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

by Deininger, Klaus; Byerlee, Derek; Lindsay, Jonathan; Norton, Andrew; Selod, Harris; Stickler, Mercedes

• ISBN13: 9780821385913
• ISBN10: 0821385917
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-01-10
• Publisher: World Bank Publications

Summary

This book aims to provide key pieces of information needed for informed debate about large-scale land acquisition by drawing on the experience from past land expansions, discussing predictions for potential future demand, and providing empirical evidence of what is happening on the ground in the countries most affected by the recent increase in demand for land. It complements demand side considerations with a detailed assessment of the amount of land, whether currently cultivated or not, that might potentially be available for agricultural cultivation at the global and country levels. It then describes in some detail the policies in place to manage land acquisition processes and analyzes how these policies may affect outcomes. This information can help governments in land abundant countries to assess how best to integrate increased demand for land into their rural development strategies and provide opportunities and benefits to all involved, including existing smallholders. This is particularly important as many of these countries also have high yield gaps. It also highlights how, in cases where land acquisition by large investors makes sense from a social, economic, and environmental perspective, governments can create an environment that can help to attract outside investment that contributes to broad-based growth and poverty reduction.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xiii
About the Authors	p. xvii
Acknowledgments	p. xxi
Abbreviations	p. xxiii
Overview	p. xxv
Introduction	p. 1
Notes	p. 7
References	p. 7
Land Expansion: Drivers, Underlying Factors, and Key Effects	p. 9
Past and Likely Future Patterns of Commodity Demand and Land Expansion	p. 10
Future Demand for Agricultural Commodities and Land	p. 13
Lessons from Past Processes of Land Expansion: Regional Perspectives	p. 16
Factors Affecting the Organization of Agricultural Production	p. 28
Can Large-Scale Investment Create Benefits for Local Populations?	p. 34
Conclusion	p. 41
Notes	p. 43
References	p. 44
Is the Recent "Land Rush" Different?	p. 49
Evidence from Media Reports	p. 50
Evidence from Country Inventories	p. 56
Evidence from Project Case Studies	p. 64
Conclusion	p. 70
Notes	p. 72
References	p. 73
The Scope for and Desirability of Land Expansion	p. 75
Methodology and Potential Availability of Land for Rainfed Crop Production	p. 77
Adopting a Commodity Perspective	p. 83
Toward a Country Typology	p. 86
Conclusion	p. 92
Notes	p. 93
References	p. 94
The Policy, Legal, and Institutional Framework	p. 95
Respect for Existing Property Rights to Land and Associated Natural Resources	p. 98
Voluntary and Welfare-Enhancing Nature of Land Transfers	p. 104
Economic Viability and Food Security	p. 109
Impartial, Open, and Cost-Effective Mechanisms to Implement Investments	p. 114
Environmental and Social Sustainability	p. 119
Conclusion	p. 125
Notes	p. 126
References	p. 127
Moving from Challenge to Opportunity	p. 129
Key Areas for Action by Governments	p. 130
Investors	p. 133
Civil Society	p. 137
International Organizations	p. 138
Conclusion: The Need for an Evidence-Based Multistakeholder Approach	p. 141
Notes	p. 143
References	p. 144
Methodology of and Issues Encountered in Collecting Inventory Data	p. 145
Cambodia	p. 145
Democratic Republic of Congo	p. 146
Ethiopia	p. 146
Indonesia	p. 147
Liberia	p. 147
Lao People's Democratic Republic	p. 148
Mozambique	p. 148
Nigeria	p. 149
Pakistan	p. 149
Paraguay	p. 150
Peru	p. 150
Sudan	p. 151
Ukraine	p. 151
Zambia	p. 152
Notes	p. 152
References	p. 153
Tables	p. 155
Figures	p. 181
Maps	p. 187
Contributors	p. 195
Index	p. 199
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