Mike A.K CHIGOWO Minister of lands, housing and urban development Experience in implementing project on Promoting Responsible Land Governance for Sustainable Agriculture in Malawi Mike A.K CHIGOWO Minister of lands, housing and urban development
Outline Introduction Progress Success factors Challenges Lessons learnt
Introduction The project is specifically implemented to contribute to an improved land governance framework and its implementation in line with the VGGT, with particular emphasis on gender sensitive compliance regarding land tenure rights. The proj. has 2 components: (i) Capacity building (ii) pilot project at a local level Deliverables include: Land Governance Framework; Land administration and institutional strengthening plan; District land registry plan; Estate registry information and management proposal; Customary estates and registration plan; Manual to establish customary estates; Guidelines for responsible land governance; Market development study.
Progress Enacted Land Bill, Customary Land Bill, Physical Planning Bill, and Land Survey Bill in July, 2016. Six bills are yet to be enacted. Of these, Registered Land Bill and Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill may impact the project implementation. Consultants in place to provide professional and technical cooperation to the Task Force on Land Governance and assist the CSO team. Currently, engaging with the consultants and CSO team on activities that can be implemented in the absence of bills which are yet to be enacted
Success factors Political will to improve land governance in Malawi and willingness of stakeholders to participate in the process. Existing, functioning multi-stakeholder platform on land governance. Government and other stakeholders are committed to use the VGGT.
Challenges Limited sharing of information and lessons from implementation of land governance programmes. While stakeholders are increasingly become aware of the VGGT, they have limited understanding on how to use them in practice. Partial enactment of land related laws in a package of legal framework which consist of complementary pieces of legislation.
Lessons learnt Establishment of a multi-stakeholder platform to address tenure issues (LGAF/VGGT platform) improved coordination among stakeholders and developed their capacities to actively engage in the governance processes. Sensitization of targeted stakeholders through awareness– raising platforms increases their understanding and engagement in securing tenure rights. Capacities of decentralized structures and the effectiveness of land administration are key factors in ensuring the success of land governance processes.