HYDERABAD (Reuters): Andhra Pradesh plans to send hundreds of farmers to east Africa to cultivate farmland in countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, officials said on Oct. 28. The state, where hundreds of debt-ridden farmers have committed suicide this year, is in talks with the Kenyan government to lease 20,000 hectares of land and send about 1,000 farmers there to work, they said.

“This is a business opportunity for Andhra farmers who are well-versed in tropical and arid area farming,” Agriculture Minister, N. Raghuveera Reddy, said. About 500 farmers have already agreed to take up the offer. The Andhra Pradesh government and Kenyan officials are working on a memorandum of understanding that will flesh out details. Talks were also being held with representatives of the governments of Tanzania and Uganda to send farmers there as well.