South Africa: Farmers to rent land in Congo

The Republic of Congo has signed an agreement to lease about 200,000 hectares of land to white South African farmers, reports BBC.

Congo’s agriculture minister said it would bring expertise to the country and reduce its dependence on imports.

South African farmer’s union Agri SA, which signed the deal, said the African National Congress (ANC) land policy was forcing white farmers to rent land abroad.

The ANC is seeking to transfer some farms, overwhelmingly white owned, to the black majority population.

Under the agreement, South African farmers will lease the land for 30 years to produce food and fibres for the domestic market.