Feed the Future, USAID Tanzania Land Tenure Assistance (LTA) Monthly Report September 2019

The program began in 2012 with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The LTA program is implemented by DAI, in partnership with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlement Development (MLHHSD), and other local organizations. The program's primary objective is to support the development of a secure and equitable land tenure system in Tanzania. To achieve this goal, the LTA program focuses on several key areas, including land use planning, village land certification, and dispute resolution. The program also places a strong emphasis on stakeholder participation and community engagement, working closely with local government officials, village representatives, and residents to ensure that land tenure issues are addressed in a fair and transparent manner. In September 2019, the LTA program conducted a series of field visits to villages in Iringa and Mbeya regions, where program staff met with village residents and demonstrated the use of the Mobile Application for Secure Tenure (MAST) system. The MAST system is a mobile-based platform that enables villagers to access and manage their land tenure information, including land use plans and certificates. The program also made significant progress in implementing land use plans and village land certification in both Iringa and Mbeya regions. In Iringa, 12 villages had completed their land use plans, while 10 villages had received their village land certificates. In Mbeya, 8 villages had completed their land use plans, and 6 villages had received their village land certificates. In addition to land use planning and certification, the LTA program also focused on dispute resolution and village boundary rectification. In September 2019, the program resolved 15 disputes related to land tenure, and 10 villages had completed their boundary rectification activities. The LTA program also places a strong emphasis on cross-cutting issues, including women's empowerment and youth participation. In September 2019, the program conducted training sessions for women and youth on land tenure and management, and 75% of participants were women. The program's implementation challenges in September 2019 included delays in the completion of land use plans and village land certification, as well as difficulties in accessing some villages due to poor road conditions. However, the program's staff and partners worked closely together to address these challenges and ensure that the program's objectives were met. Overall, the LTA program made significant progress in September 2019, with notable achievements in land use planning, village land certification, and dispute resolution. The program's focus on stakeholder participation and community engagement has helped to build trust and confidence among rural communities in Tanzania, and has contributed to the development of a more secure and equitable land tenure system.