The Varun's land grabbing project has its origins in 2009. It was then reported that Madagascar had definitely abandoned an infamous $6 billion farming agreement with Daewoo Logistics Corp from Korea., but it might welcome agriculture investment in the future. The 1.3 million ha agreement with Daewoo was cancelled by President Andry Rajoelina, in March 2009. Madagascar’s former President Marc Ravalomanana had resigned following two months of protests and many deaths. Madagascar’s new government was then considering the plans by Varun International, an Indian company, to lease 465,000 hectares of land in the regions of Melaky, Atsinanana and Sofia. An agreement had been actually made between the Indian company VARUN AGRICULTURE SARL and each Association of 13 (thirteen) differents plains in the Sofia Region in Madagascar (Bemanevika, Bekapila, Mahatsinjo, Ambohitoaka, Mahadrodroka, Manandriana, Ankaizina I, Ankaizina II, Bealanana, Maevarano, Amparay, Ankobalava, Ampatsifatsy). Following the signature of the convention between the Chief of SOFIA Region and VARUN AGRICULTURE SARL, on 20th December 2008, the project of joint development for the big plain of Madagascar (GPI MAD project) had the objective to promote cultivation and growing of rice, corn, maize, wheat, pulses, fruits, vegetables and other crops growing in the big plain from the estimated 170,900 ha of land in Sofia region. On January 2009, peasants from the Region and 90% of the mayors of these 13 plains were against this project. They refused the obligation to sell 70% of their products to VARUN which would export them. They also refused the very long-term of the contract : 50 years (can be extended to 99 years). While the land grabbing project by Varun has been stopped, the same Indian company has large energy and mining investments in Madagascar. (See less) |
The Varun's land grabbing project has its origins in 2009. |
| Name of conflict: | Varun land grabbing, Madagascar |
| Country: | Madagascar |
| State or province: | Sofia region |
| Location of conflict: | 13 Plains in the Sofia Region |
| Accuracy of location | HIGH (Local level) |
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Biomass and Land Conflicts (Forests, Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock Management) |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Land acquisition conflicts |
| Specific commodities: | Land Agricultural products |
| Project details | The duration of the agreement would be 50 years and could be extended to 99 years . |
| Project area: | 170,900 |
| Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 1,170,000,000 |
| Type of population | Rural |
| Start of the conflict: | 01/02/2009 |
| End of the conflict: | 01/01/2014 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Varun International (VARUN) from Australia VARUN Industries from India |
| Relevant government actors: | Sofia Region authorities ; President of Madagascar Ravalomanana ; Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM) ; Ministry of Agriculture ; Ministry of Planning and Decentralization |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | TANY Collective for the land defence in Madagascar ; Fikambanan’ny Malagasy Tsy Manan-Kialofana (Association of homeless) ; SEFAFI (civil society organization) |
| Intensity | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Local ejos |
| Forms of mobilization: | Development of a network/collective action Media based activism/alternative media |
| Environmental Impacts | Potential: Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Food insecurity (crop damage) |
| Health Impacts | Potential: Malnutrition |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Potential: Increase in Corruption/Co-optation of different actors, Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
| Project Status | Stopped |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Project cancelled |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | Yes |
| Briefly explain: | VARUN INTERNATIONAL has suspended this project in the Sofia Region. However, the company (VARUN ENERGY) began to explore oil and uranium in other part of the Island. So other conflicts have emerged. But the land grabbing project was stopped. |
| Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 1441 |