Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 10/2012

Private Investment in Agriculture: Why it's essential, and what's needed

Erinch Sahan, Monique Mikhail

September 2012

Oxfam Publishing

Abstract

Massive investment in agriculture is desperately needed to help fix the broken food system. Private sector investment can play a vital role in delivering inclusive economic growth, environmental sustainability and poverty reduction. However, in order to do so, it must be adequately regulated and should adhere to some key principles, such as focusing on local food markets, working with producer organisations and respecting the rights of small-scale producers, workers and communities.