Sime Darby allowed to clear 5,000 hectares in Liberia
Malaysia’s agri-conglomerate Sime Darby got the nod from Liberian authorities and villagers to clear some 5,000 hectares of land in the African nation for oil palm and rubber plantations.
The deal was preceded by accusations of land grabbing and allegations by a non-governmental organisation that Sime Darby would “harm biodiversity and depriving farmers of their livelihoods.”
However, a memorandum signed on June 28 assured the villagers’ blessing for the company to develop the land. It was witnessed by Liberian officials, civil society representatives and traditional elders.
Sime Darby has signed an agreement with Liberia to develop about 220,000 hectares of land for 63 years but said it had so far planted only 7,000 hectares of the land awarded it by the government. The company denied all allegations made by environmental group Friends of the Earth and said it respects “the local laws of Liberia and the traditions and practices of the Liberian people” and “actively engages with community leaders and the community itself before any development.”
The palm oil giant added that it currently employs more than 3,000 Liberians at its plantation operations in the country. Once its estates are fully planted, it will create up to 35,000 jobs, “which will help Liberia address critical unemployment issues and rebuild its economy.”
[caption id="attachment_11692" align="alignleft" width="240"] Liberian and Malaysian flag at a Sime Darby plantation in Liberia[/caption] Malaysia's agri-conglomerate Sime Darby got the nod from Liberian authorities and villagers to clear some 5,000 hectares of land in the African nation for oil palm and rubber plantations. The deal was preceded by accusations of land grabbing and allegations by a non-governmental organisation that Sime Darby would "harm biodiversity and depriving farmers of their livelihoods." However, a memorandum signed on June 28 assured the villagers’ blessing for the company to develop the land. It was witnessed by Liberian officials, civil society representatives and traditional...
Malaysia’s agri-conglomerate Sime Darby got the nod from Liberian authorities and villagers to clear some 5,000 hectares of land in the African nation for oil palm and rubber plantations.
The deal was preceded by accusations of land grabbing and allegations by a non-governmental organisation that Sime Darby would “harm biodiversity and depriving farmers of their livelihoods.”
However, a memorandum signed on June 28 assured the villagers’ blessing for the company to develop the land. It was witnessed by Liberian officials, civil society representatives and traditional elders.
Sime Darby has signed an agreement with Liberia to develop about 220,000 hectares of land for 63 years but said it had so far planted only 7,000 hectares of the land awarded it by the government. The company denied all allegations made by environmental group Friends of the Earth and said it respects “the local laws of Liberia and the traditions and practices of the Liberian people” and “actively engages with community leaders and the community itself before any development.”
The palm oil giant added that it currently employs more than 3,000 Liberians at its plantation operations in the country. Once its estates are fully planted, it will create up to 35,000 jobs, “which will help Liberia address critical unemployment issues and rebuild its economy.”
