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Trends and impacts of foreign investment in developing country agriculture

Evidence from case studies











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    Book (stand-alone)
    Current research on the impacts of investment and the Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investment on developing country agriculture
    A Side Event organized by the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) during the 39th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) 18 October 2012, FAO Headquarters
    2012
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    The Inter-Agency Working Group on the Principles of Responsible Agricultural Investment that Respects Rights, Livelihoods and Resources (PRAI), composed of FAO, IFAD, UNCTAD and the World Bank, held a Side Event entitled on Thursday, 18 October, during the 39th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) at FAO Headquarters in Rome. The objectives of the Side Event were: To present empirical evidence from several streams of ongoing research on responsible agricultural investment in d eveloping countries; to discuss the implications for policy formulation and possible recommendations for foreign and domestic investors, governments, donors and international agencies; to provide inputs into the inclusive CFS consultation process to ensure broad ownership of principles for responsible agricultural investment that enhance food security and nutrition.
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    Book (series)
    Home Country Measures that Promote Responsible Foreign Agricultural Investment 2016
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    This paper summarizes the good practices by nine selected OECD countries that seek to promote responsible foreign investment in developing country agriculture, primarily by investors in their territory or jurisdiction. The study provides examples of the increasing trend of home countries in establishing binding legal norms and other mechanisms as safeguards that are relevant for agricultural investment. It finds that States apply some specific provisions to hold private corporate actors investin g in agriculture abroad accountable, for example in regard to bribery of foreign public officials. Investment home countries are also increasingly using safeguards relevant for agricultural investment for companies that are controlled by the State or seek its support. Furthermore, Public-Private Partnerships are increasingly used in development assistance projects as a means to promote responsible agricultural investment. In these cases, the safeguards usually imply the use of negotiated and app roved instruments such as the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT). The Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI), endorsed in 2014 by the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), will possibly become a major guidance instrument, given recent declarations by the G7 and G20.
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    Document
    Impacts of foreign agricultural investment on developing countries: evidence from case studies 2014
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    There is growing evidence that investing in developing countries’ agricultural sector is among the most efficient ways to reduce poverty and hunger. Agricultural investments can generate a wide range of developmental benefits, but these benefits cannot be expected to arise automatically and some forms of large-scale investment carry risks for host countries. Although there has been much debate about the potential benefits and risks of international investment, there is a lack of systematic evide nce on the actual impacts on the host country and their determinants. This paper summarizes the results of FAO’s case studies on the impacts of foreign agricultural investment on host communities and countries. The studies suggest that the disadvantages of large-scale land acquisitions often outweigh the few benefits to the local community. In countries where local land rights are not clearly defined and governance is weak, large scale land acquisition raises particularly high risks for the loca l community. These include reduced access to natural resources and the loss of livelihoods, which are likely to generate local opposition to the investment. Even from the perspective of the investor, land acquisition is unlikely to be the most profitable business model due to the high potential for conflict and damage to reputation. Conversely, the studies suggest that investments that involve local farmers as equal business partners, giving them an active role and leaving them in control of the ir land, have the most positive and sustainable effects on local economies and social development. These inclusive business models need strong external support for supporting farmers and facilitating the investor-farmers relationship in order to succeed. They also require ‘patient capital’, as financial returns to investment are unlikely to materialize in the first years. Beside the business model, other important factors include the legal and institutional framework in the host country, the ter ms and conditions of the investment contract and the social and economic conditions in the investment area. Strengthening the governance and capacity of institutions in host developing countries is essential to enhancing the developmental impacts of foreign agricultural investment.

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