The European Union and FAO are

working more closely than ever

before. Partnership has strengthened

both organizations in achieving their

shared goal of eradicating extreme

poverty and hunger.

Foreign acquisitions of farmland in Africa and elsewhere have become the focus of concern. Many observers consider them a new form of colonialism that threatens

food security of the poor. However, investments could

be good news if the objectives of land purchasers are

reconciled with the investment needs of developing

countries.

FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), Germany, IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development), Finland, GTZ (Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit), UN-Habitat, World Bank and UNDP, and IPC (International NGO/CSO Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty), Food First International Action Network (FIAN), ILC (International Land Coalition), FIG (International Federation of Surveyors) and other development partners are working together with countries to prepare Voluntary Guidelines that will provide practical guidance to states, civil society, the private se

Throughout the rural world, land provides a primary source of income, food security, cultural

identity and shelter. It also serves as a fundamental asset for the economic empowerment of

the poor and provides a safety net in times of hardship.

Land degradation is a serious problem that crosses national borders, ecological zones and

socio-economic levels. It can be especially devastating for the world’s poorest people living

in dryland areas. The Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands (LADA) project, executed

by FAO with funding from UNEP, GEF and others, assesses the causes and impacts of

land degradation at global, national and local levels in order to detect hot spots and identify

remedial measures. LADA approaches land degradation as a biophysical, social, economic

The problematic relationship between land tenure, food security and conflict has recently generated a considerable body of research. Land disputes are increasingly recognised as dynamic processes that are generated by (perceived) land tenure insecurity. Conflicts, however, can also lead to intensified struggle for land, especially when politico-military elites seek to consolidate their power base and reward their supporters by extending control over land as part of their war strategies.

The current volume presents the Proceedings of an important meeting entitled "Regional Expert Consultation on Land Degradation, Plant, Animal and Human Nutrition: Inter-relation and Impact". This scientific gathering managed to have a group of soil scientists/plant nutrition specialists, animal nutrition and medical doctors/human nutrition specialists to discuss these inter-related issues.

This article brings together key lessons from the Northern Cape Land Reform Project in which FARM-Africa works with the South African Government to support six poor Northern Cape communities that have benefited from the Government's Land Reform Programme.

This paper explains the political and economic complexities of the ongoing Ituri crisis, focusing on the role of land. In Ituri, mineral-rich land is at the core of the crisis and therefore, at the core of the longer-term programming needed to restore food security. But food insecurity in eastern DRC has a history. The paper argues that the ambigous Bakajika land law, introduced in 1973 and responsible for the emergence of a vast class of landless people, lies at the root of large-scale poverty, insecurity and spiralling violence.

Farms 25/77 NQ and 27/77N0, located in North East District, were acquired by the Government

from the freeholder, Mr Blackbeard in 1990. The purchase followed the recommendations of the

consultants appointed to conduct the feasibility study of the Lower Shashe dam (SMEC, 1990), and

had the objective of providing compensatory land for Matopi villagers who need to be relocated

before flooding of the reservoir.

During the latter part of 1990, the Tati Land Board proposed compensating Matopi residents by

The Occasional Paper Series published by the FAO Investment Centre covers technical briefs, research treatises and particularly useful case studies.

The "Expert Consultation on Integrated Management of Land and Water within an Agro-SylvoPastoral System" was held in Safita, Syria (Cham Safita Palace Hotel) during the period 16-18 June 1997.The Consultation was jointly organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform of Syria and the FAD Regional Dffice for the Near East, RNE, Cairo, Egypt.