Govt set to allot 20 000ha in Pandamatenga

After the offer closes on March 25, a Ministry of Agriculture-led committee will assess the scores of applications that have been rolling in from farmers eager to secure a piece of the country's choice agricultural real estate.The race for the land has been characterised by a rigorous vetting process involving site visits, interviews as well as a thorough assessment of the applicants' business plans and technical and financial competencies.

On Wednesday, Agriculture Hub Coordinator Neil Fitt said the 20, 000 hectares - which are known as Pandamatenga Phase II-would be allocated between now and 2012. He revealed that of the figure, 2, 500 hectares of serviced land has been earmarked for small scale farmers.