Agriculture: Germ of an asset class

• IP&E
• 02 July 2019

According to asset managers, a window is emerging for institutional money to flow into agriculture due to change of ownership, notably in markets such as Australia and the US.

More than 7,000 hectares of farm land available for development through DAA pilot project

• The Scoop
• 28 June 2019

The government of Brunei offering heavily subsidised land for rent to both locals and foreigners. 300 hectares of government-owned agricultural land have been given out over the past two years as part of state efforts to fuel growth of agriculture industry.

Chinese rice farm helps boost food security, employment in central Uganda

• Xinhua
• 27 June 2019

Apart from its own 3000 acre (1200ha) farm, Zhong's Industries Ltd plans to also use the out-grower model where millions of acres of land will be opened up for rice farming across the country.

Preparation of an international guidance document on agricultural land investment contracts

• UNIDROIT
• 27 June 2019

A UNIDROIT Working Group is currently developing, in collaboration with FAO and IFAD, a future Legal Guide on Agricultural Land Investment Contracts. The online consultation on the ALIC Zero Draft is open from 1 June until 30 September 2019.

Customary land map, a first for Indonesia, launches to mixed reception

• Mongabay
• 26 June 2019

Indonesia has published its first ever map of customary forests, in a move it says to prevent land grabs by businesses and resolve existing conflicts.But indigenous rights activists are unconvinced, saying land recognition process for local communities continues to be hampered by onerous bureaucratic requirements.

Big four banks financing companies accused of human rights abuses

• The Sydney Morning Herald
• 25 June 2019

Australia’s big four banks; ANZ, the Commonwealth Bank, NAB and Westpac are financing companies accused of land grabs, deforestation and labour abuses in developing countries according to a new report by Friends of the Earth Australia.

To stop destruction of Liberia’s rainforest, he put his life on the line

• e360
• 18 June 2019

Alfred Brownell had to flee Liberia after challenging the powerful palm oil and other extractive industries that were clearing its forests.

Australia: CPC property selldown continues, with Ucharonidge divestment

• Beef Central
• 18 June 2019

The sell-down of northern grazing assets continues for Terra Firma’s Consolidated Pastoral Co, with a deal announced today to sell its Ucharonidge station in the Northern Territory to Malcolm Harris’s Cleveland Agriculture.

Wealthy families are adding forests to their portfolios

• Bloomberg
• 18 June 2019

Bank of America’s Specialty Asset Management group manages more than 94,000 assets with a value of $13.6 billion for individuals and institutions looking for timberland, farms, ranches, energy interests, or real estate.

President Bio hails Sunbird Bio-energy

• Global Times
• 18 June 2019

Sunbird Bioenergy, after the recent change of management, is set to produce sugar for the local market in Sierra Leone and for export to neighboring countries

State projects leave tens of thousands of lives in the balance in Ethiopia – study

• Guardian
• 14 June 2019

Giant dam and irrigated sugar plantations mean people in lower Omo valley face starvation and conflict, says US thinktank

Karuturi Global's new land deal in Ethiopia must be scrapped

• ASO et al
• 13 June 2019

A diplomatic intervention by the Indian government and law suits filed by the company appear to have pushed Ethiopian authorities to backtrack and offer a new lease in the Gambella region, this time for 15,000 hectares.