Release
Targeting a broader outlook at the opportunities that rubber plantation presents in West &Central Africa and supported by Ministry of Food & Agriculture, (MOFA) Republic of Ghana, CMT is pleased to host the inaugural RubberPlant Africa, on 04-05 September in Accra, Ghana.
With global demand for natural rubber consistently rising, plantation companies are venturing into West & Central African regions such as Malawi, Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, Cote d’Ivoire and Liberia, where arable land is abundant and the climatic conditions are suitable for plantation. Realising the potential of this region, corporate giants like Olam and Bakrie Delano have invested $4.5 billion and $500 million for rubber and palm oil in Gabon and Nigeria respectively.
Key Ministry officials, renowned experts and top industry players will gather in Accra this September to discuss the challenges and opportunities that Africa has to offer, from investment and incentives to operational aspects of managing rubber plantations. Supported by MOFA, Republic of Ghana, the conference will be graced with a Ministerial Address on ‘Investment Opportunities in Palm Oil & Rubber Plantations in Ghana’ by Hon. Yaw Effah-Baafi, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Ghana. Following this, Hon. Dr. Florence Chenoweth, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture of Liberia, will elaborate on ‘Liberia: Role of Oil Palm Investments and Investors in Rural Prosperity Building and Food Security’. Senior Representative from Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development – Gabon, Mr. Pierre Andre Owona Ndongo, will also deliver an official session titled ‘Land Issues, Policies & Incentives for Rubber Investments in Africa’.
To impart an all-inclusive outlook on the plantation industry scenario in Africa, this event is held consecutively with Palm Oil Africa on 05-06 September at the same venue, with shared sessions on the second day of RubberPlant Africa.
Themed “Seeking Investment Opportunities & Alliances in Africa’s Vast Rubber Potential”, the program agenda features topics ranging from agricultural investments and risk aversion to policies for rubber cultivation, global rubber market outlook, and biomass potentials from rubber trees, as well as best agronomic practices, soil assessment, and operational strategies.
These include:
Global Rubber Fundamentals: The Outlook for Supply, Demand & Price,
John McClure, Research Economist, LMC International Ltd
Investors Perspectives: Rubber Cultivation in West Africa
Opportunities for Rubber Investment in Liberia
Brian Caouette, President, Farmbuilders
From Trees to Woodchips: Biomass Opportunities for Rubber Farms
Jean-Francois Guillon, Founder and Managing Director Africa Renewables Ltd.
Land Issues, Policies & Incentives for Rubber Investments in Africa
- Malawi
Noel G. Lihiku, Planning and Research Manager, Malawi Investment Promotion Agency – MIPA
- Cameroon
Pierre Andre Owona Ndongo, Senior Representative, Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Devt.
-Gabon
Production and Yield Improvement of Hevea brasiliensis in West Africa: Present and Prospects
Dr. Kenneth Omokhafe, Director & Head of Department, Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria
Recent Trends in Land Evaluation for Improved Rubber Cultivation in Cameroon
Dr. Eugene Ejolle Ehabe, Director, Institute of Agricultural Research & Development (IRAD)
Performance of the RRIMFLOW System of Exploitation in Rubber Plantations in West Africa
Dr. Sivakumaran A/L Seenivasagam, Executive Director (Research & Development) Greenyield Berhad
Rubber Soil Mapping and Assessment of Land Suitability
Dr. Julius R. Orimoloye, Chief Research Officer. Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria
Challenges in Adoption of New Technologies in Rubber Plantations in Cote d’Ivoire
Dr. Kouadio Dian, Operation Officer, Professional Association of Natural Rubber Cote d'Ivoire (APROMAC)
Strategies for Success: A Model for Agri-Investments in Africa
Land Banks & Availability for Rubber & Palm Oil Investments in Ghana
Stephen Kumadoh, Principal Evaluator, Lands Commission
Business Environment & Investment Incentives for Tree-Crop Production
Dr. George Aboagye, CEO , Ghana Investment Promotion Council (GIPC)
Financing RoundTable : Agriculture Financing Facilities & Risk Mitigation in Africa
Mouhamadou Niang, Division Manager, Industries and Services Division, Private Sector Dept, African Development Bank
Bedu Addo Kweku, CEO
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana
Senior Representative
IFC/MIGA
This 1.5 days summit will bring together the crème of the industry and key-decision makers, representatives from major companies as well as plantation owners, agri-business investors, Regulatory Affairs Officials, financiers, traders, consultants and many more.
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