Large-Scale Land-based Investments (LSLBI) platform in Malawi has recommended a community demand-driven approach in large-scale investments for socio-economic development of communities.
Speaking in Chikwawa on Thursday during a visit to Phata Cane Growers Cooperatives to appreciate guidelines that lead to successful operations, LSLBI national engagement strategy facilitator Kate Chibwana advised community members to lead in the decision-making process of the investments.
“This improves land registration systems and compliance to legislation regarding the LSLBI, including communities’ land use adherence and governance. We have reduced land conflicts between investors and communities,” she said.
Chibwana said there is need to intensify public awareness on new land-related policies and laws for smooth cooperation with investors.
Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (Cepa) representative at the platform Charles Kabambe commended Phata’s operations as effective, which has to be replicated in other districts.
In an interview, one of the farmers under Phata Cane Growers Cooperative, Reckson Fellow, said cordial working relationship with Agricane has improved their benefit from their land.
“Individually, we used to grow crops such as millet, cotton and maize that were vulnerable to the effects of climate change. We started growing sugar cane with Agricane under Phata and this has improved our lives for the better,” he said.
The cooperative, in Traditional Authority Maseya in Chikwawa, has 1 112 farmers with Agricane as professional managers and marketing of the cooperative.
