Georgia wants SA farmers

31 Dec 2010

South African farmers are being encouraged to move to the former Soviet state of Georgia and a special fact-finding trip is planned for January so that interested farmers can investigate the land that is being offered to them.
The government of Georgia has approached the Transvaal Agricultural Union in a bid to recruit local farmers and use them to create a viable commercial farming sector in that country.
Apparently much of Georgia’s agricultural capacity, knowledge and expertise were destroyed under Soviet rule and the country is now keen to rebuild its agricultural sector.
There is an estimated three million hectares of land in Georgia that has been set aside for commercial farming activity.
There are 22 African countries that have invited South African farmers to move away from South Africa and build new agricultural businesses in other parts of the continent.
Earlier this year, Georgia’s representatives visited South Africa to assess the local agricultural industry and provide a range of incentives to South African farmers to move to the country that has been troubled by sporadic outbreaks of war in recent years.
South African farming experts warn that the continued brain-drain from the local agricultural industry could have serious long-term repercussions for the country.
Mthobeli Mxotwa, a spokesman for the Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs Minister, Gugile Nkwinti said that the recruitment of South African farmers by foreign countries was a “vote of confidence” in the agricultural ability, training and skills of these people.
However, he warned that the loss of skills could threaten South Africa’s food security.
http://www.property24.com/articles/georgia-wants-sa-farmers/12906