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South African farmers lured to new African pastures

In a development increasingly seen elsewhere on the continent, including in Zambia, Nigeria and Mozambique, the Republic of Congo will give South African farmers access to millions of hectares of farmland. The deal is one of the largest land agreements in Africa, and is part of the Congo's plan to improve food security by farming produce including maize, soy beans, poultry and dairy cattle. The South African farmers’ union Agri SA says the agreement is initially for a 30-year renewable lease. Land grabs in Zimbabwe and low-key threats of events of a similar nature back home, have seen white farmers in Africa move to other countries. Saudi Arabia and South Korea have already bought up large tracts of African land for growing food, in places as diverse as Sudan and Madagascar. The South African deal includes tax exemptions on importing agricultural inputs and the full expatriation of profits.

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