New activity? The company Sierra Tropical Ltd is starting to produce pineapples. It has started its activities in Sumbuya, Bo district in the south of Sierra Leone.

The agreement was designed in 2019. MIGA (Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency) , one of the members of the World Bank Group, financed the project. The group issued $36 million in guarantees for the design, construction and operation of Sierra Tropical. In addition, MIGA offers protection against abuse and breach of a 10-year contract with Dole Asia Holding, a subsidiary of Itochu Corporation, for its financing.

200 000 t of juice per year

The company currently employs 1,250 people from 11 communities in the Lugbu chiefdom.

According to Patrik Blake, the company's director, the entity is currently cultivating 300 of the 4,335 hectares already leased. Patrick Blake estimates that 200,000 tons of pineapple juice can be produced annually from this land.

According to information received, the products will be exported.

To achieve the company's annual production target, Patrik Blake's strategy is to engage the landowners well in advance of the work. This is to avoid tension and conflict with the communities. According to the CEO, some have agreed to hand over their land within an agreed timeframe. But contrary to this, others did not accept cooperation. They refused to lend their land to Sierra Tropical.

However, it respected the agreement with the landowning families to develop a good relationship and at the same time ensured the peaceful relationship.

In addition, on the one hand, the company adopted a Community Development Action Plan (C.D.P.A). And on the other hand, it has engaged the Environmental Protection Agency to guide them in their operations. 

Santie

Photo Credit: Planète Urgence

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