Feed the Future Tanzania Land Tenure Assistance (LTA) Monthly Report #7, June 2016

The LTA conducted detailed assessments and analysis of MAST spatial and textual data to enable the team to better assess the requirements for improved design and post-registration transactions and procedures. The arrival of androids and imagery enabled rapid progress in field preparations and configuring imagery and VLC polygons on the androids. The MAST Close Out workshop was held on June 3rd, and the Iringa Hub workshops were held in Iringa on June 8th and the LTA held a local workshop in Iringa on June 24th. The LTA is progressing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the District Land Office (DLO). Field operations in June 2016 included the receipt of archive images covering Iringa Rural from Washington on June 29th. These images are under review for the six villages, with preliminary indications that four out of the six will have cloud-free imagery that can be used. Quality checks and mosaicing of images are underway. Android tablets were procured and will be configured and ready for use in July, with the first village already configured and ready for use. A detailed review and development of the Integrated Procedures Manual (including necessary forms) is well underway. The agendas for village meetings are currently being reviewed and developed. Further visits are planned to key villages to sensitize local officials and build relationships. Field reconnaissance was conducted in Izazi and Mnadani villages, where 40 percent of the image has obliterating cloud cover. MAST/TRUST activities in June 2016 included the takeover of the AWS account for MAST by DAI, which is engaged in analyzing all the spatial and textual information. A short-term consultant, Alex Solovov, began work analyzing existing MAST software and data configurations to develop and improve MAST. Data reviews and searches relating to individual claimant profiles are showing key areas where there is a need to improve overall adjudication procedures and recording of attribute data in MAST. The LTA is also considering how to manage and address disputes as they arise and how this will be managed in the field and submitted for appropriate dispute resolution. Thought is being given to business models for post-registration and development of TRUST. Imagery acquisition has been completed for the first six villages, enabling the LTA to identify key gaps in coverages and plan ahead. Communications activities in June 2016 included the attendance of the COP and Land Administration Specialist at the MAST Close Down workshop on June 3rd in Dar es Salaam. The LTA held a Technical Workshop on June 24th with the Iringa District Council Land Office staff, CSOs, and the representative of the Ministry of Lands. The COP attended the Iringa Hub workshop in Iringa on June 8th, and the DCOP attended the 4th Annual M&E Workshop on June 29th to July 1st in Mbeya. Public outreach activities are currently being undertaken, focusing on information on procedures and advice to be given to village claimants. This includes options regarding titling arrangements, such as joint, single, and in common. This will be further developed from the messages delivered during MAST pilots and will ultimately be included in the draft procedural manual. Key project issues include the drafting of an MOU between the project and the DLO, which will cover management arrangements, roles and responsibilities, counterpart arrangements, per diems, and other issues related to change management. This will present some challenges as the LTA transitions from the MAST Pilots to a full-time technical assistance program. Deliverables for July 2016 include the submission of the Monthly Report for May 2016, comments on the draft Communications Plan received from USAID, and the submission of the draft Gender Plan to USAID. The Monitoring and Evaluation Plan is in process and due on July 29th.