Deal #1498

Land area

Size under contract (leased or purchased area)

[2007, current] 25845 ha

Comment on land area

991ha for industrial plant, 19,254ha for sugarcane plantations, 5,600ha for outgrowers (sugar + food crops). Many different sizes mentioned. Other sources mention government of Mali signed a contract allocating Sosumar a 50-year lease (renewable) on 17,000 ha of land for sugar-cane plantations, but the Office du Niger map shows a total of 39,538 ha. Another source states the company is involved the development of 14 132 hectares of sugar-cane plantation.

Intention of investment

[2007, current] Biomass for biofuels, Food crops, Renewable energy unspecified (25845 ha)

Nature of the deal

Lease

Negotiation status

[2005] Intended (Under negotiation)
[2007] Concluded (Contract signed)
[2013, current] Concluded (Contract signed)

Comment on negotiation status

Illovo joined the project in 2005 but withdrew in 2012. Uttam Sucrotech from India is restarting the project (2013).

Implementation status

[2012] Project abandoned
[2013, current] Project not started

Comment on implementation status

The commercial partner (Illovo) withdrew in 2012. Uttam Sucrotech from India is restarting the project. The status of the project and investor is unclear.

Contract farming

Yes

On leased / purchased

Yes

On leased area/farmers/households

[current] 5600 ha

Comment on contract farming

The farmers plant rice for household food between the irrigation pivots.