The farmers have since transformed agriculture in these countries, mainly in Zambia and Mozambique where they have doubled maize and tobacco production.
Now far-flung Somaliland has also joined the bandwagon and is eager to attract Zimbabwean farmers. In a story in the latest edition of the South African Farmers' Weekly, Somaliland foreign minister, Abdulali Duale says that he is keen to discuss agri-investment with experienced farmers from Zimbabwe and others from southern Africa. Although many of Zimbabwe's 4 500 commercial farmers, left jobless after Mugabe seized their land for re-distribution to blacks have seized opportunities to continue farming in mostly Zimbabwe's neighbouring countries, it is not clear whether many would take the offer for the long journey to Somaliland.
Although located in a troublesome region, Somaliland has over the past 15 years, gone against the trend for most countries in the Horn of Africa, by establishing a democratic and tolerant government with elections that observers have consistently rated free and fair. The country achieved independence in 1960 as British Somaliland and days later, merged with the former Italian Somaliland to form the ill-fated republic of Somalia.
Within a few years, the English-speaking north sought to regain its independence, but the dictatorship of Siad Barre in Mogadishu would not debate the issue and his troops later committed genocide in the north and used Russian MiG jets to flatten the capital, Hargeisa.
In 1989, Barre was overthrown and Somalia collapsed into civil war. Two years later, the former British Somaliland proclaimed a unilateral declaration of independence. Early accounts written by colonial officials describe a territory rich in wildlife and mostly covered in forest. But years of neglect and deforestation have seen the loss of most large mammals and birds, though plans are now afoot to reintroduce the Somali ostrich from stock held in Kenya.
"There are many projects waiting to be developed, to restock our wildlife, open up commercial farming and rebuild the forest," Duale told journalist Geoff Hill who covered the story for Farmers Weekly.
"I know we are not one of the glamour destinations, but we do have a sound democracy and total commitment to a new age of commercial farming. I hope some farmers and conservationists will come and have a look at our little country." Although most governments do not recognize Somaliland, the country's passports are accepted around the world, including in South Africa, and the African Union has signalled that recognition could come sooner than expected.