He downplayed criticisms that the land leasing has ‘brought negative impacts on the communities who live close to the farms’, claiming that ‘due emphasis has been given to make these investments free of adverse effect on the society who dwell close to them and this would continue in strengthened manner’. 
Afisa kutoka Wizara ya Kilimo alipuuza ukosoaji huo kwamba ugawaji wa ardhi ‘umeleta athari hasi kwa jamii iliyokuwa ikiishi karibu na mashamba’, akidai kwamba ‘umakini wa pekee umewekwa kuufanya uwekezaji huu usiwe na madhara kwa jamii inayoishi karibu na mashamba hayo na hatua hii itaendelea kwa mtindo ulioimarika’.