US

Profit-hungry investors hope to avoid the stigma and opposition associated with land grabbing by partnering with local business development groups.

Abu Dhabi's Jenaan Investment owns and leases properties in Egypt and Sudan, as well as leasing land in Tanzania, Ethiopia and the US.

Optima Fund Management is picking up new U.S. farm properties at a brisk pace as it prepares to take public its farmland real estate investment trust.

Investors eyeing agriculture in global markets are increasingly merging their pursuit of profits with a philanthropic zeal.

Pension funds, foundations and endowments want a hedge against inflation and a safe place for their money.

Mounting concern over security of food supplies is spurring a wave of private-sector investment in Africa.

The approved sale of a large Otago dairy farm to Harvard University in the United States is not in New Zealand's long-term interests and shows a lack of clear and strong rules on foreign ownership of NZ land, says Labour.

"Will the Chinese government purchase goods in China to be used on their farmland in Africa? We have seen a few tenders, yes, definitely. Is this becoming a trend? Most likely, and this will be a nice add-on to the business case that we are running here."

An American university is buying a New Zealand dairy farm for more than $28 million as officials and would-be overseas investors get ready for new rules.

New Zealand's Federated Farmers is welcoming the purchase of a big slice of farmland in central Otago by Harvard University for $34.1 million.

Investment managers in the US report rising interest from pension schemes and retail investors in funds that buy and run farmland in developed countries.

TIAA is among the largest institutional investors in agriculture, with investments in more than 400 farms in North America, South America, Australia, and Eastern Europe as part of its General Account.