Olam International Signs MoU With FGV To Train Gabonese Farmers
JERANTUT, Oct 26 (Bernama) — Olam International Ltd, a leading agri-business company and Felda Global Ventures Holdings Berhad (FGV) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide a training programme in Oil Palm Plantation Management for over 2,000 Gabonese smallholders.
President and Global Head Of Plantations Olam International, R. Supramaniam with FGV President and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Mohd Emir Mavani Abdullah signed the MoU at the Felda Residence Sungai Tekam, here, today.
Supramaniam later told reporters that the programme was part of Project Gabon Realisation Agricoles et des Initives Nationaux Engages (Project Graine), which is a joint initiative of Republic Of Gabon and Olam International to promote agricultural based rural development based on Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) model.
He said, through the programme, the government of Gabon will provide parcels of land to smallholders for oil palm cultivation after the training.
"It is the first time a programme of this scale and nature has been undertaken in Africa with the government of Gabon providing land and financial resources for developing the smallholders’ plantations and logistic infrastructure.
"Olam, as a private enterprise with proven expertise in palm plantation development leads in the development and management of the nucleus and smallholder plantations," he said.
He said, the training programme was now being conducted by FGV with the support of Olam for the first batch of 54 participants.
"Farmers who successfully complete the training programme will be awarded seven hectares of suitable land which will include a 0.5 hectare plot with a house and area for growing food crops," he added.
Meanwhile, Mohd Emir said, the programme demonstrates FGV’s commitment to sustainability and promoting Best Agriculture Practices in palm oil.
"The training programme will have life-changing consequences for its participants and the people of Gabon and will introduce Gabonese farmers to international best practices in modern, sustainable plantation management," he added.
The four-month course includes practical and classroom lessons led by experienced trainers from FGV on plant and soil science, cultivating and maintaining oil palm estates, occupational safety and English language lessons and study visits to relevant facilities such as oil mills and oil palm settlers villages.
— BERNAMA