The report, Trends and Impacts of Foreign Investment in Developing Country Agriculture, emphasises that investment projects that combine the strengths of the investor (capital, management and marketing expertise, and technology) with those of local farmers (labour, land, local knowledge) are most successful.
Business models that leave farmers in control of their land give them an incentive to invest in land improvements and also favour sustainable development. The publication offers a number of case studies on the impact of foreign investment in Africa and Asia, including large scale land deals often referred to as land grabbing.
The report advises that acquisition of already-utilised land to establish new large farms should be avoided and other forms of investment should be considered.
Source: FAO
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