India

Tensions against Indian companies acquiring farmland in Ethiopia are mounting, according to Tehelka

"I know you will think why should President Obama meddle in the affairs of other countries," writes Devlinder Sharma. "I agree, but at least he can stop the American agribiz and finance companies from indulging in offshore farmland grab."

Indian companies are increasingly getting a foothold into South America, acquiring assets and land not just to get entry into its lucrative agricultural market but also to export commodities such as sugar, pulses and edible oils back to India.

Taking a leaf out of the book of progressive farmers of the state who have made it big in South and Central American countries, the Punjab government is now exploring taking up land on lease in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico to grow foodgrain and export it for domestic consumption.

What India can learn from China is not its alarming passion for buying farmland in poor countries but its awareness of the value of agricultural land to meet the food needs of its citizens.

Gambela’s new tag as a land grabbing hub comes as BHO Agro Plc becomes the third Indian firm to begin operations in the region after two other Indian companies, Karuturi and Ruchi Group, moved into Gambela in 2008 and early 2010, respectively.

As India looks at avenues beyond its shores to deal with food security, Uganda, which has nearly half the arable land in east Africa, has laid the red carpet for inward investment from India Inc.

ASSOCHAM, India's apex industry body, has sent a proposal to the external affairs ministry offering to act as facilitator to help Indian farmers get farmland in Africa.

Sudan is seeking to attract at least $1bn of capital for its agricultural sector from Arab and Asian investment groups, which are turning to Africa in search of new food supplies as their governments try to manage the impact of commodity price inflation.

DRC, with 80 million ha of rich arable soil of which only 5% is cultivated, has invited Indian investors in the area of largescale farming to come and assess the possibilities.

Indian commercial farmers plan to invest in a new model farm in Zambia, according to the government.

Indian floriculture companies are moving into other agri-products in the world's second-largest continent.