Foreigners buying African farms a good thing, World Bank

Kigali, 10 Dec-(ANA)-The outsourcing of food production in Africa by some Asian and Middle-Eastern countries will boost global stocks and may help stave off of future food crises, the World Bank says.

In the aftermath of last year's food crisis, capital-rich nations who lack sufficient arable land to feed growing populations started buying or leasing large portions of cheap, fertile African soil to grow staple crops.

World Bank Director of Sustainable Development Hartwig Schafer said the much-needed investment in infrastructure, processing and agricultural technology could improve yields and mitigate the impact of volatility in world food markets.

Opponents say the schemes will not improve food security in Africa because the capital, technology and expertise are unlikely to trickle down to poor farmers.

Smallholders may be pushed off land which they have tilled for generations but have no legal rights over, critics say. (ANA)

FA/ANA/10 December 2009----