July 3rd, 2011
Via Al Jazeera, an article looking at how foreign investors, with the World Bank, are acquiring vast tracks of land in Africa – at the expense of local farmers. The “town” chief of the village seemed to be in a state of shock. Sitting on the front porch of his mud and thatch home in […]
Read more »The Dangers of Selling The Farm Down Under
June 18th, 2011
Via Crikey.com, a report on foreign investment and interest in Australia’s farmland: With the world’s population set to hit 7 billion later this year — and 10 billion by the end of the century — top quality agricultural land has never been more valuable. Perhaps it’s with an eye for a good investment opportunity or, as some concerned observers […]
Read more »June 18th, 2011
Courtesy of Agriculture.com, a report that China is increasing its Argentina farmland purchases: Chinese investment is flooding into Argentina as the Asian giant expands its global commodity hunt from the raw materials used in industry to the foodstuffs needed to feed its 1.3 billion citizens. China’s investment in Latin America hit $15.6 billion during the […]
Read more »Quick Studies? Universities Invest In African Farmland
June 12th, 2011
Courtesy of The Guardian, a report that institutions including Harvard and Vanderbilt reportedly use hedge funds to buy African farmland: “…Harvard and other major American universities are working through British hedge funds and European financial speculators to buy or lease vast areas of African farmland in deals, some of which may force many thousands of […]
Read more »June 2nd, 2011
Courtesy of Time, an interesting article on the growing interest in farmland: This is usually a slow time of the year for farm sales. It’s past prime planting season. Yet, Sam Kain, Des Moines area manager for land sales at Farmers National, is busy. He has 3 auctions this week. Most of the 30 or […]
Read more »Lay Of The Land: A Comparison of Farmland Prices Around the World
June 2nd, 2011
Via KnightFrank, an interesting report on the global investment interest in agricultural land: “…The arguments for investing in farmland seem compelling. Food and soft commodity prices have hit record highs (see graph, below). The OECD estimates that food production will need to increase by 70% before 2050 to satisfy global population growth and changing consumption […]
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