– For agricultural lands in Region 5 

-by Kyler Rollins

More than 100 farmers in Region Five received leases on Wednesday, bringing an end to decades of uncertainty for agricultural lands they occupy. 

The leases were handed over by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha during an open day in the region, where he also highlighted the importance of the MMA-ADA scheme and its contribution to the agricultural sector.

A total of 113 farmers received agricultural land leases, marking a significant breakthrough for those who have spent decades seeking security of tenure and formal recognition of their right to occupy and cultivate the lands on which they depend for their livelihoods.

With the matter now resolved, Minister Mustapha cautioned the farmers against subletting their lands, saying that the leases are intended to benefit those who cultivate the lands.

“You got the lease now. Anyone who sublet their land we will review it. Because you continuously asked for this lease. So, I will ensure that we check and ensure that everybody work the land,” he said.

Meanwhile, as activities continue in observance of Agriculture Month, Mustapha reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing the MMA-ADA scheme, improving agricultural production and creating better opportunities for farmers.

Spanning approximately 224,365 acres, the MMA is the largest agricultural development scheme in the country supporting a range of farming activities, including rice cultivation, cash crop production and livestock rearing.

With some 7,000 farmers operating within the scheme, the minister noted that its economic benefits extend beyond the farming community, contributing to livelihoods and economic activities across the wider region.

“When you look at the indirect dependents it amounts to more, thousands more. The shopkeepers, the taxi drivers, the seamstress, the hairdresser; all those persons depend on persons where are earning in the scheme to get an income. So, when we talk about the transformation, we are not only transforming one set up people. When we make investments in this scheme its investment for the people of Region 5,” the minister explained.
As part of efforts to ease the financial burden on farmers, the government has reduced land rental fees within the scheme from $15,000 to $3,500.

Additionally, billions of dollars have been invested in clearing and maintaining hundreds of miles of drainage and irrigation canals, dams and water-control structures to strengthen the scheme’s infrastructure and improve water management for agricultural production.