Farmers look abroad

Over 300 white farmers from Zimbabwe have sought information on purchasing land in neighbouring Mozambique following
the occupation of more than 600 white-owned farms by war veterans and supporters of President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party.

The figure was disclosed by President Joaquim Chissano on his return from a summit of southern African leaders last Friday at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Although any large-scale emigration of Zimbabwean farmers would have to be negotiated between the two governments, Chissano told reporters:

"We are open to any investment."

He quoted immigration officials in the central Manica Province as saying at least 320 white farmers had crossed the border last week seeking to find out whether there was farming land for sale on the Mozambique side of the border.

In a related development, Reuters said Australia was preparing contingency plans to give "safe haven" visas to white Zimbabwean farmers facing expulsion from their lands.

In a dispatch from Canberra, the news agency quoted Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock as saying: "Obviously the first priority is to see if the representations that we are making, and the approach that the international community is taking, will lead to a situation where people can stay on in their homes and in their country in safety. But if the situation deteriorates and there is a need to respond, Australia has done so in other
situations generously, and we would do so here."

Meanwhile, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) said it too would welcome white farmers from Zimbabwe. Dr Maggie Kogozi, UIA executive director was quoted in local press reports as saying: "We are conducting an investment mission to South Africa and Zimbabwe next month and if we meet any white farmers they will be welcome."

Kigozi said agriculture, agro-processing, fish and horticulture were among the key sectors where the UIA was intent on bringing in large-scale commercial farmers. "We think Zimbabweans would find the facilities they need here and they will do much better here because our climate is much better than that in Zimbabwe."