Rising Global Interest in Farmland: Can it yeild sustainable and equitable benefits?, World Bank, September 2010

From the report: One of the highest development priorities in the world must be to improve smallholder agricultural productivity, especially in Africa. Smallholder productivity is essential for reducing poverty and hunger, and more and better invesment in agricultural technology, infrastructure, and market access for poor farmers is urgently needed.  When done right, larger scale farming systems can also have a place as one of many tools to promote sustainable agricultural and rural development, and can directly support smallholder productivty, e.g., through outgrower programs.  However, recent press and other reports about actual or proposed large farmland acquisition by big investors have raised serious concerns about the danger of neglecting local rights and other problems.  They have also raised questions about the extent to which such transactions can provide long-term benefits to local populations and contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development.

Access the report here.