The ongoing land redistribution exercise in the Eastern province has been received positively by some economists in the country. They reason that the move to supply landless people with land to farm will boost economic development. The exercise is part of the government’s policy ‘that no single farmer should own more than 50 hectares of land when others are landless’. Stevenson Nazaramba, the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) economist attached to the ministry of commerce, described the ongoing exercise as “a big step for the growth of small and medium enterprises.” He says many of these enterprises are run by peasant farmers who lack land on which to expand their business. He was optimistic that the land tittles will be used as collateral security enabling many of these businesses to apply for loans. The redistribution will make temporary land titles available with the possibility of permanent ones after one year, Nzaramba explained. Patricia Hajabakiga, state minister in charge of lands and environment, said various issues will be assessed before permanent land titles are granted to farmers. Ends
