Illovo - Socio-Economic Impact Report 2014/15 - page 7

During the reporting period, following extensive collaboration with external stakeholders, particularly non-
governmental organisations, we released our Group Guidelines on Land and Land Rights (available on
our website at
)
, for our operations and our supply chain. In these guidelines, we
espouse a zero tolerance to land grabs and set out our position on land, land rights, land acquisitions
and sustainable farming practices.
Our position on land acquisition is that, in relation to any green-field or other project which might involve
land acquisitions, we will conduct detailed environmental and social impact assessments, engage with all
affected stakeholders, and as a first priority, avoid the displacement of any persons from the land, or
where displacement cannot be avoided, ensure that the free, prior and informed consent of all the
affected persons is obtained and that the appropriate and agreed compensation is paid. Illovo is
committed to the implementation of the principles contained in these guidelines through various
initiatives which will be implemented in a phased approach. Using the benefit of our long-term
experience as a major land user on the African continent, and with the assistance of other key
stakeholders, including representatives of the local communities in which we operate, local government
and non-governmental organisations, we have embarked upon the development of a detailed ‘Road map
to Zero tolerance’ using support from independent expertise. We have identified the following key
projects, which we will implement over the next year:-
In Mozambique, we have introduced an initiative to examine land rights and land registration in the
area surrounding our Maragra operation comprehensively. This initiative forms part of a larger
process to develop a detailed set of development guidelines and principles which will be
implemented in relation to this and other new smallholder land development, and includes:
o
the use of technology to measure, register and verify ownership of every plot of land, regardless
of size; and
o
focus on civic education, social mobilisation and capacity building initiatives to assist community
members to make informed decisions about their land, livelihoods and future.
The project is being piloted through a multi-stakeholder forum which includes representatives of all
key stakeholders and development partners.
In Malawi, to further our commitment to introduce measures that will assist in the resolution of
disputes involving competing land rights claims, we have initiated a multi-stakeholder engagement
process to resolve the current on-going land conflicts amongst outgrowers and community members
in the Dwangwa area, which includes primarily representatives of the local communities, outgrower
organisations, and the government, together with land experts, development partners and
international NGOs to assist the communities in reaching a fair and equitable solution for all parties.
In addition to the stakeholder engagement process, the initiative includes independent land surveys and
processes to support income generating opportunities, social development and food security to address
some of the root causes of land conflict. No displacements occurred during the year under review.
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