SAUDI STAR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PLC.

Saudi Star Agricultural Development PLC (SSAD) is an agriculturally based business owned by Sheik Mohammed Hussein Ali Al-Amoudi, a renowned international businessman with a keen interest in Ethiopia’s economic development efforts, by participating through large scale multi-sector investments.

The main purpose of SSAD is to engage in development ventures of the agricultural sector. It has acquired 10,000 ha of land in (Gambella, Alwero Rice Farm) and 4,020 ha in (Abobo privatized Farm) of agricultural land in Gambella regional state and has well modernized rice processing factories and one cotton ginnery.

Alwero rice farm specifically located in the south-west of Alwero river at downstream of the existing Abobo earth fill dam where it is located at about 45 Km from Gambella city.

The farm is scheduled to cultivate both rain fed and irrigation crops where the irrigation water is diverted from Abobo reservoir dam to cultivate high exportable quality rice crop in the project area.

 The suitability of the whole area is studied and investigated to grow rice crop and was confirmed through series of studies by various agencies starting from the Baro-Akobo Basin study in 1986 by Russian Consultants.

In general, the company plans to accomplish the following, amongst many other objectives, improved food security, increased foreign exchange earnings, and generate employment and uplift the standard of living of the local rural communities.

The form of business is Private Limited Company, Sheik Mohammed Hussein Ali Al-Amoudi owns 80% of the stock, major shareholder of the company and Mr. Seid Hussein Ali Al-Amoudi owns 20% of the stock. The company adopts equity share/common stock with voting rights.

Saudi Star Agricultural Development PLC (SSAD) is one of the six Companies under Agro-Cluster of MIDROC Investment Group.

Strategic Goal of the Company

The general objective of the company is to fill the gap of rice supply and export oriented agricultural investment in the overall production of the country by establishing a large scale, mechanized and environmentally friendly rice farming in Gambella Regional State.

Specific Objective:

• To establish modern rice farm in Gambella region as a pioneer on the basis of local and international market situation and then to obtain substantial profit.
• To introduce modern agricultural systems, contribute to the local infrastructure development and basic services and create jobs for the unemployed youth and women in the community.
• Promote environmentally friendly and export oriented agricultural investment thereby contribute to the increased earnings foreign currency.

PURPOSE OF THE COMPANY

The purpose of the company is mainly to be the leading investment in agricultural development ventures and in the provision of overall management services. The company’s memorandum of association stipulates the following:-

• Establish a multifaceted Agro-industry and engage in any type of cereal crop production (as principal rice), horticultural and forestry development;
• Engage in developing fishery, poultry, dairy, crop farming and other agricultural activities
• Undertake cattle fattening, sheep and goat rearing activities;
• Involve in flower plantation, especially, development of flower products and breeding of different types of flowers;
• Participate in any type of agricultural and agro-industrial business activities as well as in export of any type of agricultural and agro-industrial products it has produced as per the Ethiopian Investment Law;
• Carry out all other related business activities of the company

DETAILS OF THE COMPANY

• Owner of the company: Sheik Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi
• Nationality: Ethiopian –Saudi Arabian
• Name of the company: Saudi Star Agricultural Development Pvt. Ltd
• Investment Site: Gambella National Regional State, Agnuwa Zone, Abobo Wereda
• Specific location: Alwero Site and Abobo site
• Type of business: Crop Production (Rice, Cotton and Maize farm), fishery, poultry, dairy, cattle fattening, sheep and goat rearing activities & related business activities.
• Principal Investment: Rice Production and Manufacturing
• Total Land Holding: 14,020 hectares
• Developed Land: 10,600 hectares
• Status of the Project: Practically Rice Production

 • Legal Form of organization: Private Ltd Company