Land

While land grabbing has been going on since ages, today's massive assault on fertile farmland by investors, speculators and food and biofuel corporations is something big and new. Over the past ten years, ever since GRAIN first exposed the issue and put it on the global agenda, land grabbing has become one of our most active areas of work. 

GRAIN's contribution takes the form of research, information and outreach work. We also support the struggles of different civil society organisations against corporate land deals, especially in Asia and Africa. We do so mainly through capacity building, strategy development and alliance building together with partners that aim to turn the tide. 

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.

The AfCFTA and land in Africa: towards a surge in land grabbing?

National elites and foreign investors in Africa will be protected by the AfCFTA. But the same cannot be said for local communities and their rights over agricultural land. An analysis from GRAIN and Mohamed Coulibaly.

National elites and foreign investors in Africa will be protected by the AfCFTA. But the same cannot be said for local communities and their rights over agricultural land. An analysis from GRAIN and Mohamed Coulibaly.

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.

From land grabbers to carbon cowboys: a new scramble for community lands takes off

Billions in carbon credits, but at what cost? GRAIN dataset exposes how fossil fuel giants & "carbon cowboys" are driving land grabs in the global South, displacing communities and deepening the climate crisis.

Billions in carbon credits, but at what cost? GRAIN dataset exposes how fossil fuel giants & "carbon cowboys" are driving land grabs in the global South, displacing communities and deepening the climate crisis.

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.

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.

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.

Oil palm in Latin America: monoculture and violence

Oil palm plantations in Latin America have quadrupled. Demand is driven by the relatively low price of palm oil and its multiple uses. This crop is creating constant conflicts on peasant, indigenous and Afro-descendant lands.

Oil palm plantations in Latin America have quadrupled. Demand is driven by the relatively low price of palm oil and its multiple uses. This crop is creating constant conflicts on peasant, indigenous and Afro-descendant lands.

A new wave of land grabs strikes Tanzania

Tanzania’s experience in the global land grab post-2008 led to shattered hopes, land conflicts & misery for small farmers. Yet, the current govt risks repeating history. A new report looks at this critical moment for Tanzania's small farmers & pastoralists.

Tanzania’s experience in the global land grab post-2008 led to shattered hopes, land conflicts & misery for small farmers. Yet, the current govt risks repeating history. A new report looks at this critical moment for Tanzania's small farmers & pastoralists.

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.

Agrarian reform and land tenure in Colombia

Land tenure is a fundamental issue in every country and Colombia is no exception. The way in which land ownership has been historically regulated and managed has a profound impact on the country's economy and the different ways of leading a dignified life in the various territories.

Land tenure is a fundamental issue in every country and Colombia is no exception. The way in which land ownership has been historically regulated and managed has a profound impact on the country's economy and the different ways of leading a dignified life in the various territories.

India’s oil palm grand plan: at what cost?

India is currently experiencing a major transformation in its oilseed sector, marked by ambitious plans to expand the cultivation of African oil palm. Yet this grand plan casts a shadow over the nation’s diverse oilseed crops, sounding alarms bells for farmers, public health and the environment.

India is currently experiencing a major transformation in its oilseed sector, marked by ambitious plans to expand the cultivation of African oil palm. Yet this grand plan casts a shadow over the nation’s diverse oilseed crops, sounding alarms bells for farmers, public health and the environment.

The Palestinian people have a right to their lives, land and sovereignty

Since decades, one of the many dimensions of Israel’s colonial project has been the destruction of Palestinian agriculture and fishing. Prior to October 2023, 35% of Gaza’s farmland lay within an “access restricted area” on the border with Israel. As a result, 113,000 farmers lost access to their lands located in this area.

Since decades, one of the many dimensions of Israel’s colonial project has been the destruction of Palestinian agriculture and fishing. Prior to October 2023, 35% of Gaza’s farmland lay within an “access restricted area” on the border with Israel. As a result, 113,000 farmers lost access to their lands located in this area.

San Isidro vs Amway

A Mexican ejido community, faced a protracted land dispute involving the illegal acquisition of 280 hectares by the US company Amway-Nutrilite. After an 80-year struggle, the Mexican government recognized the land as part of the ejido, but Amway returned only 120 hectares, leading to ongoing legal battles and community efforts to regain control of their territory.

A Mexican ejido community, faced a protracted land dispute involving the illegal acquisition of 280 hectares by the US company Amway-Nutrilite. After an 80-year struggle, the Mexican government recognized the land as part of the ejido, but Amway returned only 120 hectares, leading to ongoing legal battles and community efforts to regain control of their territory.

Squeezing communities dry: water grabbing by the global food industry

Pension fund managers, private equity firms and other financial players are moving aggressively to snatch up lands around the world with access to water for irrigation. Their strategy is to pump as much water as they can and as fast as they can into the production of crops, like fruits and nuts, that reap high prices in export markets.

Pension fund managers, private equity firms and other financial players are moving aggressively to snatch up lands around the world with access to water for irrigation. Their strategy is to pump as much water as they can and as fast as they can into the production of crops, like fruits and nuts, that reap high prices in export markets.