Deal #4603

Gabon
Created at
2015-03-03
Last update
2023-02-13
Last full update
2021-04-26

Land area

Intended size
200 000 ha
Size under contract (leased or purchased area)
  • [2016, current] 58400 ha
Size in operation (production)
  • [2017] 7500 ha
  • [2018, current] 8623 ha
Comment on land area
A palm oil plantation operated by Olam under the SOTRADER flag, located in Ndende region, covering 7,500ha in 2017. A whole network of smallholder farmers mostly focuses on growing food crops for the local market through a network of own distribution facilities. One source states that the project is 200,000 hectares- 120,000 will go to small-scale farmers and 80,000 to industrial agriculture. For now the only activity is outgrower scheme which is aimed at 58400ha (planted area 7502ha). The project is being implemented slower than expected.

Intention of investment

Intention of investment
  • [2016, current] Food crops, Agriculture unspecified (31121 ha)
  • [2016, current] Conservation (27279 ha)

Nature of the deal

Nature of the deal
Lease
Comment on nature of the deal
long-term (49 year, renewable to 99 year) agriculture lease (Bail Emphyteotique signed between the Director General of Olam Gabon, the President of Republic of Gabon and Minister of Town Planning and Housing (Ministre de l’Urbanisme et du Logement). Within this, each farmer will be awarded a title deed for their 7hectares.

Negotiation status

Negotiation status
  • [2014] Intended (Under negotiation)
  • [2016, current] Concluded (Contract signed)

Implementation status

Implementation status
  • [2016] In operation (production)
  • [2020] In operation (production)
  • [2021, current] In operation (production)

Contract farming

Contract farming
Yes
On leased / purchased
Yes
On leased area/farmers/households
  • [2018, current] 7000 ha 16000
Comment on contract farming
Under the Gabonaise des Réalisations Agricoles et des Initiatives des Nationaux Engagés (Graine) scheme. Land allocated to co-operatives of Gabonese citizens. Each farmer will receive around 7hectares each. The government aims to attract 20,000-30,000 households. 42000ha under oil palm and 8000ha under food crops. In 2019, around 16,000 smallholders are said to be enrolled in the program, under nearly 800 cooperatives to exploit just over 7,000 ha of developed land. Partner with local NGO to support cooperative and scheme smallholders