Government intends to offer idle  tracts of land at the proposed  cite of Bugesera international airport to landless farmers until construction works start, the State Minister for Transport has said.

Speaking to The New Times last week, Dr Alex Nzahabwanimana said at least 26,000ha of land in Ririma Sector would be given out to farmers following a request by Bugesera District authorities.

He said the move would benefit smallholder farmers and investors and make the land more productive.

"Many households had been expropriated, leaving the land redundant. Since construction works are yet to start, it is more prudent to give farmers land to engage in agricultural activities,” he said.

Dr Nzahabwanimana explained that the farmers would be given land in groups to utilise them within a period of between three and six months.

"Crops with short maturity spans  are desirable. But even if construction activities started before the crops are harvested, farmers will not be affected because the work would not begin on the whole tract of land at the same time. Part of the land would remain idle in the first phase which can still be exploited by farmers,” he added.

Farmers would sign a letting deal with the aviation body starting with agriculture season A.

The minister said the Government is still mobilising funds for the airport construction, expected to start next year.

The project will cost over $500m.

So far, only 4.4 per cent of households are still waiting for expropriation from the land gazetted for the airport, of 5,972 households which were affected.

They include those who did not have title deeds and others whose land had disputes.

He, however, noted that  the Government has since  given money to the district to compensate the land owners as soon as the issues are addressed.

Jean de Dieu Nkinzingabo, the Bugesera District agronomist, told The New Times that authorities are still registering farmers, cooperatives and groups to exploit the land.

"We have decided to grow maize, beans and soya on 26,000ha because they have a short maturity span. We are working with sectors to register cooperatives and help vulnerable families to form groups so that they can access the land. We also urge agro-dealers, youth cooperatives and field farmer promoters to come forward with commitment to exploit the land depending on their abilities,” he said.

Nkinzingabo said the district would help with tilling machinery in case farmers need them so as to enable farmers plant on time.

The district has four tilling machines, but other investors with tractors can supplement, he said.

Marie Goreth Irankunda, a grassroots leader in Ririma Sector, commended the Government for the move saying it was a timely intervention.

Louis Lwagaju, the Bugesera District mayor, said cultivating the idle land will hwlp improve people’s welfare, especially among youthful farmers and other vulnerable families.

He said farmers neighbouring the proposed airport would get first priority when the land is being distributed.

Vincent Habumuremyi, a farmer, said he was excited about the offer and is planning to apply for two hectares of land near a swamp.

"I have expressed my interest and some youth have joined me to invest with startup capital,” he said.