Land policy must reward use, not only possession

DAR ES SALAAM: FOR too long now, vast stretches of land in some regions including Tanga have lain idle under the guise of investment and nobody seems to be developing them.

With this in mind, we support the government’s firm directive to review land contracts for dormant farms and see into it that they are developed.

The decision has nothing to do with politics, but sheerly aimed at reclaiming idle agricultural estates that have remained undeveloped for years and signals a serious policy shift: Land must be used productively or returned to the public.

This move comes in response to a troubling trend. Investors, both local and foreign, have acquired large swathes of fertile land, only to leave them untouched year after year. Such negligence not only undermines national development goals but deprives communities of economic opportunities, food production and job creation.

We must admit that land is one of the country’s most valuable assets. In a country where agriculture employs the majority of the population and plays a central role in GDP, allowing productive land to lie fallow is unacceptable. The new review process seeks to ensure that land allocation is not merely symbolic but tied directly to performance and accountability.

Here, the Ministry of Agriculture, working alongside the Attorney General’s Office, has been tasked with scrutinising contracts, identifying breaches and advising on how to legally reclaim these estates for more productive use. This is not just a legal exercise, but a policy statement. The days of speculative landholding are over.

Investors who treat land titles as trophies or speculative assets must understand that land allocation is a privilege, not a guarantee. It comes with expectations: Development, investment and community impact. Those who fail to deliver on their commitments risk losing access and that is plain and simple.

This initiative should serve as a national wake-up call. Land must be matched with purpose. The government has a duty to ensure that agricultural development is not hindered by absentee ownership or underutilisation. Reclaimed estates should be repurposed strategically and that is whether for smallholder schemes, youth cooperatives, or serious investors who can demonstrate capacity and intent.

But accountability must cut both ways. As the state moves to enforce performance standards, it must also provide a clear and transparent framework for land use expectations. Investors need guidance, timelines and support not just warnings. A fair and firm approach is key to restoring balance.

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Moreover, transparency in the review and reallocation process will be critical to maintaining public trust. Communities near these idle farms deserve to be informed and, where possible, involved in determining the land’s future.

Ultimately, this policy is not about punishment-it is about potential. Tanzania cannot afford to let valuable resources sit unused while hunger, unemployment and rural underdevelopment persist. Active land, not passive ownership, is what drives progress.