Blog

The blog is a place where GRAIN posts short pieces or just shares information produced with our network.

The mirage of food security: Big farming in North Africa's deserts

Big farming projects in North Africa’s deserts are presented as a response to food insecurity. But aquifers will be depleted and costs will be high. While small farmers are pushed out, there's no guarantee that production will be for local people.

Big farming projects in North Africa’s deserts are presented as a response to food insecurity. But aquifers will be depleted and costs will be high. While small farmers are pushed out, there's no guarantee that production will be for local people.

The Mouila Declaration of the Informal Alliance against the Expansion of Industrial Monocultures

In November, grassroots organizations and community activists from 10 countries, all part of the Informal Alliance against the Expansion of Industrial Monocultures, convened at their General Assembly to reaffirm their conviction to defending ancestral lands and to continue resisting neo-colonial agendas and corporate encroachment on community territories.

In November, grassroots organizations and community activists from 10 countries, all part of the Informal Alliance against the Expansion of Industrial Monocultures, convened at their General Assembly to reaffirm their conviction to defending ancestral lands and to continue resisting neo-colonial agendas and corporate encroachment on community territories.

Seeds, sovereignty & struggle: The ongoing battle against UPOV & seed privatisation

Through plant breeders’ rights, patents, and seed marketing laws, big corporations are stripping away people’s right to save, exchange and reproduce seeds. From Argentina to Zambia, peasants, indigenous people and civil society are united in resistance.

Through plant breeders’ rights, patents, and seed marketing laws, big corporations are stripping away people’s right to save, exchange and reproduce seeds. From Argentina to Zambia, peasants, indigenous people and civil society are united in resistance.

Resistance and food sovereignty: Mexican indigenous and peasant populations vs expanding agro-industry

In Mexico, the agribusiness strategy consists of grabbing land and water, eroding the fabric of communities, and profiting from the exploitation of labour. But there are many examples of communities struggling to maintain food sovereignty.

In Mexico, the agribusiness strategy consists of grabbing land and water, eroding the fabric of communities, and profiting from the exploitation of labour. But there are many examples of communities struggling to maintain food sovereignty.

Bone dry: Agribusiness’ African water grab

While the media spotlight is often on climate change-induced droughts, little is being said about the corporate-driven water scarcity these projects are inflicting upon people across Africa. Driven by the goal of expanding export production of water-intensive crops, governments are auctioning Africa’s water resources to the highest bidder. The new rush for land on the continent to grow trees for carbon credits is making this worse.

While the media spotlight is often on climate change-induced droughts, little is being said about the corporate-driven water scarcity these projects are inflicting upon people across Africa. Driven by the goal of expanding export production of water-intensive crops, governments are auctioning Africa’s water resources to the highest bidder. The new rush for land on the continent to grow trees for carbon credits is making this worse.

Twenty years of bilaterals.org, twenty years of fighting FTAs

We must stop FTAs and bring an end to the regime they have instilled in so many countries. It's not just about how we trade and invest. We have to push social interests first. Trade and investment should support them, not the other way around. Only then might we get on the right path.

We must stop FTAs and bring an end to the regime they have instilled in so many countries. It's not just about how we trade and invest. We have to push social interests first. Trade and investment should support them, not the other way around. Only then might we get on the right path.

Genocide and food weaponisation in Palestine: global resistance as hope

GRAIN reaffirms its solidarity and commitment to the Palestinian people’s struggle for decolonisation, self-determination and sovereignty over land, water and other resources. We call for an immediate end to the genocide and an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. We also express our solidarity with all those organising and calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

GRAIN reaffirms its solidarity and commitment to the Palestinian people’s struggle for decolonisation, self-determination and sovereignty over land, water and other resources. We call for an immediate end to the genocide and an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire. We also express our solidarity with all those organising and calling for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

Peoples of Mesoamerica in defence of seeds and maize

Maize and seeds have been fundamental to the food sovereignty of Mesoamerica. Today, the free use and exchange of seeds is threatened by ‘UPOV laws’ promoted by transnational seed companies. Mesoamerican organisations are joining forces to resist and denounce the advance of these laws and regulations.

Maize and seeds have been fundamental to the food sovereignty of Mesoamerica. Today, the free use and exchange of seeds is threatened by ‘UPOV laws’ promoted by transnational seed companies. Mesoamerican organisations are joining forces to resist and denounce the advance of these laws and regulations.

Free trade frenzy: the hidden costs of South Asia's economic gamble

Beyond tariffs and revenue loss, new FTAs in South Asia signal a broader shift. Today, trade agreements serve major investors and corporations, shaping legal frameworks in their favour, undermining the region's sovereignty in regards to food, rights and more.

Beyond tariffs and revenue loss, new FTAs in South Asia signal a broader shift. Today, trade agreements serve major investors and corporations, shaping legal frameworks in their favour, undermining the region's sovereignty in regards to food, rights and more.

Urgent call to declare Gaza a disaster-stricken area suffering from famine, pollution and spread of diseases

We call on all organizations, movements, human rights defenders, and supporters to sign this petition to urge the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority to declare Gaza a famine-stricken area and take the necessary measures to protect its inhabitants.

We call on all organizations, movements, human rights defenders, and supporters to sign this petition to urge the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority to declare Gaza a famine-stricken area and take the necessary measures to protect its inhabitants.

The Bunong people's land struggle with Socfin

In 2008, the Socfin group was granted 12,000 ha in Cambodia without the knowledge and consent of the Indigenous #Bunong people. Powerful glimpse into the communities' 15-year struggle, resistance and resilience.

In 2008, the Socfin group was granted 12,000 ha in Cambodia without the knowledge and consent of the Indigenous #Bunong people. Powerful glimpse into the communities' 15-year struggle, resistance and resilience.

Victory against GM Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant in the Philippines court, a momentous win in the global fight against GMOs

The resilience of farmers, consumers in the Philippines against Golden Rice, Bt eggplant and other GMO crops in their countries which have been vindicated by the Supreme Court have become a testament that people’s persistence prevails in the face of corporate capture of our agriculture and food system.

The resilience of farmers, consumers in the Philippines against Golden Rice, Bt eggplant and other GMO crops in their countries which have been vindicated by the Supreme Court have become a testament that people’s persistence prevails in the face of corporate capture of our agriculture and food system.

Self-management vs agrotoxins: migrants as bridges

The migrants of El Mentidero carry their knowledge and their seeds with them, making connections through their history and their local methods, and tackle life as survivors of the modern world. Here, in this small space, they get to decide what to sow and how.

The migrants of El Mentidero carry their knowledge and their seeds with them, making connections through their history and their local methods, and tackle life as survivors of the modern world. Here, in this small space, they get to decide what to sow and how.

US agribusiness – African Agriculture Holdings – threatens land and water rights in West Africa

New York-based African Agriculture Holdings went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange on December 2023. This business venture plans to operate on over 2.9 million hectares in Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal to produce animal feed for export and sell carbon credits for corporations seeking to offset their CO2 emissions.

New York-based African Agriculture Holdings went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange on December 2023. This business venture plans to operate on over 2.9 million hectares in Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal to produce animal feed for export and sell carbon credits for corporations seeking to offset their CO2 emissions.