Agriculture & Forestry

Gabon aims to significantly increase its domestic food security by 2020, while also working to expand its cash crop exports. An integral part of efforts to diversify the economy away from dependence on oil, successful implementation of its agricultural strategy will have a major impact on its balance of payments and generate significant employment growth. The government has initiated a wide-ranging agricultural development policy aimed at boosting the sector’s weight to around 15% of GDP, and attaining self-sufficiency in subsistence crops, fisheries and meat. Major investments in oil palm, rubber, sugar, coffee, cocoa, maize and soya will boost exports and meet domestic demand in the next seven years. This chapter contains an interview with Sunny Verghese, Group Managing Director and CEO, Olam International.