Although Russia is one of the world’s largest geographical countries, it is still considered heavily underpopulated for its huge size. This is possibly why they are considering welcoming 15 000 white South African farmers, which will also serve to boost its agricultural industry.
The Citizen reported that a group of 15 000 farmers have offered their services to the country, and will also invest their savings and offer English lessons as well for citizenship.
A Russian news network, Rossiya 1 TV, reported that the first 30 South African families are expected to settle and establish themselves, before others follow suit.
“A delegation of Boers arrived in Stavropol with a proposal to open a migration channel,” said Rossiya 1 TV. The report suggests that the farmers are primarily from the Free State.
South African farmer, Adi Siebus, told the Russian delegates who welcomed them at the airport, that they view their move to Russia as a matter of life and death. Siebus added that South African politicians have allegedly been stirring up hatred amid a wave of violence.
The South African farmers who have relocated say they believe that Stavropol has a great climate for farming. Each family will contribute at least R1.4-million to leasing land in Russia. This cost will also kick-start their farming efforts.
A report released by agricultural industry body AgriSA in June showed that farm murder rates were at their very lowest in the past 20 years. The stats show that 47 people were murdered on farms between 2017 and 2018, and a total of 561 farm attacks occurred in this time period.
The highest number of farm murders occurred between 1997 and 1998, where 153 murders were recorded, while the year with the highest number of recorded farm attacks occurred between 2001 and 2002. This specific year saw 1 069 attacks take place.
In total, there have been 1 733 farm murders and 12 567 farm attacks in the past two decades.
Gauteng has the highest farm murder rate with 69 murders, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and the North West province with 61. The North West has the most farm attacks with 722, followed by Gauteng with 644.