STRAFOR is investing in prime agricultural land across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with the objective of creating a sustainable agricultural business focusing on the incredibly high demand for both cash crops and fresh produce that almost all 54 Countries currently import. Africa is facing a fast growing population which will dramatically increase the demand for staple foods. According to the Economist (article of March 26 2020), Africa’s population will double by 2050. It is also looking at a worsening food supply shortage, with food imports in over the past few decades in Africa has more than tripled, reaching about US$35 billion a year and expecting to reach USD 110 Billion by 2025 according to World Bank.

In rice alone the continent imports about 12.6 million tons of rice per year since 2007, costing an estimated US$ 6.4 billion according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This is a very risky, expensive and unsustainable situation, and it may lead to severe food insecurity and civil instability in some African countries. Soaring and highly volatile rice prices and relatively low levels of global rice stocks are predicted to remain the norm over the next 10 years. However, Africa has the human, physical and economic resource to produce enough rice to feed itself.

STRAFOR has over the years through its associated Group Companies and businesses established solid, credible working relationships with various Governments on the continent and carried out several independent studies on the viability of commercial large-scale farming in several Countries as well identification and technical evaluation of potential agricultural land suitable to a spectrum of agricultural produce with a focus on Rice, Maize/corn, and wheat as primary products with a secondary focus on fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables. We have identified and successfully negotiated for the acquisition of arable land spread over 10-12 Countries with the objective of creating a sustainable agricultural business where there is an emphasis on proven agricultural best practices which are typically not used yet in Africa, combining modern harvesting and milling machinery together with extensive tooling and training of the local farmers working the land. Depending on local context, STRAFOR will use a mix of own operation, supported community farming and out-grower schemes for its production.