Site assessment: 10 000 ha for soybeans, wheat and corn production in Zambia
Despite being impossible to access by car, especially during the rainy season, our experts managed to go on-site to assess its natural conditions. In less than one month, we provided the client with a pre-feasibility report including an FGM’s analysis of his land assets.
The challenge
The client wanted to make sure that the land granted by the local authorities was suitable for large-scale production of soybeans, wheat and corn. The site, located in a very remote area, had never been farmed before and thus had to be studied as a virgin site.
FGM results
Despite being impossible to access by car, -especially during the rainy season-, our experts managed to go on-site to assess its natural conditions. In less than one month, we provided the client with a pre-feasibility report including an FGM’s analysis of his land assets.
Site assessment preparation
FGM optimized the achievements of the on-site mission by preparing the investigation prior to going on site with:
- Topographic analysis to investigate site elevation, contour lines and zones to be excluded,
- Data collection and review of existing studies,
- Preliminary assessment of land occupation and identification of site access,
- Identification of points of interest to be investigated as a priority while on site.
On-site assessment
Assessing agricultural potential of virgin sites
- Review of site location and access,
- Assessment of water availability and topography,
- Appraisal of soil potential and collection of soil samples for analysis,
- Investigation of energy availability (national grid vs generators),
- Collection and analysis of local data (water, climate, power supply, local prices),
- Determination of the availability of human resources for large-scale farming,
- Evaluation of the social and environmental impact of the project,
- Collection of up-to-date economic figures,
- Examination of surrounding projects’ agronomic potential for similar crops.
Reporting
FGM International can access very remote site despite access issues
FGM International findings and recommendations were delivered in a detailed pre-feasibility report including:
- Appraisal of the agronomic potential and suitability for wheat, corn and soybean,
- Evaluation of the total cultivable area and final land occupation mapping, highlighting location and acreage of each type of land (cultivated, forest, plant, prone to flood)
- Evaluation of technical requirements for the development including land preparation, access and infrastructure,
- Identification of key factors of success and main challenges to take-over,
- Recommendation for additional surveys,
- Project phasing and milestones for the development of the project.
Provided services in the frame of this project
Interesting reading relevant to this project
Zambia
5 experts
2019
1 Month
10000 ha
Undisclosed
Assigned competencies
- GIS and Mapping Expert,
- Agro-Economist,
- Senior Large-Scale Farm Management Expert,
- Senior Large-Scale Farm Operations Expert,
- Senior Large-Scale Farm Development and Procurement Expert.
