The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (Minagri) plans to give arable land to private investors to boost agriculture production.

Speaking to The New Times, yesterday, Tony Nsanganira, the minister of state for agriculture, said the initiative aims to make idle land productive.

"There is land that we believe would be better utilised by the private sector, a situation that would allow us to spend less on maintenance,” Nsanganira said.

The minister said MINAGRI has about 50,000 hectares of land registered as government property countrywide that is not productive or is exploited in a disorganised way.

"Those who have well prepared business plans can be granted land to use for a certain period of time that can be renewed based on outcomes from the first period. The practice has been done for farmers’ cooperatives but I would like to urge individuals, especially those who can invest in horticulture or fish farming, to come forward with their business plans so that we can lend them land,” Nsanganira said.

Modernising agriculture is an essential part of the country’s development targets under the second phase of the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction strategies (EDPRS II).

"More private sector investments will, therefore, play a key role in ensuring that the objectives of the development agenda are realised, including creation of jobs for the youth, which will boost household incomes,” Nsanganira said.

The minister said that the land will be offered free of charge depending on the project and available infrastructure set by the government.

"For instance, where we have put in place irrigation infrastructure, we will require beneficiaries to be responsible for their maintenance. But, where such infrastructure is not there but needed, the beneficiaries will be required to set it up at their cost. Those who will not deliver on promise; we will cancel the contract and give the land to others,” he said.

Farmers welcome initiative

John Nzirumbanje, the president of Passion Fruit Promotion Ruramba, a cooperative growing passion fruits in Nyaruguru District, said the move could help them expand their farming business.

"We grow fruits on only on two hectares of land. We have always thought about expanding our acreage but land has been a challenge for us. I think the initiative would address our challenge,” Nzirumbanje said.

Jean Paul Murekezi, a crop and livestock farmer in Huye District, said the initiative could be an opportunity to boost produce.

"This would be a very good opportunity. Land is a primary element in agricultural business but its acquisition has always been a challenge for us. Once the initiative is implemented I and other farmers could be able to take advantage of the land to enhance our production,” he said.

Damien Manirakiza, a coffee grower and proprietor of Gift Coffee, a coffee shelling plant in Huye, said the initiative could be a motivation for investors in the agriculture sector.

He said: "It is always not easy for someone to decide on investing in agriculture because its regarded risky and takes long to return profits.”

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