In recent years, Mennonite Christians have been joined by Brazilian ranchers and private European investors, mainly from France, Germany and the Netherlands, to partake in a 21st Century land rush that has wiped out 1m hectares - nearly 10% of the forest - in just four years.

Mr Daniel Amelorku, District Chief Executive of South Tongu District in the Volta Region of Ghana said his district has provided 1,000 hectares of land to Global Agri-Development Company (GADCO) and would be expanded to 4,000 hectares within four years to achieve the target.

Some pension funds are beginning to question their investments in commodities after accusations that massive flows into the sector have distorted markets, fuelled food inflation and hurt poor nations.

Black River's investment pipeline includes a Chinese pork producer and distributor, a duck farming firm in northern China, a fish producer in Costa Rica and a frozen fish processor in Singapore.

This study is conducted in order to shed light on and investigate the welfare situation for people affected by farmland investments. It deals with three cases in the Oromia region: Castel Winery, Elfora Agro-Industries PLC and Sher Ethiopia PLC

Das Klima ist ideal, Arbeitskräfte sind billig und die lukrativsten Märkte sind nur wenige Flugstunden entfernt. In Äthiopien züchten Investoren tonnenweise Gemüse und Reis. Jedoch nicht für die Bevölkerung.

O governo prepara a flexibilização de tais restrições, já que o objetivo é apenas barrar movimento especulativo com a terra brasileira, como a compra de lotes por fundos de investimento ou investidores que não têm foco na produção.

In recent years sixteen investors, from Israel, Ethiopia and the Netherlands, have opened large-scale farms nearby the village of Hidi, south of Addis Ababa.

Report on the growing popularity of farmland investment in the developing world for European pension funds

Pension funds are deepening their commitment to farmland, upping investments by billions of dollars and moving to active strategies, as a hedge against potential inflation and to diversifty from riskier investments.

European pension funds are investing in global farmland, with a focus on emerging markets. If political problems arise, “You'll have the World Bank on your side,” SilverStreet's chief investment officer said.

"What they are saying is that the local people are now suffering very badly as a direct result of these foreign companies taking over."