Rising Global Interest in Farmland: Can It Yield Sustainable and Equitable Benefits?

The recent wave of foreign direct investment in land has caught many African governments by surprise and with policies and institutional arrangements that may need to be adapted to ensure that this phenomenon creates sustainable benefits for local communities and contributes to host countries' long-term development. This report, which is based on a broad review of actual land transfers, global agro-ecological suitability of land, and country-level policy and institutional frameworks, contributes much-needed empirical evidence and at the same time points toward good practice that countries and other stakeholders can draw upon to address the policy challenges raised by this phenomenon. It will be invaluable reading for policy makers and others interested in this important topic.

We have not seen such a renewed global commitment to agricultural development since the Green Revolution 50 years ago. This insightful publication on large-scale land use comes at just the right time, as we place the spotlight back on the role of agriculture and how it drives economic development. It highlights the vast potential between agribusiness investment and increasing smallholder productivity, as well as the importance of improving land governance-all themes important to Feed the Future. I applaud you for filling an information gap, fostering deeper discussions, and informing development planning on food security.

The food security of nations, employment, and population stabilization in rural areas require huge private investment in agriculture, in the long run, especially in Africa. Land tenure security is paramount for smallholders as well as outsider investors. It is a cornerstone for political stability, social equity, and sustainable resource management, namely, soil conservation and the fight against desertification. Therefore, land tenure governance deserves the long-standing commitment of national authorities and aid agencies, among them Agence française de développement. I strongly believe that the private use of land has to be compatible with the general interest and that the respect of land users' rights, formal or customary, individual or common, is a prerequisite for any investment in rural areas.