Indian company signs an MoU with Zambia Development Agency to facilitate the acquisition of 100,000 hectares of land for agricultural development in Zambia.

There are concerns about tax exemptions, an investment protection pact and a tax on foreign investors, but there no restrictions for Saudi investors to possess lands in Argentina, the Saudi Minister of Agriculture says

New report by GRAIN shows how Saudi businessmen are pursuing deals in Africa that would give them control over some of the continent's most productive farmlands.

By 2014, the area under rice cultivation is expected to reach 5,000 hectares, and the harvest is projected at 57,000 tonnes of rice a year.

The fund will operate according to a Code of Conduct for Land Acquisition and Land Use in to prevent unsustainable practices.

As wealthy investors continue to buy up agricultural land in the developing world, stakeholders disagree over how to regulate such transactions.

Not surprisingly, the backlash from people in Africa against Indian farmland investments has begun.

Efforts must be made to ensure that foreign access to local agricultural lands follow strict guidelines

Contract covers the lease of 25,000 ha in the Regional State of Gambela for a period of 40 years, with option for renewal, for the production of sugar cane.

Covers 10,000 ha in Gambela Regional State for the production of rice, for an initial period of 50 years, with option for renewal.

The participants will explore emerging trends in agriculture in GCC states and Africa and debate on how to turn them into mutually beneficial business relations between the two sides.

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