Agribusiness’s new weapon — fire: how peoples and communities are being driven out of their own land by GRAIN | 18 May 2021 The platform Agro é fogo has drafted a report outlining specific scenarios and analyses as a joint effort to stop the social and environmental catastrophe in its tracks. The report delves deep into the intrinsic link between the increased use of fire, deforestation and slave labour, and how public lands in the Amazon, Cerrado and Pantanal biomes become illegally occupied. The platform Agro é fogo has drafted a report outlining specific scenarios and analyses as a joint effort to stop the social and environmental catastrophe in its tracks. The report delves deep into the intrinsic link between the increased use of fire, deforestation and slave labour, and how public lands in the Amazon, Cerrado and Pantanal biomes become illegally occupied.
The untold story of Feronia Inc's failed rice operations in the DR Congo by GRAIN | 18 May 2021 Feronia had sunk at least US$14 million into its rice operations before suddenly "discontinuing" them in 2017 without explanation. A few years later, Feronia filed for bankruptcy. It has long been suspected that Feronia's rice venture was a front to channel funds to a high-level Congolese politician who facilitated Feronia's entry into the DRC. Feronia had sunk at least US$14 million into its rice operations before suddenly "discontinuing" them in 2017 without explanation. A few years later, Feronia filed for bankruptcy. It has long been suspected that Feronia's rice venture was a front to channel funds to a high-level Congolese politician who facilitated Feronia's entry into the DRC.
The global farmland grab goes green by GRAIN | 10 May 2021 These days the companies that are in the business of selling farmland to billionaires and pension funds are peddling it as a green, sustainable and socially responsible investment. Carbon credits and net-zero pledges are fueling a new round of farmland buying by billionaires and pension funds that will undermine real climate solutions. These days the companies that are in the business of selling farmland to billionaires and pension funds are peddling it as a green, sustainable and socially responsible investment. Carbon credits and net-zero pledges are fueling a new round of farmland buying by billionaires and pension funds that will undermine real climate solutions.
A farewell to Meriem Louanchi by GRAIN | 26 Apr 2021 Meriem, thank your for your courage, your heart, your friendship, your great intellect and your unwillingness to be pushed around. You inspired us, opened minds and helped us become sharper and stronger in our work. Meriem, thank your for your courage, your heart, your friendship, your great intellect and your unwillingness to be pushed around. You inspired us, opened minds and helped us become sharper and stronger in our work.
Tribute to René Segbènou, a friend of GRAIN who has just left us by GRAIN | 12 Apr 2021 A tireless advocate for the peasant cause, René is one of those who, very early on, understood that the crisis in rural areas and agriculture needs strong voices that will be heard. Yesterday he was taken away in the last battle he fought for about 15 years. Go fighter, colleague, brother and friend, we will never forget you! A tireless advocate for the peasant cause, René is one of those who, very early on, understood that the crisis in rural areas and agriculture needs strong voices that will be heard. Yesterday he was taken away in the last battle he fought for about 15 years. Go fighter, colleague, brother and friend, we will never forget you!
GM waxy maize: The gene edited Trojan Horse is moving through the gates by GRAIN | 29 Mar 2021 At least five countries-- Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile and the US-- are allowing a variety of maize genetically modified (GM) with a genome editing technique called CRISPR to be released without the risk assessments and regulations required of GM crops. Other countries could soon follow. At least five countries-- Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile and the US-- are allowing a variety of maize genetically modified (GM) with a genome editing technique called CRISPR to be released without the risk assessments and regulations required of GM crops. Other countries could soon follow.
The UN Food Systems Summit: How Not to Respond to the Urgency of Reform by Michael Fakhri, Hilal Elver and Olivier De Schutter | 23 Mar 2021 A good critique of where the UN Food Systems Summit is heading. By three (former) UN Special Rapporteurs on the Right to Food A good critique of where the UN Food Systems Summit is heading. By three (former) UN Special Rapporteurs on the Right to Food
Big Tech, big ambition by New Straight Times | 10 Mar 2021 An editorial in Malaysia's New Straight Times about GRAIN's BigTech report. An editorial in Malaysia's New Straight Times about GRAIN's BigTech report.
Swallowing up forests by Biofuel Watch, Environmental Paper Network, Global Forest Coalition, GRAIN, Greenpeace, Pusaka, Rainforest Rescue, Walhi Papua | 4 Mar 2021 A briefing paper from an international network documents that Indonesia’s new “Food Estate Program” on the islands of Borneo, Sumatra and Papua threaten Indigenous sovereignty, forests and biodiversity, will cause hunger and contribute to the climate crisis. A briefing paper from an international network documents that Indonesia’s new “Food Estate Program” on the islands of Borneo, Sumatra and Papua threaten Indigenous sovereignty, forests and biodiversity, will cause hunger and contribute to the climate crisis.
Glyphosate and GM maize not banned in Mexico by Silvia Ribeiro | 25 Feb 2021 On the last day of 2020, the Mexican government published a decree that supposedly aims to replace the agricultural poison glyphosate, and in passing also mentions that the planting of GM maize should not be allowed. Many people and media in Mexico and the rest of the world refer to it as if glyphosate and the planting of GM maize had been banned. While this something that we certainly want and need, this decree does not do that. On the last day of 2020, the Mexican government published a decree that supposedly aims to replace the agricultural poison glyphosate, and in passing also mentions that the planting of GM maize should not be allowed. Many people and media in Mexico and the rest of the world refer to it as if glyphosate and the planting of GM maize had been banned. While this something that we certainly want and need, this decree does not do that.
The big sell-off by Dinu Gautier - WOZ | 24 Feb 2021 Indonesia rolls out the red carpet for foreign investors. According to local activists and observers, the free trade agreement between Indonesia and Switzerland is part of a strategy that will have dramatic consequences - and it goes way beyond the palm oil question. Indonesia rolls out the red carpet for foreign investors. According to local activists and observers, the free trade agreement between Indonesia and Switzerland is part of a strategy that will have dramatic consequences - and it goes way beyond the palm oil question.
The Great Reset: Bill Gates & farming by Russell Brand | 21 Feb 2021 A great video by actor Russell Brand on how Bill Gates is linked to farming and Indian farmers protests, and drawing extensively from analysis by GRAIN and Vandana Shiva. A great video by actor Russell Brand on how Bill Gates is linked to farming and Indian farmers protests, and drawing extensively from analysis by GRAIN and Vandana Shiva.
The Big Tech takeover of agriculture is dangerous by GRAIN | 5 Feb 2021 It will endanger the livelihood of the world’s small farmers and food workers and completely transform our food systems. It will endanger the livelihood of the world’s small farmers and food workers and completely transform our food systems.
Farm protests in India are writing the Green Revolution’s obituary by Aniket Aga | 28 Jan 2021 A good analysis of how the farm protests in India arise from the failure of the Green Revolution A good analysis of how the farm protests in India arise from the failure of the Green Revolution
GRAIN extends its solidarity support to farmers protesting in Delhi, India by GRAIN | 11 Dec 2020 The following statement was issued by GRAIN in support of the Indian farmers protest. It was sent to the Embassy of India in Spain, where the organisation is legally established, and was widely shared on our social media. The following statement was issued by GRAIN in support of the Indian farmers protest. It was sent to the Embassy of India in Spain, where the organisation is legally established, and was widely shared on our social media.