By Jones Gadama
Blantyre, Malawi – The Ministry of Lands has engaged with pioneer land clerks in Blantyre, highlighting the country’s progress in land reform.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Davie Chilonga, shared insights on the significant strides Malawi has made in this area.
Speaking to MaraviPost online publication, Chilonga emphasized the importance of the Customary Land Act (CLA) enacted in 2016.
“The Customary Land Act was enacted, enabling smallholder farmers to convert their customary land rights to private land rights with registered title, increasing tenure security and potentially leading to increased investment in land improvements,” he said.
Chilonga noted that these land reforms aim to address critical issues of land access, tenure security, and land governance in Malawi.
“These land reforms aim to ensure that Malawians have secure access to land, which is essential for their livelihoods and economic development,” he added.
The Ministry’s efforts have not gone unnoticed internationally.
Chilonga revealed that the government of Madagascar has expressed interest in learning from Malawi’s experiences.
“Malawi has made significant effort in this regard, prompting the Madagascar government to send representatives later this year to learn more about our land reform initiatives,” he said.
This development underscores Malawi’s position as a leader in land reform in the region.
The engagement with pioneer land clerks is part of the Ministry’s efforts to consolidate gains and identify areas for further improvement.
The Customary Land Act has been instrumental in empowering smallholder farmers, providing them with secure land rights and encouraging investment in land improvements.
Chilonga emphasized that this has the potential to boost agricultural productivity and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
As Malawi continues to refine its land governance systems, the Ministry of Lands remains committed to ensuring that land reforms benefit all Malawians.
The upcoming visit by Madagascar’s representatives will provide an opportunity for knowledge sharing and collaboration on land reform initiatives.
Chilonga expressed optimism about the potential for regional cooperation and knowledge sharing. “We are happy to share our experiences and lessons learned with other countries, and we look forward to learning from them as well,” he said.
The engagement with pioneer land clerks is a significant step towards consolidating Malawi’s land reform progress.
As the country continues to navigate the complexities of land governance, the Ministry of Lands remains focused on ensuring that land reforms contribute to the well-being of all Malawians.
