Land grabbing by foreign investors in developing countries: Risks and opportunities

This policy brief examines the increasing number of large-scale land grabbing in developing countries, through agricultural investments from foreign private companies mostly. Increased foreign investment may potentially be beneficial in those poor, rural areas if they enable infrastructure to be built and people's livelihoods to be developed. evertheless, this investment should not lead to the exclusion of local communities and non sustainable land use. In that case, there would be major risks.

An enabling environment should be created in which negotiated and equitable contracts can be established.All (not just national) available institutional mechanisms should be used. International law should be adapted and met, new policies should be adopted at the national level. Civil society, local communities and the media should also be strongly involved.

 IFPRI - April 2009