Tanzania just landed a $640 million farming deal that's supposed to create over 100,000 jobs in the next decade. Pan-Tanzania Agriculture Developments Limited grabbed 62,000 acres in Kilwa District, where they're setting up cassava farms and an industrial park to process stuff for Chinese and Asian export markets, plus some meat operations on the side.
Professor Kitila Mkumbo handed over the land rights and said the Lindi Region needs an economic boost since it only puts up 2 percent of the country's GDP right now. The company's getting four villages wired up with better infrastructure and irrigation while building a 2,000-acre industrial zone inside the bigger farm plot.
Officials made it clear the land isn't a freebie, and they're watching to make sure the investor actually develops everything on schedule. Kilwa's district commissioner hyped up the area's ports and power grid to sell it as investment-friendly territory.
Professor Kitila Mkumbo handed over the land rights and said the Lindi Region needs an economic boost since it only puts up 2 percent of the country's GDP right now. The company's getting four villages wired up with better infrastructure and irrigation while building a 2,000-acre industrial zone inside the bigger farm plot.
Officials made it clear the land isn't a freebie, and they're watching to make sure the investor actually develops everything on schedule. Kilwa's district commissioner hyped up the area's ports and power grid to sell it as investment-friendly territory.
