By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, May 5, Mana: On Monday, 1,228 coffee farmers from Phoka in Rumphi were issued customary land certificates to safeguard permanent ownership of their land.

According to District Commissioner for Rumphi, Emmanuel Bulukutu said the certificates will not only ensure legal ownership of the land but will also reduce land disputes in the area.

"The certificates will also be catalysts to enhancing sanity and peace in land administration in this area which experiences a lot of land wrangles,” said Bulukutu.

He added that land inheritance will also be easier as the certificates are legally binding, hence will be easily passed on from one generation to the next.

“This initiative additionally empowers people to invest in agricultural commercialization and industrialization to manage their land for agriculture productivity,” he said.

Deputy Director for Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Lands, Ruth Banda said that she was pleased to see women owning land legally in patrilineal systems across the country including Rumphi District.

One of the recipients of the certificates, Patricia Mwembe of Fwira Village under Senior Traditional Authority Kachulu said she was happy to own a piece of land legally.

"No one including my brother can take away this land from me," said Mwembe.

Kachulu said the certificates will act as evidence of land ownership hence reducing land ownership disputes in his area.