As most GCC countries import most of their food, they are interested in investing in Africa’s arable land and establishing export-oriented farming businesses. However, GCC investors are increasingly aware of legal and political risks associated with such investments.
According to Michael Yabsley of the Australian Gulf Council, agricultural land is among the top asset classes in Australia being considered by Gulf investors who have placed food security at the top of their priorities.
The 24 Land lease agreements recently disclosed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture reveals that the federal Government has so far leased about 350,099ha of land.
Sugar may seem innocuous enough, but sweet-toothed Western consumers could be fuelling conflict between poor farming communities and big business with every spoonful. Sam Campbell reports from Phnom Penh
The potential investors are interested in breeding corn and forage crops, and to export the produce to China.
The Environmental Forum of Indonesia says fifty-percent of the country’s oil palm plantations are owned by foreign parties.
Dairy exporter Fonterra is expanding in South America with plans for a pilot dairy farm in Brazil.
On March 5, 2011 in the presence of armed security forces the lease agreement was signed against payments from 173,000,000.00 Leones stacked on a table and paid to those signing the agreement.
The Zambia Development Agency has short-listed 10 local and foreign companies (such as Chayton Capital or Pro Alia Investment) which expressed interest in the development of Nansanga farm block (155 000 ha) in Serenje.
Tianjin State Farms plans to buy 10,000 hectares of land in north-western Bulgaria to grow corn and other fodder crops that will be shipped to China, Bulgaria's agricultural ministry said.
UAE investments in Vietnam have reached $3 billion and are set to surge with local companies considering opportunities in agricultural lands, real estate and energy.
The land will be used to grow and process rice, corn, peanuts, cotton and cereals, the Communications Ministry said.
