Boers and other foreign farmers in Georgia | ბურები და სხვა საგარეო ფერმერებს

[Kokoity]

Южноафриканские буры в Грузии

Пока Европа продолжает принимать у себя из Африки негров, которые и слова такого "работа" не знают, власти Грузии подписали Договор о намерениях с бурской Организацией фермеров ЮАР, в которой состит 41 тысяча фермерских хозяйств (около 150 тысяч человек). Главная цель - переселение по крайней мере части этих фермеров у Грузию, где им дадут землю под обработку и налоговые льготы.
Причем, первая бурская семья уже переехала в Грузию!

http://svpressa.ru/society/article/32180/

[Kokoity]

[Kokoity]

Boer farmers head for new home in Georgia
Facing the threat of land reform, white South Africans are looking to pastures new

By Shaun Walker in Moscow
Tuesday, 9 November 2010

South Africa and Georgia have little in common aside from a tradition of wine-making and a turbulent recent history. But a group of white South African farmers say starting a new life in the former Soviet state could be the solution to their troubles at home.

South Africa's 40,000 white farmers, mainly Boers – descendants from Dutch settlers – say they fear that South Africa's government is threatening their livelihoods with land-reform policies. When they first came to Africa, the Boer Voortrekkers, or pioneers, left coastal colonies to forge a path to the interior of the country in search of fertile land. Now some of their descendants believe the answer to their problems might lie thousands of miles away in the Caucasus.

In what would be an extraordinary migration, the Georgian government has invited South Africa's farmers to buy up land in the country for next to nothing in exchange for bringing their expertise and knowledge of modern farming methods.

Papuna Davitaya, Georgia's State Minister for Diaspora, said: "We are looking for investors in our agricultural sphere, because Georgia historically always used to be an agricultural country but in Soviet times we lost these traditions."

He welcomed a delegation of South African farmers to the country recently and gave them guarantees about what they could expect if they made the move. "Boers are some of the best farmers in the world," Mr Davitaya said.

Last week, dozens of farmers attended a union meeting in Pretoria about a potential move to Georgia. A committee from the union plans to lay the groundwork in the coming months, and then co-ordinate a larger migration.

Hendrik Mills, a Boer farmer, told ABN television: "I think there are great prospects for farmers out there. It would be much better to invest money in Georgia than in Africa."

For many of the Boer farmers, whose ancestors settled in southern Africa 200 years ago, it would be tough to leave their ancestral homeland. But they say their lives are getting harder every month, citing fears of crime, violence, labour costs and land reform.

Piet Kemp, who is keen to emigrate, said: "We will start with 10 or 20 farmers, but I think there could be more than 1,000 farmers who could make a good life in Georgia."

Georgia's government hopes that importing farming expertise will boost the country's agricultural and wine sectors. Georgia has produced wine for centuries, but most of it is semi-sweet and not very popular in Europe. Georgian wines were well-liked in Russia but a political dispute between the two countries led to Moscow banning all imports. Georgians will perhaps be hoping that if the scheme works, they will also benefit from some of the success South African wines enjoy.

But adjusting to Georgia might prove tricky for Boer farmers. The Georgian language is hard to learn. And there are no direct flights to Africa from the country. Not only that, but the climates in the two countries are completely different, as are farming methods.

Yet Mr Kemp insisted that he and others were ready to try it. "I don't want to come and make a new South Africa in Georgia," he said. "If I am going, I will be a Georgian."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...a-2128794.html

[Kokoity]

Boers to make investments in Georgia`s soil
19.01.11
World`s number one farmers are exploring Georgia`s potential. Boers or the Dutch, who have 4-century experience of farming, intend to make investments in Georgia`s soil.
The Boers intend to make investments in the agriculture sector of Georgia, until the end of 2011. The Europeans with great experience of farming, who settled in Africa in 17th century, have already undertaken to explore Georgia`s potential. Reportedly, the foreign investors intend to make investments in the field of cattle-breeding at fist.
Georgian State Minister signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Agrarian Union of South Africa. Papuna Davitaia, who arrived in Johannesburg to attend the presentation of memories of Niko Bagrationi, same Niko Boer, met local farmers there and got acquainted with their plans regarding Georgia. The first point of the memorandum says that the Dutch farmers will share their experience to Georgians and carry out specific projects in the country.
The Boer farmers have already arrived in Georgia. They have travelled to Kakheti Region in Eastern Georgia and started exploring the local soil there.
Georgia is not the first country, where Boers are striving to revive the agriculture. They have already turned farming into a profitable business in Argentine`s inhabited soils.

http://rustavi2.com/news/news_text.p...main&ct=0&wth=

SA Farmers in Georgia
http://www.boers.ge

[GeorgianFan]

Boers are one of the best farmers

[sandro_]

Originally Posted by GeorgianFan

Boers are one of the best farmers

and one of the best rugby players!

[GeorgianFan]

GEORGIA SHOWS PROGRESS WITH DYNAMIC AGRICULTURE PROJECT

The empty political promises of peace, security and prosperity of not long ago from an already vanished political party will necessarily emerge as anybody watches developments in Georgia. One cannot help wondering whether they might have thought about Georgia.

The favorable conditions under which investors in Georgia can invest should be taken notice of. This applies not only to primary agriculture, but also to other sectors of the economy. A government that is positive and takes dynamic future driven decisions may be one of the strongest aspects that make the difference. Stimulating tax policies to encourage production rather than putting a damper on entrepreneurs has been implemented. About 7 years ago there was more crime and corruption in Georgia as currently in South Africa. An act by a government who is determined to fight crime has completely turned around the situation so much so that, for example, single women can walk through dark parks at night without fear of assault. According to Transparency International Georgia is placed first internationally with the reduction of corruption in their country.

The agreement between the government of Georgia and TAU SA to help turning the the negative impact of socialism and communism in the agricultural sector, is showing it first successes. The general manager of TAU SA, Bennie van Zyl is currently there for a period of three months during which a study of the conditions are made. Prof Koos de la Rey and dr. Ben Stander will join him early in January. Many farmers who no longer seen an opportunity to produce food in South Africa as well as other persons are very interested to go there to make investments.

In order for interested parties to get a clearer view on agricultural opportunities, there will be two information tours information. The first will be from January 24 to 29 and the second from 7 - 11 February 2011. More details are available on the website www.boers.ge and the necessary entry form is also available. The closing date for registration both tours is 13 January 2011.

http://www.tlu.co.za/

[StormShadow]

Very interesting!

[Kokoity]

Südafrikas Farmer zieht es nach Georgien
Kaukasus lockt mit Subventionen - Bald schon könnten Tausende auswandern

Weiße Bauern fürchten um ihre Existenz, weil die Regierung in Pretoria den schwarzen Siedlern ihr Land zurückgeben will

Südafrikas weiße Farmer könnten schon bald Kaukasier sein. Burische Wein- und Ackerbauern tragen sich jedenfalls mit dem Gedanken, ihr Heimatland zu verlassen und in Georgien ein neues Leben zu beginnen. In der südafrikanischen Presse ist bereits von einem möglichen Exodus der Nachfahren holländischer Siedler die Rede - und nicht viele scheinen darüber traurig zu sein. Südafrika habe seinen Platz auf dem Weltmarkt, die Nachricht vom Weggang der Weißen sollte niemanden alarmieren, so eine Regierungserklärung.

Georgien dagegen versucht nahezu alles, um die mit viel Know-how, landwirtschaftlicher Erfahrung und Kapital ausgestatteten Bauern für sich zu begeistern: Auf Einladung der georgischen Regierung hat im November eine 15-köpfige südafrikanische Delegation das Land besucht und sich anschließend in einer fast zehnseitigen Analyse zwar auch kritisch, doch insgesamt positiv überrascht geäußert. Zwar sei die Landwirtschaft wenig effektiv, dafür der Boden fruchtbar, die Kultur wunderbar, die Sicherheitslage besser als erwartet und die Infrastruktur im Werden. "Ich finde, es lohnt sich viel mehr, in Georgien als in Südafrika zu investieren", befand Farmer Hendrik Mills nach seinem Besuch.

Dass die Georgier ihr Land mit viel Nationalstolz betrachteten, fand besondere Erwähnung der Delegation. Und auch, dass der russische Einfluss verschwindend gering sei. "Georgien ist vom Sozialismus auferstanden", titelte nach dem Besuch das "Landbou-Magasin", das südafrikanische Pendant zum "Bauernblatt" in Deutschland.

Initiator des geplanten Auszugs ist die Burenorganisation TLU SA (Tranvaalse Landbou Unie - South Africa), eine landwirtschaftliche Interessenvereinigung, deren Selbstdarstellung nationalistisch bis rassistisch gefärbt ist. Im vergangenen Jahr verlangte die TLU SA etwa die Verhaftung des Anführers der ANC-Jugend, Julius Madema, und geißelte die Landreformen als Enteignung nach simbabwischem Muster. Die Rückgabe weißen Farmlands werde zu anarchischen Zuständen wie in Simbabwe führen und die südafrikanische Landwirtschaft ruinieren, prognostizierte sie.

20 000 weiße Farmer gibt es in Südafrika. Die meisten davon fürchten um ihre Existenz, seit die südafrikanische Regierung im Zuge von Landreformen beschloss, das Land den Schwarzen zurückzugeben und die weißen Farmer auszuzahlen. Die hohe Kriminalitätsrate und rapide steigende Lohnkosten lassen die Zukunft nicht rosiger erscheinen. Bennie Van Zyl, der Vorsitzende der TLU SA und Vater der Georgien-Idee, sieht in Georgien daher so etwas wie das Gelobte Land. "Die Perspektiven für Farmer sind hier hervorragend. Und es ist nur neun Stunden Flugzeit entfernt."

Tatsächlich sind Klima und Boden Georgiens für Weinbauern ideal, auch war Georgien zu Sowjetzeiten ein wichtiges Obstanbaugebiet. Seit dem Ende der Sowjetunion aber besteht die georgische Landwirtschaft größtenteils aus Subsistenzwirtschaft, und der süße georgische Wein, der noch wie vor Jahrhunderten verarbeitet wird, hat es nicht auf den europäischen Markt geschafft. Die Südafrikaner werden dort als dringend erforderliches Expertenteam gesehen, um der georgischen Landwirtschaft einen entscheidenden Schub zu geben. "Historisch ist Georgien ein Agrarland. Doch während der Sowjetzeit haben wir diese Tradition verloren, und wir wollen sie gerne wieder zurückgewinnen", erklärt Papuna Davitaya, georgischer Minister für Angelegenheiten der Diaspora, das Interesse seiner Regierung an der Aktion.

Als der englische "Independent" im November einen Artikel über die Migrationspläne der südafrikanischen Farmer veröffentlichte, meldeten sich sogleich etliche Georgier, die den Südafrikanern gerne ihr Land verkaufen würden. Die georgische Regierung aber hatte bereits ein unschlagbares Angebot vorgelegt. 80 000 Hektar will sie für die Südafrikaner bereitstellen, rund 35 Euro pro Hektar sollen diese bezahlen. Das ist ein Bruchteil des Landpreises in Südafrika. Und schon befürchtet die Opposition, man würde den Fremden nun auch die Filetstücke in den Rachen werfen, während die Einheimischen auf die schlechte Scholle verbannt würden.

Bereits im August des vergangenen Jahres hatten Georgien und die TLU SA eine Organisation mit dem Namen "Nico the boer" begründet, deren Ziel es ist, Beziehungen zu Investoren herzustellen. Für afrikanische Interessenten hat die georgische Regierung zudem eine Webseite mit Informationen über alles Georgische eingerichtet. Besonders die gute Sicherheitslage und die Effektivität der Polizei wird dort hervorgehoben, ebenso die erfolgreiche Bekämpfung der Korruption. Den Südafrikanern gefällt dies ebenso wie das Versprechen, dass auf landwirtschaftliche Primärprodukte keine Steuer erhoben wird. Zunächst, so sagt der Farmer Piet Kemp, der mit seinen 63 Jahren zu den Ältesten unter den Auswanderern gehört, würden 20 Farmer nach Georgien gehen, doch mehr als tausend könnten ihnen folgen. "Wenn ich komme, dann will ich ein Georgier sein.

http://www.welt.de/print/die_welt/po...-Georgien.html

Original from german newspaper "Welt"

South African farmers are attracted to Georgia
Caucasus attracted by subsidies - could migrate thousands Soon

White farmers fear for their livelihoods, because the government in Pretoria will return the black settlers, their land

South Africa's white farmers could soon be Caucasian. Wine and Boer farmers who in any case with the thought of leaving their home country and start a new life in Georgia. In the South African press already about a possible exodus of the descendants of Dutch settlers, the speech - and not many seem to be sad about it. South Africa has its place on the world market, the news of the departure of whites should alarm anyone, according to a government statement.

Georgia tries, however almost everything to inspire a lot of know-how, agricultural experience and capital-equipped farmers for themselves: At the invitation of the Georgian government in November, a 15-member South African delegation visited the country and then in an almost ten-page analysis even critical, but overall expressed positive surprise. Although agriculture is not very effective, but fertile soil, wonderful culture, the security situation better than expected and the infrastructure in the making. "I think it's worth much more to invest in Georgia than in South Africa," Farmer Hendrik Mills was after his visit.

The fact that the Georgians viewed their country with great national pride, was special mention of the delegation. And also that the Russian influence is minimal. "Georgia has risen from socialism," wrote after visiting the "Landbou-Magasin, the South African equivalent of the" peasant Journal "in Germany.

Initiator of the proposed statement, the organization Buren TLU SA (Tranvaalse Landbou Unie - South Africa) is an agricultural interest group, whose self-presentation is colored by nationalist racist. Last year, demanded the TLU SA about the arrest of the leader of the ANC Youth, Julius Madema, and castigated the land reforms in Zimbabwe as expropriation pattern. The return of white farm land would lead to anarchy and ruin, as in Zimbabwe, the South African agriculture, it forecast.

there are 20 000 white farmers in South Africa. Most of them fear for their livelihoods, since the South African government in the wake of land reforms decided to return the land to the blacks and pay the white farmers. The high crime rate and rapidly rising labor costs make the future seem brighter. Bennie van Zyl, the president of the TLU SA and father of the idea of Georgia provides in Georgia, therefore, something like the Promised Land. "The outlook for farmers here are excellent. And it's just nine hours flying time away."

In fact, Georgia's climate and soil are ideal for wine, even in Soviet times Georgia was an important fruit growing region. Since the end of the Soviet Union but the Georgian Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming, and the sweet Georgian wine, which is still being processed as in centuries past, has not made it to the European market. The South Africans are seen there as a much-needed team of experts to give the Georgian agriculture a major boost. "Historically, Georgia is an agrarian country. But during the Soviet period we have lost this tradition, and we want to win back happy again," said Papuna Davitaya, Georgian Minister for Diaspora Affairs, the interest of his government in this action.

As the British Independent newspaper in November published an article on migration plans of the South African farmer, came forward at once many Georgians who would sell the South Africans love their country. The Georgian government, however, had already submitted an unbeatable offer. 80 000 hectares it has earmarked for the South Africans, around 35 € per hectare should pay for them. That is a fraction of the price of land in South Africa. And already the opposition is concerned, it would throw the stranger now the fillets in the throat, while the locals were banished to the poor soil.

Back in August of last year, Georgia and the TLU SA had founded an organization called "Nico the boer", whose aim is to establish relationships with investors. For African prospects, the Georgian government has also set up a website with information on everything Georgian. Especially the good security situation and the effectiveness of the police is highlighted there, as well as the successful fight against corruption. South Africans like this as well as the promise that is levied on primary agricultural products do not control. First, says the farmer Piet Kemp, who with his 63 years to the elders among the emigrants, 20 farmers would go to Georgia, but more than a thousand could follow them. "When I come, I want to be a Georgian.

სამხრეთ აფრიკის ფერმერებს იზიდავთ საქართველოში
კავკასიის მიერ მოზიდული დაფინანსება - შესაძლოა მალე მიგრაცია ათასობით

თეთრი ფერმერების შიშობენ Uh თქვენი არსებობა, რადგან ხელისუფლების Pretoria იღუპება შავი დასახლებებს დაბრუნება თქვენი ქვეყანა

სამხრეთ აფრიკის თეთრი ფერმერი შესაძლოა მალე კავკასიელები მისი. Burisch ღვინო და ფერმერები, რომლებიც ნებისმიერ შემთხვევაში ეგონა თქვენს სამშობლოში გაემგზავრება MIT საქართველოში ახალი ცხოვრების დასაწყებად და. სამხრეთ აფრიკის პრესა უკვე ცოდნა შეიძლება Exodus საქართველოს შთამომავლები ჰოლანდიის დასახლებებს იღუპება ამ სიტყვის - ბევრი არ ჩანს, ეს სამწუხარო ამის შესახებ. და სამხრეთ აფრიკის აქვს თავისი ადგილი მსოფლიო ბაზარზე, იღუპება მიერ გაუწია თეთრების გაგზავნა უნდა პირთა ვინმეს, მთავრობის განცხადებაში.

საქართველო ცდილობს, თუმცა თითქმის ყველაფერი, um იღუპება, რომელზეც ბევრი ვიცი, როგორ, სასოფლო "გამოცდილება და კაპიტალის აღჭურვილი ფერმერებს ენთუზიაზმით საკუთარ თავს: მიწვევით საქართველოს მთავრობის ქუდი ნოემბრის 15 კაციანი დელეგაცია ქვეყანაში ვიზიტი სამხრეთ აფრიკაში და აქვს სწრაფი ათი გვერდის მერე ანალიზი თუმცა ასევე კრიტიკული, მაგრამ მთლიანობაში დადებითი მოულოდნელი გამოთქვა. SEI die სოფლის მეურნეობის ნაკლებად ეფექტურია, ეს არის ნიადაგის ნოყიერი, კვდება კულტურის შესანიშნავ, die უსაფრთხოების მდგომარეობა უკეთესი როგორც მთელი რიცხვი, თუმცა და იღუპება ინფრასტრუქტურის მიღების. "ვფიქრობ, ღირს უფრო მეტი, ვიდრე საქართველოში სამხრეთ აფრიკაში ინვესტირებას, "Mills ფერმერი ჰენდრიკ იყო ვიზიტის შემდეგ.

სიკვდილს ქართველები თქვენი ქვეყნის ეროვნული სიამაყე ვთქვათ, უფრო მეტი, ნაპოვნია სპეციალური ნახსენები დელეგაცია. და მდედრობითი, vanishingly იცით, რომ რუსეთის გავლენა დაბალი SEI. "საქართველო არის სანდო სოციალიზმის აღდგა", სათაურით მიერ სტუმარი "Landbou-Magasin", სამხრეთ აფრიკის მხარდამჭერები "გლეხი Journal" გერმანია.

შემოთავაზებული განაცხადი ინიციატორი die ბორ ორგანიზაციის TLU SA (Tranvaalse Landbou georgia საქართველო - სამხრეთ აფრიკა) სასოფლო ინტერესის ჯგუფი, რომლის თვითმმართველობის წარმომადგენლობითი ნაციონალისტური დაბურული შუშები. რასისტული წლამდე, გასულ წელს მოითხოვა იღუპება TLU SA შესახებ სიკვდილს დაპატიმრება ლიდერი ANC ახალგაზრდული, იულიუს Madema, და castigated მიწის რეფორმის Zimbabwe იღუპება, როგორც ჩამორთმევა ნიმუში. დაბრუნების თეთრი მეურნეობა ქვეყანაში შეიძლება ანარქია in Zimbabwe, როგორც სახელმძღვანელო და ჩაშლის სოფლის მეურნეობის, სამხრეთ აფრიკის რესპუბლიკა პროგნოზით იგი იღუპება.

20 000 თეთრი ფერმერების არსებობს სამხრეთ აფრიკაში. ყველაზე რეგიონალური ბანკები შიშობენ Uh თქვენი არსებობა, რადგან მთავრობის die სამხრეთ აფრიკის დიუმი მატარებლები მიწის რეფორმის მიიღო და ქვეყნის Blacks დაბრუნება ღრუს იღუპება ფერმერი გადახდილი თეთრი. high დანაშაულის დონე და იზრდება სახელფასო ხარჯები შეიძლება სწრაფად იღუპება მომავალში ჩანს rosier არა. Bennie ვან Zyl და თავმჯდომარის TLU SA მამა საქართველოს იდეა ხედავს საქართველოში მუშაობს რაღაც მსგავსი აღთქმული მიწა. "პერსპექტივები ფერმერებს შესანიშნავი აქ. და ეს მხოლოდ ცხრა საათის ფრენის დროს დაშორებული."

ფაქტობრივად, მწარმოებლებსა არიან კლიმატი და ნიადაგი საქართველოს იდეალურია, ძალიან, ომი საქართველოს საბჭოთა დროს მნიშვნელოვანი ხილის მზარდი რეგიონია. დასასრულს საბჭოთა კავშირის DM მაგრამ კვდება წლიდან საქართველოს სოფლის მეურნეობის მეტწილად საქართველოს საარსებო საფერმერო, და ტკბილი ქართული ღვინო, და ასევე საუკუნის წინ დამუშავებული როგორ ქუდი არ არის მსგავსი გამოქვაბულში ევროპასთან მოახერხა ბაზარზე. სამხრეთ აფრიკელებმა არიან დორტმუნდი სასწრაფო ექსპერტები ნახა "საქართველოს სოფლის მეურნეობის მნიშვნელოვანი thrust მისცეს um. "ისტორიულად, საქართველო არის სოფლის მეურნეობის ქვეყანა. მაგრამ საბჭოთა პერიოდში, ჩვენ ეს ტრადიცია დაკარგა, და ჩვენ გვინდა დავიბრუნოთ თქვენთვის "განაცხადა პაპუნა დავითაია, საქართველოს საგარეო საქმეთა მინისტრმა დიასპორის საქმეთა ინტერესი, მთავრობის seiners in action.

როგორც ინგლისური "დამოუკიდებელი" ნოემბრის სტატია die მიგრაციის გეგმავს სამხრეთ აფრიკის ფერმერი გამოაქვეყნა, მოვიდა წინ ერთბაშად ბევრი ქართველი იღუპება ღრუს სამხრეთ აფრიკელებმა დიდი სიამოვნებით მიწა ისი. საქართველოს ხელისუფლება სთავაზობს უკვე unbeatable წარმოდგენილი. 80 000 იქნება ჰა, იგი ამისთვის სამხრეთ აფრიკელებმა იღუპება განათავსოს, € ჰექტარზე დავდგეთ ამ 35 ანაზღაურებისა რაუნდი. ეს არის ფრაქცია მიწის ფასის სამხრეთ აფრიკაში. და შიში Schön die ოპოზიციის კაცი რომ მღვიმეში ტურიზმის nun ასევე ფილე დაიღუპა ყელის, გადაყარეთ დროს die მოსახლეობას მოსწონს კვდება ღარიბი clod იქნება გააძევეს.

უკან აგვისტოში გასული წლის სანამ საქართველო და იღუპება TLU SA, ორგანიზაციის DM Namur "ნიკო დენ ბორ" გამართლებული რომლის მიზანია აღნიშნავდეს ახალგაზრდული წარმოება. ქირავდება აფრიკის პერსპექტიული ქუდი სამთავრობო იღუპება საქართველოს ასევე ვებ ინფორმაციას საქართველოს ყველა დაფუძნდა . განსაკუთრებით კარგი უსაფრთხოების მდგომარეობაზე და იღუპება die ეფექტურობის პოლიცია იქ აღნიშნა, უბრალოდ მოკვდება წარმატებული ბრძოლა კორუფციის წინააღმდეგ. სამხრეთ აფრიკელებმა იღუპება მსგავსად ასევე პირობა არის dass დაეცა შეეხება სამეურნეო პროდუქციის დაიბეგრება. პირველი, ეს ამბობს ფერმერი Piet Kemp, რომელიც 63 წელი მისი უხუცესებს ერთი იმიგრანტები, ფერმერი 20 საქართველო გადასვლა ათასზე მეტი, მაგრამ მათ შეეძლოთ შედეგად. "თუ მე მოვედი, მე მაშინ ქართველები თავის.

Translation

[Kokoity]

SOME GEORGEAN FARMERS AGREE TO HAVE JOINT BUSINESS WITH BOERS
02 February 2011

Boers’ first delegation arrived in Georgia in November. They visited Kakheti and Samegrelo. At the Ministry of Diaspora they said that the South Africans liked Georgia; the land is of good quality and setting up of big farms is feasible.
They first checked the land fertility in the village of Talaveri of Bolnisi district. Talaveri is a village inhabited by a over ten thousand Azeri nationals. As soon as they saw the foreigners, the whole village went out and when they learnt the reason of South Africans’ arrival, they couldn’t hide their discontent. Tofik Sharipov, the local inhabitant said that they had small lands and could scarcely earn enough and the village dwellers would not like resettlement of new people.
Tofik Sharipov: ‘I don’t think the people will agree to this because we live a poor life here. We survive by growing vegetables, potatoes, beans. All the available fertile lands were sold in previous years.
Tsalka was the Boers’ next stop. The guests checked the soil by their hands.
Inc Foster (member of South African delegation): ‘Local climate differs from ours but it’s possible to have good harvest here. As we see, the prospects are good. Taxes are low. It’s very difficult for us to leave our country but we have no other way out.’
Beni Van Zil (member of South African delegation): ‘There is no sense in coming here without money. To this end we are going to make big investments here. What’s more, local authorities promise assistance. We have big experience in farming and are going to buy large areas here. When we set up big farms, we’ll employ local population. If everything works well, we’ll export our product’.
Nika Avaliani (Deputy Minister of Diaspora issues): ‘We think several big farms will be set up. The Boers are now exploring what to grow and where; what will be profitable. Besides, they are exploring market as well; where to sell the products. Geographical location of Georgia is more convenient than that of South Africa - export can be made to many countries.’
Mikheil Sokhadze (UN food and agricultural Project manager): ‘Bringing Boers here is a good idea. Not 40 thousand families at once; but if about one thousand people arrive and set up farms, it will be ok. Georgians will study a lot from them because Boers have great experience in agriculture.’
The Boers left Georgia without revealing their final decision to the hosts. ‘We don’t know how soon the response will follow. We’ve shown them places and now it’s up to them to decide whether to bring their business here or not’, - they say at the Ministry of Diaspora. As it turned out, several Georgian farmers expressed interest to set up joint farms with Boers and they even offered their own lands. Third group of Boer farmers is expected at the Ministry of Diaspora in February.

http://georgianjournal.ge/index.php?...onomy&Itemid=6

[Kokoity]

Belangstelling in toere na Georgië groot
Geskryf deur Administrator
Vrydag, 14 Januarie 2011
Die belangstelling in die eerste twee toere wat aangebied word vir persone wat na die investeringsopsies in Georgië wil kom kyk het ongekende belangstelling uitgelok.
Na aanleiding van al die navrae ontvang word ‘n derde toer beplan vir die week van 21 – 25 Februarie. Die inskrywingsvorm vir die toer is op die webblad www.boers.ge en is die sluitingsdatum vir die toer op 7 Februarie 2011.
Vir alle navrae kan ‘n e-pos gestuur word na bennievz@gmail.com

Major Interested in tours to Georgia

Unpredicted interest was experienced in the first two tours being offered to persons who want to investigate investments options in Georgia.

Following all the inquiries received a third tour will be planned for the week of February 21 to 25. The entry form for the tour is available on the website www.boers.ge and the closing date for the tour is on February 7, 2011.

For all inquiries, an e-mail can be sent to bennievz@gmail.com

http://www.tlu.co.za/index.php?optio...6:jongste-nuus

მთავარი დაინტერესდა ტურები საქართველოში

Unpredicted ინტერესი გამოცდილი პირველი ორი ტური მიმდინარეობს შესთავაზა პირებს, რომელთაც სურთ, გამოიძიოს ინვესტიციების პარამეტრების საქართველოში.

შემდეგ ყველა მოთხოვნების მიღებული მესამე ტური იქნება დაგეგმილი კვირას 21 თებერვალს 25. შესვლის ფორმა ტური შესაძლებელია ვებ www.boers.ge და დახურვის თარიღი ტური 7 თებერვალს, 2011.

ყველა მოთხოვნები, e-mail იგზავნება bennievz@gmail.com

translation

Looks like the boers are very interested in Georgia

[GeorgianFan]

[Kokoity]

Georgia's Call for South African Farmers
03-03-2011
The government in Georgia has come up with a controversial idea to boost its agricultural industry, the BBC story says .
To revive its agricultural industry, the Georgian government is inviting groups of white South African farmers to settle and farm there - but not everyone thinks it is such a good idea, reports the BBC's Caucasus correspondent Damien McGuinness. The proposal has angered Georgian farmers.
Dressed in shorts, snow is clearly a new experience for these South African farmers.
But this trip to Georgia is about more than seeing a different climate. Johan Swart has come with his wife and his parents to see if the former Soviet republic could one day become his new home.
He says the policies of the South African government are making it increasingly difficult to stay in the country where he was born.
At the end of apartheid in South Africa the majority of the land was owned by the white community, who made up less than 10% of the population. Now, with land reforms under way, some farmers are looking for opportunities elsewhere.
So far, 90 white South African farmers have visited Georgia to look at land for sale.
In the former Soviet Union, Georgian farms were mostly state-run, so many Georgian farmers lost their traditional skills.
According to government spokesman Nikoloz Avaliani, these South African farmers will help to turn things round.
"South African farmers are some of the best farmers in the world. They have good experience and we would like to see such farms in Georgia. There is a lot of potential here."
The Georgian government is giving them a great deal of support, such as advice about where to buy and how to settle in Georgia. And, depending how much foreign investment and jobs the farmers bring with them, they may be able to buy state-owned land cheaply.

By the end of the tour it is clear that Georgia has made a positive impression on Johan and his family.
"This farm where we are right now is probably the best proposition we've seen so far," he says. "We're excited and there are a lot of possibilities here. It's something that can be considered seriously. But we're still going to have to see more of the farm before we can make a final decision."
If Johan and his wife do end up moving here, it certainly would be a fresh start for them - and perhaps for Georgian farming too.

http://www.interpressnews.ge/en/worl...n-farmers.html

[Kokoity]

Following South African farmers to Georgia

BBC Caucasus Correspondent Damien McGuinness in the Georgian mountains

BBC Caucasus Correspondent Damien McGuinness recalls a personal experience of Georgian hospitality when his team got caught in a snow storm while reporting on a controversial land sale scheme.

A guest is a blessing sent by God, say people in the Caucasus.

Certainly the nation of Georgia is offering a more than hospitable welcome to farmers from South Africa.

And it’s something we experienced ourselves while filming the story of how some 90 white South African farmers have visited Georgia, after an invitation from the government to look at state-owned land for sale.

Changing continents

Police had blocked the route, telling us they would only allow us through in a jeep – could prove tricky to find a jeep in the middle of the night in the mountains, I thought
BBC Caucasus Correspondent Damien McGuinness
Many of the farmers say they don't feel safe in South Africa. Since Apartheid ended in 1994, more than 3,000 white South African farmers have been murdered.

And some believe that land reforms will mean that the South African government will force them to sell their farms for less than market value.

“The government can come to you and tell you, this is what we are willing to pay for your farm and you have to sell,” explained Johan Swart. “You can lose everything.”

He has come to Georgia with his wife and parents to look at farms for sale. The Georgian government is giving advice about where to buy land and how to settle here.

It is also prepared to reduce the price for land if the South Africans farmers create jobs in Georgia.

Plans ditched

South African farmer Johan Swart and his wife visiting Georgia

But as we drove along the snowy mountain roads behind the farmers in their convoy of jeeps, our immediate concern was just keeping up. The convoy's original plan of stopping after an hour to do the interviews appeared to have been ditched.

By the time they eventually stopped – not far from the coastal town of Batumi, where the South Africans were spending the night – we'd driven almost 400 kilometres and across most of the country.

Magic phone

As we headed back to Tbilisi through the mountains, the snow got heavier and progress slower.

Things finally ground to a halt on the mountain pass – the only road back to the capital.

Police had blocked the route, telling us they would only allow us through in a jeep – could prove tricky to find a jeep in the middle of the night in the mountains, I thought.

At this point, however, I hadn't banked on the talents of our fixer Mariam Naskidashvili, whose mobile phone appears to have magical qualities.

She had been putting in a few calls. "A friend has a jeep that they can send with a driver," she said.

Generally in Georgia the solution to most problems is 'a friend' or 'a cousin'. It's rare that you get more detail than that.

Police escort


A group of South African farmers invited to visit farmland

By the time the jeep arrived around midnight, the snow had got heavier and traffic that had become stuck on the mountain pass meant the road was completely blocked.

With no hotels nearby, it was looking like the five of us would soon spend a cosy night in the car with the camera equipment.

Mariam got on her magic phone again and spoke to someone who told her there was a border guard barracks nearby where we could sleep free of charge.

Suddenly a convoy of police cars with flashing lights appeared to escort us through the village to the barracks.

I kept thinking we looked a little too dirty, tired and generally bedraggled to warrant all the attention.

Welcoming culture

The next morning, with the road still blocked, a border guard in a jeep said he would take us to Tbilisi.

He managed to bypass the traffic jam on the mountain pass by taking the other side of the road, warning cars coming the other direction to steer clear by beeping his horn most of the way.

We arrived back in Tbilisi almost 24 hours later than expected. Even by relaxed Georgian standards, this was quite a delay.

But the fact that we'd made it back at all and managed to get a good night's sleep on the way was only thanks to Georgian hospitality.

Despite the internal controversy surrounding the government's initiative, many of the South African farmers we spoke to have been similarly impressed by how they've been received.

And if our experience out in the countryside is anything to go by, any farmers who do end up settling here should get a warm welcome.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/wo..._farmers.shtml

[Kokoity]

LANDS IN EAST GEORGIA BOUGHT BY INDIANS AND BULGARIANS

20 April 2011

Nona Kvlividze

While our Capital, especially old part of Tbilisi, is being ‘invaded by Arabs’, regions are frequented by Indians and Bulgarians who buy hectares of farming land. Growing interest of foreigners in lands for cultivation is connected with global food deficit. According to the experts, food crisis in future will become alarmingly acute and the countries with huge population will face the problem of feeding them. For this reason big countries take anticipatory measures and buy lands in the third counties. As Indians say, making business here is profitable for them.
Vazha Tsutskiridze (real estate expert):’ In Dedoplistskaro and Sagarejo Districts of Kakheti (East Georgia) Indians are going to cultivate mostly corn and maize.’
The locals don’t like appearance of foreigners but they don’t hurry to plough the land themselves. Georgian farmers can’t boast of either modern, expensive agricultural machinery or of the knowledge how to work over the land. Still one more problem is connected with distribution of lands that hinders their correct and effective cultivation.
State functionaries shun speaking about foreign citizens who buy lands. When talking with us, Tamaz Naskidashvili, Deputy Head of local administration of Signagi region confirmed that Indians appeared in Kakheti but he avoided answering whether they bought the lands. The visits of Boer farmers are made secret by the Ministry of Diaspora who initiated their resettlement.
Real estate experts prognosticate that the number of people desiring the land will grow. Jews, Bulgarians and Indians will be followed by Chinese whom our Government invites to make business in Georgia.
Author: Nino Patsuria

http://georgianjournal.ge/index.php?...onomy&Itemid=6

[Kokoity]

Farmers leaving SA: report
Apr 04 2011
Johannesburg - Commercial farmers were leaving South Africa in droves, The Times newspaper reported on Monday.

Farmers were leaving the country because of unbearable working conditions for neighbouring states such as Malawi, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Caucasian state of Georgia among others.

There were 120 000 commercial farmers in South Africa in 1994 and only 37 000 remained, which has led to SA importing some of the food it used to produce, said AgriSA vice-president Theo de Jager.

The country was now starting to import grains such as wheat. It was also on the brink of importing meat and poultry, which was being produced less and less in the country.

Farmers cited new laws, unionisation of farm workers, expensive water, electricity and other necessities, a shrinking supply of arable land, and the threat of land reform as reasons for farming in South Africa becoming unsustainable.

Rural Development and Land Reform Minister Gugile Nkwinti's spokesperson Mthobeli Mxotwa said the new security of tenure bill was meant to "stop cruelty against farm workers".

"Workers get kicked off farms and dumped along the side of the road. The Land Tenure Act and Extension of Security of Tenure Act were found (to be) toothless - evictions continued unabated.

"We decided to tighten the new bill in order to give farm workers rights. By the way, we also extended those rights to land owners."

http://www.fin24.com/Companies/Agrib...eport-20110404

[TheUnderdog]

I must say that inviting the Boers to come to Georgia was one of the best decisions the Georgian government could make. They are known for very good cultivation skills and work ethic. Hopefully, they'll help turn Georgian soil into an arable land, and add significantly to the GDP. Do the authorities really want to welcome 40k Afrikaners? From what I've read, currently it's a matter of hundreds, not even thousands. I also wonder how the Afrikaans-speaking South Africans will preserve their culture and, most-importantly, language. Chances are they might just drop Afrikaans in favour of their new language. One of those guys admitted that if he's going to Georgia, he'll be Georgian. Anyway, if everything goes according to the plan, you'll have 40 thousand industrious, devoted and grateful citizens Btw, shame on South African government for doing nothing to secure safety of the white farmers. So many farm attacks are taking place there, and those are some horrible stories. Their government have even stopped reporting race when collecting data on black-on-white assaults for fear that the global community might notice what's going on in the rainbow nation.

How do people in Georgia perceive the whole idea?

[Kokoity]

Originally Posted by TheUnderdog

I must say that inviting the Boers to come to Georgia was one of the best decisions the Georgian government could make. They are known for very good cultivation skills and work ethic. Hopefully, they'll help turn Georgian soil into an arable land, and add significantly to the GDP. Do the authorities really want to welcome 40k Afrikaners? From what I've read, currently it's a matter of hundreds, not even thousands. I also wonder how the Afrikaans-speaking South Africans will preserve their culture and, most-importantly, language. Chances are they might just drop Afrikaans in favour of their new language. One of those guys admitted that if he's going to Georgia, he'll be Georgian. Anyway, if everything goes according to the plan, you'll have 40 thousand industrious, devoted and grateful citizens Btw, shame on South African government for doing nothing to secure safety of the white farmers. So many farm attacks are taking place there, and those are some horrible stories. Their government have even stopped reporting race when collecting data on black-on-white assaults for fear that the global community might notice what's going on in the rainbow nation.

How do people in Georgia perceive the whole idea?

I agree with you that it was one of the best decision from our goverment to invite the Boers to life in Georgia. Because I think they brings experience and jobs. The language is only a problem for older georgians because the younger ones learns english at school. And the Boers speak englisch very well, too.
For me (and many other georgians) the Boers are Welcome!

[tbilisky]

I think all open minded Georgians like this idea.. Georgian farmers are very lazy and Georgian land is very rich , yet they are not cultivated because of the lazness of Georgian farmers, so i think 40 thousand qualified farmers will put Georgian rural economy on the way of development..

[VelesHomais]

Have there been any reports on how many are immigrating as of now?