SA farmers to rent land in Congo

Brazzaville, 21 Oct-(ANA)-The Republic of Congo has signed an agreement to lease 200,000 hectares of land to South African farmers.

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

South African farmers' union Agri SA, which signed the deal, said the ANC government's land policy was forcing white farmers to seek land abroad.

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

Under the terms of the agreement, South African farmers will lease the land in Congo for 30 years to produce food and fibre mainly for the domestic market. (ANA)

FA/ANA/21 October 2009---