The much-discussed Congo land-lease, granting 200,000 hectares to South African farmers with a further 10 million hectares in the balance, appears to mark a departure from the usual terms underpinning foreign acquisition of fertile land by multinationals

Civil society, including African farmers unions, need to educate local people that such land deals are not in their interests, however couched in 'win-win' terminology they appear to be.

Africa’s agrarian questions are not adequately addressed by simply asking, “What is the role of African smallholders?”

Contrary to past trends, countries in the Global South are initiating much of the investment.

International executives urged Russia to maximise its potential by encouraging more private investment and opening up more land to foreign investors.

Stephen Marks looks at the latest rush by China and countries in the middle east to sign lease agreements in poor countries for agricultural production, and what this trend means in terms of food security and access to arable land for local populations.