Land Availability

Suriname’s borders enclose 16.3 million hectares, 95% of which is covered by tropical rainforest.

Approximately 1.5 million hectares are potentially suitable for agriculture, 85% of which are located in the coastal plains and 15% are on the river terraces in the interior. 

It is estimated that 230,000 hectares were cultivated in the past, 15% of the total land suitable for farming in Suriname. Currently, approximately 60,000 hectares are known to be farmed in Suriname. 

Soil conditions vary between available sites and determine crop yield, labour intensity, requirements for drainage systems and the potential for mechanisation.

Heavy clay soils are fertile, but they may prevent the required level mechanisation for roots and tuber crops (e.g. cassava, sweet potato, ginger). 

Parsha has developed a database, comparing soil conditions, infrastructure and availability.

Data has been collected from survey maps, site visits, soil samples, infrastructure analysis, liaising with local communities and researching ownership status.

We have identified private landowners who wish to enter into long-term lease arrangements and have begun establishing relationships to acquire suitable land.