Grim prospects for Sime Darby in Bomi
- Liberian Observer
- 05 Apr 2011
It appears that the Bomi County operations of Sime Darby are being hindered as locals there are reportedly holding back lands leased by the government of Liberia to the company.
It appears that the Bomi County operations of Sime Darby are being hindered as locals there are reportedly holding back lands leased by the government of Liberia to the company.
The move comes after two fact-finding missions led by the foreign secretary last year found farming in the so-called dark continent "exceedingly lucrative" for Bangladeshi investors.
Indonesia's move to bring in a two-year moratorium on new palm oil plantations has seen agribusiness giants like Sime Darby switch expansion plans to Cameroon, Ghana and Liberia.
Asian palm oil producers are being accused of cashing in on Africa in their search to expand production
Le géant agro-industriel ivoirien Sifca a réalisé à quelques semaines d'intervalle deux opérations majeures dans le caoutchouc (22 000 ha) et l’huile de palme (8 800 ha).
The world's biggest listed palm oil firm, is on the lookout for more land, in a move sure to fuel the global grab for arable land as food prices remain high.
Report provides legal analysis of twelve land deals from different parts of Africa, and discusses the contractual issues for which public scrutiny is most needed.
The lure of cheap land and the promise of making big money are making local farmers and NRIs invest in African countries like Liberia and Ethiopia, whose economies were wrecked by the civil wars.
The company was granted a 220,000 ha concession in Liberia in 2009 and will begin planting oil palm on 10,000 hectares in April.
Signed on January 21, 2011
Locals in Liberia accuse company of illegally clearing their land and of poor labor and environmental practices.
Indian businessman also has major stakes in farmland investors Ruchi Soya, KS Oils and Equitorial Palm Oil.