MILAN, Italy (Reuters) – The Food and Agriculture Organization plans to develop the world’s first global guidelines to ensure land access to farmers and investors, boost food security and prevent arbitrary land grabs.
Last year’s high food prices, which sparked riots and a supply scare, prompted countries such as Saudi Arabia, China and South Korea to seek farmland abroad to feed their people. The practice has been criticized for ignoring the interests of local people.
“Without responsible governance, growing demands for land threatens to foster social exclusion as the rich and powerful are able to acquire land and other natural resources at the expense of the poor and vulnerable,” said Alexander Muller, the FAO’s assistant director general of natural resources.
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He said weak governance causes tenure-related problems, scares off potential investors and hinders economic growth.
“It also affects the sustainable use of natural resources, causing environmental degradation and condemning people to a life of hunger and in the worst scenarios can cause conflict and war.”
The FAO has started consultations with governments, the private sector, farmers, indigenous groups, local authorities, academia and independent experts to work out governance of tenure to land and other natural resources.
It expects the talks will take more than a year to complete.
