Senethanol signed the original 20,000 ha lease with the rural community of Fanaye to grow sweet potatoes for biofuel production for the European market. However, political tensions within the community and opposition to the project escalated into a violent conflict on October 26, 2011, resulting in two deaths, several dozen serious injuries, and a country in shock. The project was quickly suspended by President Abdoulaye Wade. Shortly thereafter, Macky Sall was elected president. By presidential decree, he reapproved and relocated the project to the Ndiael nature reserve, where he reclassified 20,000 hectares of forest land as agricultural land for use by investors. Since then, the project has been implemented by Senhuile SA, a joint venture between Tampieri Financial Group, Italy, and Senethanol SA, based in Dakar (https://grain.org/e/4814). The company is still testing the crops it will produce on its 20,000 hectare concession, of which only 5,000 or 6,000 hectares have been cleared and planted to date (Grain, 2018). But since 2021 they have started to grow fodder crops for sale on an area of 30In addition, AAGR has acquired 5,000 hectares in nearby Fass Ngom under a 15-year lease dated June 2018, bringing the firm’s claimed total land holdings to 25,000 hectares in Senegal

Senethanol signed the original 20,000 ha lease with the rural community of Fanaye to grow sweet potatoes for biofuel production for the European market. However, political tensions within the community and opposition to the project escalated into a violent conflict on October 26, 2011, resulting in two deaths, several dozen serious injuries, and a country in shock. The project was quickly suspended by President Abdoulaye Wade. Shortly thereafter, Macky Sall was elected president. By presidential decree, he reapproved and relocated the project to the Ndiael nature reserve, where he reclassified 20,000 hectares of forest land as agricultural land for use by investors. Since then, the project has been implemented by Senhuile SA, a joint venture between Tampieri Financial Group, Italy, and Senethanol SA, based in Dakar (https://grain.org/e/4814). June 2018, AAGR has acquired the total land holdings 20,000 hectares in Senegal.

Some reports suggest that sunflower production has halted in April 2014. A report states that the company continually changes the produce: first was sweet potato, then sunflower, now corn, rice and peanuts. The company committed to have 2000ha of rice by 2017 for domestic markets. The company has planted acacia trees, however these are only for wind breaks and is not the intention of the investment. The company planned to use its expected annual output of 180,000 tons of sunflower seeds to produce biofuels. According to the maps (in the sources) we note the Senhuile plots (project) that surround the Ndiael special wildlife reserve with areas of 2000, 4000, 2500, 1420 and 1500ha respectively. The total area of the project is 11420 hectares. But according to our last field mission on July 2nd 2022, Les fermes de la Teranga had not been producing for several years. Between 2013 and 2014, they started producing Toursol again. Between 2014 and 2016 of Chilli, Potato, Watermelon and Peanut. Between 2017 and 2020 the land was not exploited. Since 2021 they have started to grow fodder crops. Production of sunflowers to produce bioethanol. The main aim of AAGR is to grow alfalfa as livestock feed for the international market. It also plans to produce biomass for biofuel, grow trees to sell carbon credits and engage in bifish farming.

Some reports suggest that sunflower production has halted in April 2014. A report states that the company continually changes the produce: first was sweet potato, then sunflower, now corn, rice and peanuts. The company committed to have 2000ha of rice by 2017 for domestic markets. The company has planted acacia trees, however these are only for wind breaks and is not the intention of the investment. The company planned to use its expected annual output of 180,000 tons of sunflower seeds to produce biofuels. According to the maps (in the sources) we note the Senhuile plots (project) that surround the Ndiael special wildlife reserve with areas of 2000, 4000, 2500, 1420 and 1500ha respectively. The total area of the project is 11420 hectares. But according to our last field mission on July 2nd 2022, Les fermes de la Teranga had not been producing for several years. Between 2013 and 2014, they started producing Toursol again. Between 2014 and 2016 of Chilli, Potato, Watermelon and Peanut. Between 2017 and 2020 the land was not exploited. Since 2021 they have started to grow fodder crops. Production of sunflowers to produce bioethanol. The main aim of AAGR is to grow alfalfa as livestock feed for the international market. It also plans to produce biomass for biofuel, grow trees to sell carbon credits and engage in bifish farming.

26,500 hectares were allocated by presidential decree, with 20,000 hectares given to a foreign company

20,000 ha allocated to Senhuile (ferme de la Teranga now) by presidential decree. Back in March 2011, local authorities signed a protocol granting a 20,000 hectare land concession to a company called Senhuile SA, which at the time said it would use it to produce biofuel for export. Population at original site protested and forced the government to halt and relocate the project. The project was re-approved and relocated in 2012. Until May 2015, the company claims to have invested 30 million Euros. AAGR bought the Senhuile farm, now renamed Les Fermes de la Téranga (LFT), located in Senegal from its Italian owners for US$7.9 million in 2018.AAGR maintains that through this purchase itacquired the land use rights to the 20,000 hectares granted to Senhuile by the president of Senegal in 2012. Communities depending on this land for their livelihoods prior to 2012 claim the land was leased to the company against their will. African Agriculture, Inc (AAGR) is a US-based holding company created in 2021

20,000 ha allocated to Senhuile (ferme de la Teranga now) by presidential decree. Back in March 2011, local authorities signed a protocol granting a 20,000 hectare land concession to a company called Senhuile SA, which at the time said it would use it to produce biofuel for export. Population at original site protested and forced the government to halt and relocate the project. The project was re-approved and relocated in 2012. Until May 2015, the company claims to have invested 30 million Euros. AAGR bought the Senhuile farm, now renamed Les Fermes de la Téranga (LFT), located in Senegal from its Italian owners for US$7.9 million in 2018. AAGR maintains that through this purchase itacquired the land use rights to the 20,000 hectares granted to Senhuile by the president of Senegal in 2012. Communities depending on this land for their livelihoods prior to 2012 claim the land was leased to the company against their will.

According to Gagné, the company is still technically operating, although it has not farmed since at least 2018. 5,000ha cleared. Planting of sunflowers in process. More than 24,000 signatures were collected in one week through an international petition launched by ActionAid and Re:Common to ask Tampieri Group, a food processing company that operates in Faenza, to withdraw from a project in the Senegalese reserve of Ndiael. The company is producing on the land regardless of the fact that their operations are not transparent. The company has changed management several times during the operation of the project. Another report states that the company has brought in a consultant to look at the possibility of selling the company. Key equipment is already being sold. Sources within the country state that the project is still operational (March 2017). Workers on strike in September 2017 due to unpaid wages and unpaid contribution to social security fund. One report states that the Italian management have left the country. In 2017, the Italians pulled out and left nothing.The communities want the state to cancel the 20,000 ha concession and give them their lands back. They also want reparations for the damages suffered over the years – loss of lives, livelihoods, land and animals – and are thinking of going to court for that. Sources within the country state that the project is still operational (March 2017). Since 2021 they have started to grow fodder crops on an area of 300ha.

More than 24,000 signatures were collected in one week through an international petition launched by ActionAid and Re:Common to ask Tampieri Group, a food processing company that operates in Faenza, to withdraw from a project in the Senegalese reserve of Ndiael. The company is producing on the land regardless of the fact that their operations are not transparent. The company has changed management several times during the operation of the project. Another report states that the company has brought in a consultant to look at the possibility of selling the company. Key equipment is already being sold. Sources within the country state that the project is still operational (March 2017). Workers on strike in September 2017 due to unpaid wages and unpaid contribution to social security fund. One report states that the Italian management have left the country. In 2017, the Italians pulled out and left nothing.The communities want the state to cancel the 20,000 ha concession and give them their lands back. They also want reparations for the damages suffered over the years – loss of lives, livelihoods, land and animals – and are thinking of going to court for that. Sources within the country state that the project is still operational (March 2017). Since 2021 they have started to grow fodder crops on an area of 300ha.

Land has been attributed for free. Another report states leasing fee of USD 100,000 a year. The land around Fass Ngom (5000ha) is leased for 40 million FCFA per year.

Fermes de la Teranga (Ex SenHuile)/African Agriculture, Inc (AAGR)

Fermes de la Teranga (Ex SenHuile)

As the project was transferred, new investors came in, including the Italian Tampieri Financial Group. Lawsuits filed by company partners against each other and in 2017, the Italians pulled out. Previously known as Senhuile-Sénéthanol, now known as Les Fermes de la Téranga. Les Fermes de la Teranga (LFT) is an anonymous company with a capital of 3.2 billion FCFA. The shareholder is composed of Mr. Gora Seck and Global Commodities, a Baar-based Swiss company. LFT has already invested more 3 billion to strengthen its system irrigation in addition to the 13 billion already invested since its creation in the development and equipment. Today, there are reports that Les Fermes de la Téranga, the name of the new company that took over Senhuile and occupies its headquarters, is another front for financial mischief. Six years later, Frank Timis, a well-known Romanian businessman allegedly involved in a corruption scandal in Senegal, bought the company through African Agriculture. His plan was to grow mainly alfalfa as livestock feed for domestic distribution and export, including to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Registered in the Cayman Island' Registered in the Cayman Islands, AAGR renamed Senhuile as Les Fermes de la Teranga (LFT), or “The Farms of the Teranga,” a Wolof word meaning “hospitality.”

SENHUILE underwent a change in leadership in April 2014 due to economic and operational difficulties under the former Director.As the project was transferred, new investors came in, including the Italian Tampieri Financial Group. Lawsuits filed by company partners against each other and in 2017, the Italians pulled out. Previously known as Senhuile-Sénéthanol, now known as Les Fermes de la Téranga. Les Fermes de la Teranga (LFT) is an anonymous company with a capital of 3.2 billion FCFA. The shareholder is composed of Mr. Gora Seck and Global Commodities, a Baar-based Swiss company. LFT has already invested more 3 billion to strengthen its system irrigation in addition to the 13 billion already invested since its creation in the development and equipment. Today, there are reports that Les Fermes de la Téranga, the name of the new company that took over Senhuile and occupies its headquarters, is another front for financial mischief. Six years later, Frank Timis, a well-known Romanian businessman allegedly involved in a corruption scandal in Senegal, bought the company through African Agriculture. His plan was to grow mainly alfalfa as livestock feed for domestic distribution and export, including to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Registered in the Cayman Island' Registered in the Cayman Islands, AAGR renamed Senhuile as Les Fermes de la Teranga (LFT), or “The Farms of the Teranga,” a Wolof word meaning “hospitality.”

The local community have rejected the project since its inception. They live from agriculture and livestock, if the government allocates their land to investors they will no longer have enough to live on. The community asked the government to allocate the land to themselves rather than the company. Heavy protests by locals causing fatal casualties forced the project to be relocated. Protests continue in newly assigned area.In addition to the deaths caused by the protests three children have drowned in irrigation canals dug by the company. Villagers have traveled to Europe, to the offices of Tampieri, in February 2014 to try to halt the project. The local communities got together and created the Collectif de Défense des Intérêts du Ndiael (Association for the Defence of the Interests of Ndiael) which comprises of 37 villages affected by the project with civil society organisations such as ENDA PRONAT, ACTION AID, and CNCR. The communities want the state to cancel the 20,000 ha concession and give them their lands back. They also want reparations for the damages suffered over the years – loss of lives, livelihoods, land and animals – and are thinking of going to court for that.

The local community have rejected the project since its inception. They live from agriculture and livestock, if the government allocates their land to investors they will no longer have enough to live on. The community asked the government to allocate the land to themselves rather than the company. Heavy protests by locals causing fatal casualties forced the project to be relocated. Protests continue in newly assigned area.In addition to the deaths caused by the protests three children have drowned in irrigation canals dug by the company. Villagers have traveled to Europe, to the offices of Tampieri, in February 2014 to try to halt the project. The local communities got together and created the Collectif de Défense des Intérêts du Ndiael (Association for the Defence of the Interests of Ndiael) which comprises of 37 villages affected by the project with civil society organisations such as ENDA PRONAT, ACTION AID, and CNCR. The communities want the state to cancel the 20,000 ha concession and give them their lands back. They also want reparations for the damages suffered over the years – loss of lives, livelihoods, land and animals – and are thinking of going to court for that. Local communities feel marginalized and are demanding their grievances be addressed by the government.They oppose the cultivation of fodder for export on land they consider vital for their own agricultural nee

The land was originally located in the area of Fanaye, east of Ngnith, in the department of Podor. The communities there were not consulted, however, and they did not accept the project. They rose up in protest, demanding their lands back, again and again. One day in late October 2011 violence broke out, resulting in the death of two villagers and severe injuries for dozens more. The country was shocked, and the project halted. the population refused the presidential decree allocating the 20,000 ha to Senhuile. Another source says that :"there are several conflicts in this area between the investor and the local population. They lose their animals sometimes because of the barbed wire set up by the investors".

The land was originally located in the area of Fanaye, east of Ngnith, in the department of Podor. The communities there were not consulted, however, and they did not accept the project. They rose up in protest, demanding their lands back, again and again. One day in late October 2011 violence broke out, resulting in the death of two villagers and severe injuries for dozens more. The country was shocked, and the project halted. the population refused the presidential decree allocating the 20,000 ha to Senhuile. Another source says that :"there are several conflicts in this area between the investor and the local population. They lose their animals sometimes because of the barbed wire set up by the investors". There's opposition to using the land for fodder cultivation for export rather than local agricultural needs.

Back in March 2011, local authorities signed a protocol granting a 20,000 hectare land concession to a company called Senhuile SA, which at the time said it would use it to produce biofuel for export. The land was originally located in the area of Fanaye, east of Ngnith, in the department of Podor. The communities there were not consulted, however, and they did not accept the project. They rose up in protest, demanding their lands back, again and again. One day in late October 2011 violence broke out, resulting in the death of two villagers and severe injuries for dozens more. The country was shocked, and the project halted. Months later, it was relocated to the Ndiaël region, just before Macky Sall came to power. In August 2012, he confirmed its go ahead via presidential decree. In 2022, it was reported that 37 villages of herders and their families, who consider themselves victims of a giant land speculation, are still there, without access to their land. Hydrologists warn the use of pesticides during the cultivation of alfalfa will contaminate the nearby Lake Guiers, which provides 65% of the capital Dakar’s drinking water

Back in March 2011, local authorities signed a protocol granting a 20,000 hectare land concession to a company called Senhuile SA, which at the time said it would use it to produce biofuel for export. The land was originally located in the area of Fanaye, east of Ngnith, in the department of Podor. The communities there were not consulted, however, and they did not accept the project. They rose up in protest, demanding their lands back, again and again. One day in late October 2011 violence broke out, resulting in the death of two villagers and severe injuries for dozens more. The country was shocked, and the project halted. Months later, it was relocated to the Ndiaël region, just before Macky Sall came to power. In August 2012, he confirmed its go ahead via presidential decree. In 2022, it was reported that 37 villages of herders and their families, who consider themselves victims of a giant land speculation, are still there, without access to their land. Hydrologists warn the use of pesticides during the cultivation of alfalfa will contaminate the nearby Lake Guiers, which provides 65% of the capital Dakar’s drinking water

The lease did not provide for the community to be compensated for their loss of access to land for grazing and collecting of other natural resources. However, the company has allocated a portion (size unknown) to the communities for grazing- this land is not sufficient. Indeed In a memoranda of understanding, Senhuile agrees to provide 0.3 hectares to the families of the local communities. 189 hectares has been distributed by Senhuile to some families. The company has made various donations and support for the populations, Senhuile began paying an exceptional budgetary support to the commune, 40 million CFA francs for 2014. In 2015, the local treasure will receive CHF 20 million as annual financial support decided by a common agreement. As a form of compensation, AAGR says it will sell part of its alfalfa production to local herders for their livestock. But this hasn’t gone down well in a region where grazing has been practiced for free for generations.

The lease did not provide for the community to be compensated for their loss of access to land for grazing and collecting of other natural resources. However, the company has allocated a portion (size unknown) to the communities for grazing- this land is not sufficient. Indeed In a memoranda of understanding, Senhuile agrees to provide 0.3 hectares to the families of the local communities. 189 hectares has been distributed by Senhuile to some families. The company has made various donations and support for the populations, Senhuile began paying an exceptional budgetary support to the commune, 40 million CFA francs for 2014. In 2015, the local treasure will receive CHF 20 million as annual financial support decided by a common agreement. As a form of compensation, AAGR says it will sell part of its alfalfa production to local herders for their livestock. But this hasn’t gone down well in a region where grazing has been practiced for free for generations.

From 2012 until 2017, the investors promised all sort of things − they boasted that they would build schools and health clinics, and send nearby villagers on the Hajj. But little came of all this except for speculation, grave financial distress. The company promised to build walls around the local cemetery. The company has given all the villagers affected a total of 50 000tonnes of fodder once. Senhuile it is also committed in the creation of two micro-projects: the creation of three community gardens by each hectare (land made available from the villages and not by the company) for women, and the construction of four classrooms. Senhuile didn’t last long, failing to use 90% of its concession as required and build local infrastructure projects

From 2012 until 2017, the investors promised all sort of things − they boasted that they would build schools and health clinics, and send nearby villagers on the Hajj. But little came of all this except for speculation, grave financial distress. The company promised to build walls around the local cemetery. The company has given all the villagers affected a total of 50 000tonnes of fodder once. Senhuile it is also committed in the creation of two micro-projects: the creation of three community gardens by each hectare (land made available from the villages and not by the company) for women, and the construction of four classrooms. Senhuile didn’t last long, failing to use 90% of its concession as required and build local infrastructure projects

Land around Fass Ngom formally owned by the community. State in other locations owned by state- Ndiaël reserve.

State in other locations owned by state- Ndiaël reserve. The land was previously used by local communities for traditional agricultural and pastoral activities.

cultivation of fodder

One report states that the project is on the verge of collapse. Another report states that the company has brought in a consultant to look at the possibility of selling the company. Key equipment is being sold.