We forecast that it will cost more than US $100 million over the next 10 years to fully develop the farms in Kigoma.

We anticipate starting our farming activities and small farmer and community development programs in Kigoma in 2012. It will take several years for the project to be fully implemented. Agricultural projects require many years to reach their full potential and AgriSol Energy is a long-term investor.

First, our primary objective is to produce crops that serve the demands of our local market. We will work with our government and private businesses to develop and expand local markets and improve food distribution within the country to make sure that this happens. Second, we also believe there is a very good business opportunity [...]

No, we will be leasing the land from our government. While a final price has not yet been agreed to, we believe the terms and conditions will be fair and competitive, and will result in major, long-term benefits to the people of Kigoma first of all, and to other Tanzanians as well. We are negotiating [...]

Yes. Jobs will be developed in numerous places: 1. On our large-scale commercial farms; 2. On the small farms and with the outgrowers as they expand their operations; 3. In the markets that will be developed for selling our crops, and those of others, as well as value-added products; 4. In the infrastructure development that [...]

Our project will produce a broad range of agricultural, economic, infrastructure and societal benefits for our fellow Tanzanians, including: 1. Training in modern farming methods and technology; 2. Increased access to modern inputs (seeds, nutrients, crop protection), tools and farming equipment; 3. Significantly increased crop production, resulting in enhanced food security, and the ability to increase [...]

We recognize that our project is dependent on the support of many different people – not just farmers, but local businesses and the community at large – so we will create community development trust funds to help build community centers, medical clinics, schools, water purification systems, power generation and other infrastructure projects identified by the [...]

Yes, small farmers will be consulted during the next phase of our project’s development. We have just completed our feasibility analysis and preliminary planning, which included a series of listening sessions and a workshop led by us, to solicit local input from political, university and technical leaders at the national, regional and district levels. Twelve [...]

The small farmer, outgrower and community development programs will be funded by income from our farms. This is a critical difference from typical extension programs, which depend on donors. We believe that combining a commercial enterprise with an extension program helps guarantee the program’s funding and long-term viability. Kilombero Sugar, for example, has had such [...]

Yes. Small farmer and outgrower programs are an integral part of our overall project. We will provide local farmers with training in modern agricultural techniques and help them with access to modern inputs (seeds, nutrients, crop protection), tools and equipment. We will also help them secure micro-financing loans from various micro-finance institutions in the country. [...]