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World Bank warns on 'farmland grab'

By Javier Blas in London
Financial Times, 27 July 2010

Investors in farmland are targeting countries with weak laws, buying arable land on the cheap and failing to deliver on promises of jobs and investments, according to the draft of a report by the World Bank.

"Investor interest is focused on countries with weak land governance," the draft said. Although deals promised jobs and infrastructure, "investors failed to follow through on their investments plans, in some cases after inflicting serious damage on the local resource base". In addition, "the level of formal payments required was low", making speculation a key motive for purchases. "Payments for land are often waived ... and large investors often pay lower taxes than smallholders ... or none at all."

The report, The Global Land Rush: Can it yield sustainable and equitable benefits?' is the broadest study yet of the so-called "farmland grab", in which countries invest in overseas land to boost their food security, or investors - who are mostly locals - buy arable land. The "farmland grab" trend gained notoriety after an attempt in 2008 by South Korea's Daewoo Logistics to secure a large chunk of land in Madagascar for a very low price and vague promises of investment. The deal contributed to a coup d'état in the African country.

The draft was leaked to the Financial Times by a person who said they wanted to prevent the World Bank releasing the report in the middle of the summer holiday period. The Washington-based body said the report was a work in progress and revisions were being made. "When it is released in August, we believe it will contribute much-needed data and other information to this complex subject."

The World Bank advocated in its draft the launch of a Land Transparency Initiative modelled on the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, which commits governments, mainly in developing countries, to disclose revenues from oil and mining groups to improve transparency on the deals. Critics noted that eight years after its launch, only Liberia, Timor-Leste and Azerbaijan, were full members of the EITI. But the draft said: "By establishing a consistent format for reporting on land acquisition and monitoring [the] process over time, it could provide access to information sorely missing."

The draft highlighted a few successes in land acquisition - mostly in Latin America and also in Tanzania - but the overall picture it gave was one of exploitation, warning that investors either lacked the necessary expertise to cultivate land or were more interested in speculative gains than in using land productively.

It stated that "rarely if ever" were efforts made to link land investments to "countries' broader development strategy". "Consultations with local communities were often weak," it added. "Conflicts were common, usually over land rights." The report said some countries allocated land to investors that was within the boundaries of local communities' farmland.

Data on farmland deals is sketchy, mostly relying on local media reports. But the World Bank's draft report said official data for a few countries showed large transfers, including 3.9m hectares in Sudan and 1.2m in Ethiopia between 2004 and 2009. The demand for farmland is unlikely to slow down due to higher commodity demand and prices.


People's Organizations Mobilize
across Asia and the Pacific
For World Food Day

Press Release, 16 October 2009

Momentum is building among people's organizations as World Food Day (WFD) quickly approaches. Parallel to events hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on October 16 in Rome, the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP) and the People's Coalition for Food Sovereignty (PCFS) have jointly organized activities beginning this week and culminating at the FAO World Food Summit in Rome on November 16-18, 2009. Instead of celebrating the World Food Day, these grassroots organisations consider it more appropriate to remember the countless number of hungry people across different countries.

Millions of farmers, agricultural workers, fisherfolks, pastoralists and herders, indigenous peoples, women, migrants, consumers, youth and urban poor are in unison in resisting neoliberal policies responsible for the food crisis and climate change. Given the recent calamities in the Philippines, Indonesia and India, genuine people-centered solutions to the food crisis and climate change are more urgent than ever. It is ironic that the FAO is celebrating the World Food Day, when in fact, the whole world should be mourning for the millions of lives languishing in poverty and malnutrition brought about by imperialist globalisation.

This year, organizations across Asia will gather to create public awareness, provide policy recommendations, raise voices against neoliberal policies and highlight true people-centered responses to the world food crisis.

Events Calendar

In the Philippines, a nation-wide protest will be held on October 16. There will be an Indigenous Fair from 16-18 October and an Indigenous Task Force Meeting from 16-28 October.

In Nepal, the All Nepal Peasants Federation (ANPFa) will be holding a speaker series on the 16th October, to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Nepal.

In India, the Andhra Pradesh Vyarusaya Vruthidarula Union (APVVU) is organizing demonstrations in 23 districts across the state. The events will be held under the name 'World Foodless Day' as a symbol of current anti-people food policies. Demonstrations will be demanding that the current Food Security Act, now termed the Food Entitlement Act, be taken up under broader terms as the Food Rights Act. The proposed Act would include rights to land, seeds and water as well as special policies for droughts and floods. As part of the demonstrations, a memorandum will be handed over to the respective District Collectors and through them, to the Chief Minister of the State.

In Pakistan, Roots for Equity is celebrating Rural Women's Day with a celebratory seminar and protest rally on October 14 at the Hyderabad Press Club in Hyderabad, Sindh Province. On October 15, there will be a press conference to mark World Foodless Day at the Lahore Press Club, Lahore, Punjab, and on October 17 a press conference and protest will be held at the Peshawar Press Club in Peshawar, North West Frontier Province.

In Malaysia, the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) is planning a conference on forestry, landrights and policy action on 24-25 October. The event will be held near the state capital of Kuching at the St Lukas Convent Centre and is co-organized by the NGO Jaring Orang Asal Malaysia (JOAS) and the Sarawak Indigenous Lawyers Alliance (SILA). Approximately 50 indigenous leaders from across Sarawak are expected to participate.

PCFS and PAN AP will also coordinate with different rural women's groups and formations to consolidate their efforts and activities.

Food Crisis in Asia

According to the FAO, the number of hungry people increased by an estimated 105 million in 2009, to a total of 1 billion, or one sixth of the world's population. Paradoxically, those worst affected are small farmers and rural communities, where 70 percent of the world's hungry live and work. Asia is particularly vulnerable as reported in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC's) Fourth Assessment Report (IPCCAR4 2007). Countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh and Cambodia have been identified as among the most vulnerable in the world to climate hazards like sea level rise, droughts, floods, and typhoons.

Thousands of communities are increasingly being de-linked, marginalised and disenfranchised from their food sources, resources and production systems. Communities are fast losing their potential, ability and responsibility to feed themselves.

It's time to listen to the communities. Genuine people's food sovereignty, land reform, and people-centered policies are urgently needed.

For more information on the food crisis and climate change and how you can get involved, please visit: www.panap.net.

PAN AP is an independent organization devoted to the reduction and elimination of hazardous pesticides, the promotion of biodiversity based ecological agriculture and the achievement of genuine food sovereignty. Currently, PAN AP has 108 partner groups in the Asia Pacific region, and outreaches to more than 390 CSOs and grassroots organizations in Asia and around the world.

PCFS is a global coalition of more than 600 people's organizations and networks committed to food sovereignty, including rights to land, food, resources to produce food in an ecological manner and rights to decide on agricultural and food policies.

For further information please contact:
Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific
(PAN AP)

P.O. Box 1170, 10850 Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +604-6570271/6560381
Fax: +604-6583960
Email: panap@panap.net
Website: www.panap.net

PCFS Secretariat
3rd Floor, IBON Center
114 Timog Avenue, Quezon City
1103 Philippnes
PO Box 1172 Quezon City Central Post Office
Philippines
Email: secretariat@foodsov.org


World Foodless Day
16 October 2008
For more info, visit http://www.panap.net/wfd
Our video is also in YouTube.
Please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf9SbI0C4bQ

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Media Release
PEOPLE'S ORGANIZATIONS DEMAND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD SUMMIT ON FOOD SECURITY

Press release by PAN AP, 13 November 2009
An Open Letter signed by 140 organizations was sent to Mr. Jacques Diouf, Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), on the occasion of the World Summit on Food Security in Rome to be held from the 16-18 November 2009. [...more]
Prime Minister of Nepal Makes Commitment to Incorporate Food Sovereignty as Fundamental Right of the People in Constitution

Press release by ANPFa, 21 October 2009
On October 16, the 29th annual World Food Day, the National Network on the Right to Food in Nepal held a seminar on the state of food security and food sovereignty in Nepal and the obligations of the state. The chief guest of the program was the Right Honourable Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal. [...more]
World Foodless Day Activities in 10 Districts of Andhra Pradesh

21 October 2009
October 16th was World Food Day; however some groups found it more appropriate to commemorate 'World Foodless Day' in remembrance of the millions of people suffering from hunger and food insecurity around the world. [...more]
Goodbye Paraquat - Leading Food Producers Say No to Paraquat - Malaysia must follow

6 February 2009
Today, the IUF* and the Berne Declaration** published the report "Goodbye Paraquat"1 which shows that leading producers of palm oil, bananas and tea are increasingly abandoning the highly toxic herbicide, paving the way for a global ban. The report leaves no doubt that the use of Paraquat in modern agriculture is neither essential nor justifiable. [...more]
On Echanis' one year detention:
Peasant leaders, Echanis' family, friends go on fasting at the Supreme Court


28 January 2009
Randall "Ka Randy" Echanis, Deputy Secretary-General for External Affairs of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) who marked his 1-year imprisonment by going on fasting inside the Manila City Jail, was joined by peasant leaders, his son, friends and supporters who went on fasting the whole day while camping out in front of the Supreme Court, along P. Faura street. Echanis filed a petition for certiorari, thus, his supporters appealed to the high court to look unto his case immediately, in order for them to release him because of his innocence. [...more]
South Asian Women Peasant's Conference on Right to Land, Empowerment and Liberation

20-21 January 2009
The inaugural session of the South Asian women peasants' conference was organized by All Nepal Peasants' Federation (ANPFa) in collaboration with South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE). The inaugural session was chaired by Sahana Pradhan, a politician and a women's rights advocate in South Asia , ex foreign minister and leader of CPN UML. Chief guest J. N. Khanal, parliamentary leader at constituent assembly and General Secretary of CPN UML. Other guests include Dias Kunti Gurung from Bhutan , Manowara from Bangladesh , Prof A.B deo IMSE , India,BibiNaheed Akhtar, Pakistan, Rosemary, Sri Lanka. [...more]
STOP Endosulfan! Stop Pesticides Poisonings!

Press Release by the Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP)
3 December 2008
On the occasion of global "No Pesticides Use Day" this 3rd December 2008, Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP) calls for the global ban and phase out of the production and use of Endosulfan, one of the most dangerous organochlorine pesticide in the world. [...more]
Biotechnology Center Won't Ensure Food Security!
Press Release by the RESISTANCE AND SOLIDARITY AGAINST AGROCHEM TNCs (RESIST Network)
24 November 2008
A Biotechnology Center is not enough to provide food for the people nor will it boost the country's science and technology if it will merely serve the giant transnational corporations' interests. This is the statement of RESIST network in response to the proposed establishment of a biotechnology center. [...more]
Government should leave Echanis' stay at Heart Center to the doctors

27 November 2008
Leaders of the militant peasant group, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines ) called on the Arroyo government to leave the health issue of Randall Echanis to the doctors on whether he should stay longer at the Philippine Heart Center. About 100 activists and supporters from KMP, Pamalakaya-Pilipina s, Amihan, UMA, Anakpawis Partylist and other groups, picketed in front of the said hospital along East Avenue carrying placards and performed songs of freedom endowed to Echanis. [...more]
IRENE FERNANDEZ IS ACQUITTED
24 November 2008
The Kuala Lumpur High Court has acquitted Dr Irene Fernandez, co-founder and executive director of Tenaganita. [...more]
NGO: Stop oil, gas search in Argao
By Ma. Bernadette A. Parco, Cebu Daily News
A fact-finding monitoring team composed of non-government organizations (NGO) from Asian countries called on the national government to end oil exploration activities in the Visayas. [...more]
Millions of People observe October 16 as World Foodless Day
Press Release, 16 October 2008
Today, 16 October, 2008, millions of farmers, agricultural workers, fisherfolks, pastoralists and herders, indigenous peoples, women, migrants, consumers, youth and urban poor are in unison in resisting neoliberal policies that created and maintain the food security crisis and the financial meltdown. [...more]
For more info on World Foodless Day,
please visit http://www.panap.net/wfd
Resource Materials
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SMALL FARMERS
by: Rosario Bella Guzman
In the earth’s history, climate change is a natural, slow moving phenomenon. But its unpredictability and the rapidity with which it is happening now have made it a problem. Today, the threat of climate change on global survival systems has emerged as a critical, urgent issue.
[download full document]
[download cover]
RAMPAGING THE RAINFORESTS
Squashing people's customary land ownership in Sarawak

 (Adobe Acrobat Document)
Speak Out! Communities Asserting Their Rights to Food Sovereignty
PAN AP and PCFS
February 2009
[download full document]
HOW SUSTAINABLE IS CHINA’S AGRICULTURE?
A Closer Look at China’s Agriculture and Chinese Peasants

by: Pao-yu Ching
One of the most challenging problems in China’s agriculture has always been the lack of arable land. China has less than 9% of world’s arable land, but it has to produce food and other agricultural products for 22% of the world’s population.
[download full document]
[download cover]
Take Action
Campaign against seeds privatization
We are asking you to sign against seed privatization http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/
noprivaticenlassemillas
rejecting the bill on Rights of Breeders of new Plant Varieties which is now being discussed by Chilean Parlament due to current Free Trade Agreement with the United States of America. We are campaigning to defend peasants and indigenous communities livelihood so that they can continue to freely use their harvests and native seeds. We are against GMOs and for organic and biologic agriculture and healthy foods. We reject privatization of traditional farming knowledge and of our heritage for the profit of transnational corporations. 
[...more]
Petition Letter: Violations of the Native Customary Right, Right to Land, and Right to Livelihood of Indigenous Groups in Sarawak
Petition Letter: Against Hunger and Plunder in the Seas of Central Philippines
Online Petition Letter: Surface James Balao!
We are alarmed and disturbed with the enforced disappearance of Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) member James M. Balao since September 17, 2008. His family has no information of his whereabouts up to this moment. We urgently call for the immediate and unconditional surfacing of James, in the spirit of upholding our basic human rights, very basic of which is the right to life and security which must not be denied to anyone. [...more]
Day 30! Mabtad! (Update on the James Balao Case, 17 October 2008)
Petition Letter: SEZ Expansion in Andhra Pradesh, India (to Andhra Pradesh State Government)
12 May 2008
Online Petition to Free Randall Echanis!
Stop Political Persecution of All Activists in the Philippines!

February 2008
Randall "Ka Randy" Echanis was arrested on January 28, 2008, by suspected military and police elements wearing bonnets (ski masks) and in civilian clothes, at the Builders Training Center in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, Negros Occidental, while attending a consultation with farmers and farmworkers belonging to the National Federation of Sugar Workers and Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) on the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (House Bill 3059) and in preparation for the National Rural Congress to be spearheaded by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).[...more]
Petition letter urging the Philippine government to ensure the survival of a sustainable farming community in Central Mindanao University
Support Dalits' Call Against Aquaculture
Copyright 2005-2006 People's Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS)