Olam takes part in outgrower plantation programme

OLAM International Limited will participate in GRAINE¹ scheme, a pioneering outgrower plantation programme launched in the Republic of Gabon in December 2014.

Olam has agreed to a 51%-49% Public Private Partnership with the government of Gabon where the company takes the lower equity ownership. 

Under the joint venture, Gabon will provide land and financial resources for developing the smallholder plantations and logistics infrastructure. Olam, with experience in rural investment models in Africa and knowledge of palm plantations, will impart management training in growing crops to the locals. In addition, farmers will have access to its distribution networks by buying their produce on transparent pricing formula.

Through GRAIN, which is designed to identify, allocate and transfer land to trained Gabonese, both parties aim to achieve a sustainable agricultural economy and improve food security in the long run.

¹ GRAINE stands for Gabonaise des Realisations Agricoles et des Initiatives des Nationaux Engages or Gabonese Initiative for Achieving Agricultural Outcomes with Engaged Citizenry