Deal #4560 Version 68334 Version 95894
Size under contract (leased or purchased area)
  • [2014] 518.0 ha
  • [2020, current] 1600.0 ha
  • [2014] 518 ha
  • [2020, current] 1600 ha
Size in operation (production)
  • [2020, current] 610.0 ha
  • [2020, current] 610 ha
Comment on intention of investment
Macadamia, chili and paprika. Recent publications do not mention coffee estate .
Macadamia, chili and paprika.
Carbon offset project
No
Comment on contract farming
Producing mostly chilies and paprika with some farmers growing macadamia nuts. Tropha will provide support in the form of seeds and training on improved farming practices. It also assists the smallholders with 100ha irrigation. Eventually 4000 farmers, in 2013 785 farmers.
Producing mostly chilies and paprika with some farmers growing macadamia nuts. Tropha will provide support in the form of seeds and training on improved farming practices. It also assists the smallholders with 100ha irrigation.
Name of investment project
Tropha Estates Ltd
Name of community
Turkana,
Samburu,
Rendille,
El Molo
Comment on communities / indigenous peoples affected
The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project is located in a region inhabited by indigenous communities, including the Turkana, Samburu, Rendille, and El Molo peoples. The Turkana are the dominant group in the area, known for their nomadic pastoralism, relying on livestock for their livelihood. The Samburu, closely related to the Maasai, also practice pastoralism and have a deep cultural connection to the land. The Rendille, another nomadic community, primarily herd camels, adapting to the region’s harsh climate. The El Molo, one of Kenya’s smallest indigenous groups, traditionally depend on fishing in Lake Turkana for sustenance. These communities have raised concerns regarding land access and the project's impact on their traditional way of life​.
Recognition status of community land tenure
Indigenous Peoples traditional or customary rights not recognized by government
Community consultation
Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
Comment on consultation of local community
According to the report "Tropha Estates Limited Baseline Survey", consultations with local communities have been conducted. Multiple meetings were held with a variety of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, local community representatives, women's and youth groups, NGOs, and government authorities. Key milestones include: May 26, 2007: Meeting with community elders in Loiyangalani. November 16-25, 2007: Investigative and consultative mission in the project area for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). April 21-22, 2008: Stakeholder consultation in Loiyangalani to review ESIA findings. May 4-16, 2009: Consultative mission to design the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. July 17-18, 2009: Formal stakeholder consultation for the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Gold Standard in Loiyangalani. The document notes that local inhabitants, mainly nomadic pastoralists, raised concerns about land access and transparency in the leasing process with the project developer. Additionally, a gender-focused consultation was conducted, recognizing that poverty in Malawi is closely linked to gender disparities. It was recommended that outgrower programs include gender-based planning to increase women's participation. The report highlights that involving more women in these programs provides them with greater economic opportunities and enhances community well-being, as women are primarily responsible for education and healthcare costs​
Community reaction
Mixed reaction
Comment on community reaction
The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project generated conflicts among local communities, primarily due to land access disputes and unequal distribution of benefits. The El Molo community was displaced in October 2007 following tribal clashes, raising further concerns about resource access. Increased competition for natural resources, such as firewood, heightened tensions between locals and incoming workers. Additionally, concerns emerged regarding rising crime, prostitution, and the spread of HIV/AIDS due to the influx of non-local workers. Some community members also feared favoritism in employment opportunities and benefit distribution. These conflicts underscore the need for greater consultation and transparency in large-scale projects affecting indigenous and vulnerable communities
Presence of land conflicts
Yes
Comment on presence of land conflicts
The Lake Turkana Wind Power Project triggered land-related conflicts, mainly due to displacement and restricted access to grazing areas. The El Molo community was displaced in October 2007 following tribal clashes, exacerbating concerns over land tenure. Pastoralist communities, including the Turkana, Samburu, and Rendille, raised objections about the loss of grazing land and the lack of transparency in the leasing process. Additionally, there were tensions over land ownership, as the project area was under the control of the Marsabit County Council, which allocated the lease without direct community involvement. These disputes highlight the precarious land rights of indigenous groups and the need for clearer legal recognition of customary land tenure
Negative impacts for local communities
Socio-economic, Displacement, Other
Presence of organizations and actions taken (e.g. farmer organizations, NGOs, etc.)
Several organizations have supported communities affected by the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, including Food for the Hungry International (FHI), Community Initiatives Facilitation Assistance (CIFA), Pastoralist Integrated Support Programme (PISP), Mosaretu Women Group, Kifaru Women Group, and the Nayori Environmental Conservation Rehabilitation Youth Group. These organizations have worked on livelihood support, resource access, women's rights, and community development. They have also engaged in meetings with local communities to address project impacts and advocate for the inclusion of community concerns​.
Crops area/yield/export
  • Food crops (unspecified), Pepper [2020, current] 610.0 ha
  • Food crops (unspecified), Pepper [2020, current] 610 ha
Comment on in country processing of produce
1,400 tonne per annum macadamia processing plant at the Kaweche farm
Tropha Estates is involved in the cultivation and processing of macadamia nuts, which are sent to South Africa for final processing and then exported.
Comment on water extraction envisaged
For own estates and for smallholders.
Comment on gender-related info
47% of smallholders are women
According to the report "Tropha Estates Limited Baseline Survey", conducted by Tropha Estates Limited with the support of AgDevCo’s Smallholder Development Unit (SDU), a gender-focused consultation recognized the link between poverty and gender disparities and recommended gender-based planning to increase women's participation. The report emphasizes that greater inclusion of women in these programs enhances economic opportunities and community well-being, as they are primarily responsible for education and healthcare costs. The outgrower scheme has contributed to women's empowerment in Malawi, with 51% of households reporting joint decision-making on land use and 17% of women owning land. However, despite increased income and food security, women continue to face significant domestic labor burdens.
Fully updated
No
Yes

Location #mPiasbuQ

areas
unknown field: location.areas
unknown field: location.areas
Point
Lat: -11.33673
Lng: 33.86758
Lat: -11.32378
Lng: 33.86952
Comment
Total of 3 estates. In Kaweche/Ekwandeni Shapefile in operation derived from satellite imagery.
Total of 3 estates.Located in Kaweche/Ekwandeni Shapefile in operation derived from satellite imagery.

Data source #sYsoe3Rp

File
Publication title
About - Jacoma Estates
Organisation
Jacoma Estates

Data source #Wo-XObEK

Url
Publication title
Tropha Limited
Organisation
Agdevco
Comment on data source
Agdevco company website
Agdevco company website URL not found:http://www.agdevco.com/portfolio.php?projectId=38

Data source #_oYcCnDG

Url
Comment on data source
AgDevCo corporate brochure
Url link no longer available: https://www.agdevco.com/uploads/Case%20Studies%20-%202019/AgDevCo%20Brochure_September%202019.pdf

Data source #bHscEZgS

Publication title
AgDevCo Invests US$2 Million in Malawian Macadamia Not Company
Organisation
Globalaginvesting

Data source #XaHDLZYv

Publication title
AgDevCo invests USD 2M in Malawian macadamia nut company
Organisation
PRNewswire
Comment on data source
Farm Land Grab- AgDevCo invests USD 2M in Malawian macadamia nut company
Farm Land Grab- AgDevCo invests USD 2M in Malawian macadamia nut compan Main data source link:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/agdevco-invests-usd-2m-in-malawian-macadamia-nut-company-283801881.html

Data source #kPPeUu0Y

Url
Publication title
Tropha Limited expands its purchases of chillies and paprika from smallholder farmers in Malawi
Date
2020
Organisation
agdevco
Comment on data source
Tropha Limited expands its purchases of chillies and paprika from smallholder farmers in Malawi
Url link no longer available: http://www.agdevco.com/uploads/News/Tropha%20news%20story%20March%202015%281%29.pdf

Data source #TC_rmi2v

File
Url
Organisation
cdcgroup
Comment on data source
CDC website
CDC website Url link no longer available: https://www.cdcgroup.com/en/our-investments/investment/jacoma-estates-limited/

Data source #VGGZTZVw

File
Type
Company sources
Url
Keep PDF not public
No
Publication title
TROPHA ESTATES LIMITED BASELINE SURVEY AGDEVCO SMALLHOLDER DEVELOPMENT UNIT
Organisation
Tropha Estates Limited - Smallholder Development Unit (SDU) de AgDevCo
Comment on data source
Local communities information