India

Indian rice exporter Amira Group plans to acquire 25,000 hectares of agricultural land in Cambodia, and is discussing further farnland acquisitions with the governments of Angola and Sierra Leone.

Sannati Agro Farm Enterprise Plc received a 10,000ht plot of land in Dimi District, Gambella Region, for the cultivation of rice, pulses, and cereals, from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on October 1, 2010.

Addis Abaaba has decided to withdraw from the regional governments the right of attributing leases of over 1,000 ha. However, the 2010 federal budget lists no income whatsoever, and no information on this subject appears in the quarterly reports of the National Bank of Ethiopia.

Contract is for 10,000 ha in the Regional State of Gambela for a period of 25 years, with option for renewal.

The people of Ethiopia have a question for you and the government of Ethiopia you represent, “Why are you giving away our land to foreigners?”

India's Karuturi plans to emerge as a leading player in agriculture in the African continent, with revenues from agriculture trumping revenues from floriculture in two years.

Hassan Group will cultivate 4,000 hectares of arable land in India to produce fruits (banana), rice and sugarcane for the Bahraini market.

Punjab-based farmers are set to acquire 50,000 ha of farm land on lease in Ethiopia for growing high-value cash crops, including pulses and maize, for export to India and Europe.

Tensions against Indian companies acquiring farmland in Ethiopia are mounting, according to Tehelka

"I know you will think why should President Obama meddle in the affairs of other countries," writes Devlinder Sharma. "I agree, but at least he can stop the American agribiz and finance companies from indulging in offshore farmland grab."

Indian companies are increasingly getting a foothold into South America, acquiring assets and land not just to get entry into its lucrative agricultural market but also to export commodities such as sugar, pulses and edible oils back to India.

Taking a leaf out of the book of progressive farmers of the state who have made it big in South and Central American countries, the Punjab government is now exploring taking up land on lease in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico to grow foodgrain and export it for domestic consumption.