- Former World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Program Coordinator to Lead Environmental Sustainability Efforts

LIMBE, Cameroon, Jan. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Herakles Farms (also known as SG-SOC), a New York-based agriculture company operating in Ghana and Cameroon, today announced the appointment of Dr. Atanga Ekobo to the position of Vice President of Conservation. Dr. Ekobo's hire marks one of many steps that Herakles Farms is taking to strengthen its in-house environmental conservation capabilities as the company continues to pursue the highest environmental standards with respect to its commercial palm oil project in the South West Region of Cameroon. 

Dr. Ekobo, a native of Cameroon, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Yaounde in 1983 and went on to earn his Doctorate in Conservation Biology from the University of Kent, England in 1995.  Dr. Ekobo's career includes more than 20 years working with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Cameroon, where for the past ten years he was the Program Coordinator for the WWF Coastal Forests Programme.  During his time working with WWF, Dr. Ekobo focused on programs and studies within the South West Region of Cameroon, the current location of Herakles Farm's commercial oil palm project.  Dr. Ekobo began working in the Korup National Park as early as 1988, where he initiated a research project on forest elephants.  During his long career in Cameroon, Dr. Ekobo has been a staunch proponent of environmental conservation and was instrumental in many important conservation projects, including the creation of more than half of the national parks located in the Cameroon part of the Congo Basin, as well as the Bakossi Landscape Project and projects related to Korup National Park, Mt. Cameroon National Park and Banyang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary.

"As with any commercial-scale agricultural project, there is a need to address the concerns of all of the stakeholders that might be impacted by it," stated Bruce Wrobel, CEO of Herakles Farms. "We believe the addition of Dr. Ekobo to Herakles Farms' expanding conservation team will go a long way in helping us address the concerns of those environmental organizations that have exhibited anxiety over the project.  Dr. Ekobo has an intimate knowledge of the region, a deep understanding of the concerns expressed and the expertise to strengthen our internal controls and procedures.  Hiring someone of this caliber illustrates the company's commitment to responsible agricultural development and environmental stewardship.  I couldn't be more pleased to welcome Dr. Ekobo to the Herakles team."

"I have been following with great interest Herakles Farms' process of continual improvement and growth," said Dr. Atanga Ekobo. "Herakles Farms respects the biodiversity in the region in which it operates and strives to preserve the surrounding ecosystem.  In my new role, I will further help Herakles Farms to ensure that palm oil is produced in an environmentally sustainable way."

About Herakles Farms
Established in 2009, Herakles Farms is focused on identifying and implementing solutions to important food security issues in Africa. The management team has a track record of developing environmentally and socially sustainable projects that result in economic development in some of the least-developed African countries, and has received numerous awards for its work. Herakles Farms is guided by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards and Equator Principles. www.heraklesfarms.com

Contact Information:
Herakles Farms
+1-212-351-0000
publicrelations@heraklesfarms.com