Impacts of investment on African agriculture and the Principles for Responsible Agricultural Investment (PRAI): evidence from field research, implications for policy and next steps

Held at Pacifico Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan on June 2, 2013 during TICAD V.

Hosted by FAO, IFAD, UNCTAD and the World Bank. Attended by more than 200 people from African governments, CSOs, academia and private companies.

Objectives

• Share empirical evidence from several streams of ongoing field testing and research on responsible agricultural investment in Africa
• Discuss the implications for policy formulation and possible recommendations for foreign and domestic investors, African governments, donors and international agencies
• Provide inputs into the CFS consultations to develop principles for responsible agricultural investment in the context of food security and nutrition (rai)

Key messages

To eradicate hunger and reduce poverty in a sustainable manner, many more investments in agriculture are needed, in particular investments for and by farmers, and therefore the creation of an enabling environment for farmers, including smallholders and women, is crucial. Responsible is a keyword because agricultural investments, while generating various developmental benefits such as increasing income and employment opportunities, may also expose various stakeholders to differing types and levels of risk.

Presentations and speeches