Russia gives away land in hopes of repopulating Far East

The Russian government is giving away land in its Far East in a bid to increase the region’s sparse population. Any eager Russian can put their name down for a free hectare of land. The only obligations are to use the plots productively, and not sell them to foreigners.

Al Jazeera's Rory Challands reports from Kamchatka.

[isprikitikburkabush]

Leave it there. the Reason why the Siberian wildlife is rich is because of the small human population. If they give it to China might as well say goodbye to the Siberian Tigers

[samarn]

I already applied to this program in Russia although I'm a foreigner ... once I get my land I wanna build a rain deer farm ... it's very close to china and the Koreas ... as well as Japan... and they love this fatty meat .... already spoke to my friend in Australia to prepare the equipment... Russia is the best place in the world!!!

[marc-andrechevrette]

They used to give 40 hectares of land here in Canada to poor families a century ago. You had government assistance for a few years if you cleared the land each year and cultivate it. What do you want to do with only an hectare, well, maybe a micro farm but you won't be able to thrive....

[Washu]

The downside is that the land is in Kamchatka and one hectare is too small for any productive purpose.

[shrkshdvv]

If they found oil there it would turn the place into a major city

[Itsmeeman]

This offer is also open to Brits. I am seriously thinking of it.

[ahoraya]

There are many areas for development in the Far East, apart from Kamchatka, and some with good lands. Besides, it is not always winter in those areas...there are hot summers.

[danmurphy]

so... exactly the same thing the USA and Canada did, even in the early-mid 20th century. Lets see how people claim this as a horrible and desperate grab, when it's completely normal practice even in the West

[ডিমেরহালিপঞ্চাশ]

if Russian govt provide me a Russian wife, I agree to live there

[antegeia]

Lol 1 hectare ? Only ? Its enough to grow your own food up to a point or use the land to raise pigs but believe me its a small piece of land ( my family has 2.4 hectares + some small vineyards)

[talijahtalijah]

Russia is busy expanding its territory, bingeing land, it is not the land that makes a country great but its peoples.

[playfun]

my grandma from india visit russia and she got injured in her leg, she went to hospital guess what dam it total free they don't even want fees for the treatment

[MilanPavlovic]

I can predict that the Chinese government is going to demand annexation of Far East (Siberia) in a few decades if the Russian government allows settlement of chinese migrants there. That would be a bad move. I hope that doesn't happen.

[oliverchu]

Russia should increase their population as soon as possible.

[ralphbernhard]

Free land? Four hours into the wilderness? Farm? What? Ice crystals?

[ddlithuania]

That title totally wasnt made by a pro-russian, i dont remember a time then russia gave away land with peace

[scorpioninpink]

I'll take those lands. I love living in places like these.

[samable]

The place has tourism potential due to unsuitable for agriculture. Russia don't need to rush give it away.

[ShadeRaven]

It just needs to look more greener. Plant more evergreens and turn it into a ski resort town. Needs to look appealing not dreadful.

[mcdonelldouglas]

and what can you produce on one hectare?