Agricultural Reform Day
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Every 30 September is Agricultural Reform Day in São Tomé and Príncipe to commemorate the nationalising of many of the largest plantations in the country immediately following independence. In 2026, Agricultural Reform Day falls on Wednesday 30 September. The holiday will be on Thursday 30 September in 2027. With the economy of São Tomé and Príncipe overwhelmingly dominated by agriculture, especially cocoa, coffee, and coconuts, the question of who owns the limited prime agricultural lands is an important one. Most of the plantations were owned by Portuguese farmers before independence, but within months of breaking from Portugal politically, the new government also seized much of this agricultural land and brought them under state control. This provided a source of revenue to the fledgling republic, which was used in part to help develop the economy and the infrastructure of São Tomé and Príncipe.
History
Every 30 September is Agricultural Reform Day in São Tomé and Príncipe to commemorate the nationalising of many of the largest plantations in the country immediately following independence. Most of the plantations were owned by Portuguese farmers before independence, but within months of breaking from Portugal politically, the new government also seized much of this agricultural land and brought them under state control
How It's Celebrated
Every 30 September is Agricultural Reform Day in São Tomé and Príncipe to commemorate the nationalising of many of the largest plantations in the country immediately following independence. The holiday will be on Thursday 30 September in 2027. This provided a source of revenue to the fledgling repub