Farmers to explore Africa for agriculture prospects

“Though Africa is considered politically volatile,there are nations like Tanzania,Ghana and Zimbabwe that are desperately looking for enterprising farmers who can help them cultivate their land for the rising demand of food. The farmers,our studies conclude,can reap benefits apart from providing jobs and learning options to locals,” says CII state head Gunbir Singh.

He has taken up the matter with Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur. Both have reportedly promised to do their best for the farmers looking to plough African fields. According to Gunbir,many African countries do not have dairy or poultry base and farmers from Punjab can immensely contribute in these allied agriculture activities too.

“Most countries (in Africa) get rainfall for six to nine months in a year. Some have giant rivers and superb underground aquifers. And above all,they have cultivable land holdings in thousands of acres,if not hectares,” says Gunbir,adding that the place provides a conducive climate for the farmers to thrive.

Showing interest in the report,the state had already appointed former head of Punjab Agro Export Corporation R N Gupta as its nodal officer. But Gupta was recently transferred and a new person is yet to be given the charge.

“I am taking up the issue afresh. We want the state government to respond to the gesture from African nations and frame policies to streamline the possible ‘exodus’ as many farmers are showing interest to reach out to the ‘forbidden lands’,” says Gunbir,adding that they would provide all assistance to the government to have tie-ups with the various countries.

“MoUs with these nations will not only for manpower,but also for the export of farming technology and equipment,” states the CII report. It adds that the Punjabi youth must now focus on Africa for agriculture rather than doing menial jobs in the US or Europe. The report also discusses how the landholdings in Punjab have consistently shrunk due to uneconomic cultivation levels.

Africa,it states,provides cheap labour but require framing techniques that the Punjabi farmers are well-versed with.