New book explains the reasons behind the land grab phenomenon and why so many Ethiopians are not only alarmed but also adamantly opposed to it.

Changes to land laws are under discussion in Brazil, this time based on reciprocity. One result is that Chinese investors would be banned from buying any land in Brazil, as China does not permit private ownership of land.

Roger Ferguson, chief executive of TIAA-CREF, says his firm is increasingly acquiring farmland in the US, Eastern Europe, Australia and Brazil as long term investments.

a primer presenting the local situation of oil palm plantations in Mindanao

The MoA has identified a total of 2.6 million ha of land fit for cultivation of cotton, which is equivalent to what Pakistan, the fourth largest cotton producer in the world, uses for the same purpose.

A massive land grab is unfolding on the African continent, mired in secrecy and spearheaded by hedge funds, financial speculators and foreign companies. South Sudan has become one of the latest frontiers for these investors.

Karuturi Global Ltd. is to construct embankments around 25,000ha of farmland, half the size of Addis Abeba, in Gambela, at a cost of US$15 million, following its report of a loss of US$15 million due to flooding.

The Environmental Protection Agency has imposed US$50,000 fine on the Sime Darby Plantation Inc. with immediate effect as a result of non-compliance with the terms and conditions of a permit.

Wingecarribee Shire Council has asked the state and federal governments to apply greater scrutiny to the acquisition of Australian land by foreign governments by setting up a registry of foreign land ownership.

While certain provisions in contracts can contain sensitive commercial information that may require a level of confidentiality, it does not justify keeping all information about large-scale agricultural projects outside the public domain.

Asset owners and managers are signing up to a series of principles on how they invest in agricultural land. Will this mollify critics of the land grab? Nick Lord reports.

The flooding that breached specially built barriers near Karuturi’s plantations couldn’t have been predicted, Karuturi claims.