Olam’s low-impact development challenges in Africa

Dr Christopher Stewart, Olam’s global head, corporate responsibility and sustainability, discusses with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh the company’s global operations, and particular in Gabon, and the challenges in developing sustainable agriculture plantations in forested areas that allow for local economic development at the least environmental impact

Stewart outlines how Olam has responded to activist criticisms, why the company has agreed to a moratorium on new plantations in Gabon and the need for better boundary conditions around acceptable development. Smallholder farmers are a vitally important part of Olam’s future ability to trade in the commodities it supplies, and Stewart explains what Olam is doing to help smallholders grow their businesses sustainably.