La réponse mondiale à l’investissement étranger dans le secteur agricole l'investissement dans l'agriculture

This briefing by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) outlines the global and regional normative and financial responses to the increase in foreign investment in agricultural land and water, often termed 'land grabbing', following the 2008 food crisis. It evaluates various guidelines, principles, and funding mechanisms designed to ensure that agricultural investments are transparent, respect land rights, and contribute to rural development and food security.

• The global response to agricultural investment has been divided into normative and financial tracks. Normative responses include guidelines from intergovernmental bodies like the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), regional initiatives in Africa, and standards developed by the private sector. Financial responses involve donor-funded mechanisms to support agricultural projects, particularly for small-scale farmers.
• The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) has led global efforts with the 2012 Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure, which advocate for equitable access to land, fisheries, and forests regardless of formal registration. In 2012, the CFS also began developing the Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investment in the Context of Food Security and Nutrition (RAI), expected for approval in October 2014.
• In Africa, the Framework and Guidelines on Land Policies (Land Policy Initiative), adopted by African heads of state in 2009, focuses on inclusive processes to guarantee land rights. While widely supported as an African-led initiative, it is criticized for being vague and lacking specific guidance for governments on the actual form of land laws and policies to implement.
• Several international organizations have developed frameworks to manage agricultural investment: the World Bank, FAO, IFAD, and UNCTAD created the Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investment (PRAI) in 2009; the OECD developed a framework to help governments mobilize private investment across ten action areas; and Professor John Ruggie established principles for responsible contracts in 2011 to prevent broad 'stabilization clauses' that freeze national laws regarding human rights, environment, and health.
• Private sector initiatives include the 2011 Principles for Responsible Investment in Farmland, developed by financial investors to promote environmental sustainability and respect for land rights. Other industry-specific standards exist for soy, palm oil, sustainable biofuels, and sugarcane, which serve as tools to pressure companies to improve standards.
• Major financing initiatives aim to support smallholders but face significant criticism. The G8-led New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition (2012) aims to lift 50 million people out of poverty by 2022 and mobilize $3.75 billion in private investment, but critics argue it lacks a long-term vision for small farmers and promotes private sector interests. GrowAfrica, a public-private partnership, has seen over $3.5 billion in planned investments across eight countries, though it is criticized for excluding farmers from consultations.
• The Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), established by the G20 in 2010 and managed by the World Bank, is considered a primary instrument for supporting smallholders through loans and grants, although it is reported to be chronically underfunded due to a lack of follow-through from the G8.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (n.d.). La réponse mondiale à l’investissement étranger dans le secteur agricole l'investissement dans l'agriculture. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/global_response_foreign_investment_ag_fr.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. La réponse mondiale à l’investissement étranger dans le secteur agricole l'investissement dans l'agriculture. n.d. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/global_response_foreign_investment_ag_fr.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=La réponse mondiale à l’investissement étranger dans le secteur agricole l'investissement dans l'agriculture |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/global_response_foreign_investment_ag_fr.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopmentndrponse, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{La réponse mondiale à l’investissement étranger dans le secteur agricole l'investissement dans l'agriculture}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/global_response_foreign_investment_ag_fr.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }