In a HedgeCo story, 'African Agricultural Land Fund Launch' - Emergent Asset Management launched the African Agricultural Land Fund in August 2008, with a second closing to take place in September 2008.

The fund has raised almost €2 billion already ($2.9 billion), and wants to raise a total of €3 billion and is canvassing a range of investors. Minimum investment size is €500,000 for private investors and €5m for institutional investors.

The African Land Fund will offer investors the opportunity to participate in the growing Sub-Saharan agricultural sector. It will apply modern management disciplines and introduce improved farmland techniques to increase crop yields and investment returns.

Initially, the investment focus will be in South Africa. The portfolio will be expanded within Africa to include (but not limited to) countries such as Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, swaziland and the DRC.