In Malolo, in the Republic of the Congo, the first model farm developed under the Mattei Plan is now ready. It is also the first major agricultural project already operational within Italy’s new cooperation strategy with Africa. The BF Future Farm project, developed by BF International—a subsidiary of BF SpA—covers 10,000 hectares dedicated to agricultural production for the local market and is the result of a partnership between Italian development cooperation and private investment.
The initiative has already generated tangible benefits for the area, with infrastructure development underway and the hiring of local workers. The first crops—soybeans and maize—will be planted shortly, with the goal of bringing the entire area into full operation within two years.
The model farm also incorporates Italian industrial technologies and expertise. Ocrim is participating in the project promoted by BF International as part of the Italian industrial supply chain involved, supplying feed mills and contributing to an integrated system that brings together cultivation, services and process organization.
The model farm is designed to strengthen the local agricultural value chain. Under the agreement with the Congolese government, all production is destined for the domestic market rather than for export, with the aim of making the country’s agricultural production more efficient and structurally sound. Conceived as an operational and technological platform, the model farm is intended to be scalable and, once consolidated, replicable in other contexts, adapting to the specific needs of different countries.
For Ocrim, the Malolo project represents a concrete example of how industrial expertise can contribute to structured agricultural development initiatives, built on collaboration, the transfer of know-how and close attention to local contexts.
[1] The Mattei Plan for Africa, officially launched in January 2024, is Italy’s cooperation strategy based on equal partnerships, concrete investments and the development of local economic value chains.
The Plan is named after Enrico Mattei, founder of ENI, who promoted an approach to international cooperation grounded in reciprocity and respect for the interests of producing countries.
