MS Zambia Newsletter June 2009

Communities fear displacement

Great uncertainty prevails among the rural villagers in Kawambwa district, as government and traditional leaders has earmarked their land to establish a farm block.

By Kawambwa District Farmer's Association

30. June 2009

In Kawambwa district the government in consultation with the local traditional leaders has earmarked vast land for establishing a farm block for sugar cane out grower scheme and plantation. According to Ministry of Agriculture, DACO’s office in Kawambwa, the land that the traditional chiefs have released is in excess of 200,000 hectares specifically broken down as follows:

This area covers a total of 211 villages with a population of 45,424 people.

The above information does not categorize the population into households, and thus does not indicate how many families are affected. It is obvious that the number of farm plots will not absorb the entire population, as indicated above, and thus there is a need to determine the effect of the farm block on the community. Kawambwa District Farmer's Association (KDFA) is therefore carrying out a baseline survey to determine the following:

1. Whether the community is aware of the existence of the farm block,

2. Whether they are ready to move if required to do so,

3. Whether they have alternative land,

4. Whether the traditional leaders have informed the community about the farm block and what plans they have for those subjects who may be required to move.

Based on the outcome of the survey, KDFA will then hold meetings with selected traditional leaders to seek their opinion, and then conduct community sensitization meetings to inform the people of our findings. Enumerators have already been sent in the field to interview 3000 households and 100 headmen in the farm block.

Kawambwa is known for its high crop productivity because of its abundance of rainfall, vast areas of wetlands suitable for irrigation farming, and a conducive weather pattern for almost any kind of crop. The main lively hood activity of the rural people in Kawambwa district is small scale farming, which makes access to land crucial.