Sustainability

Contention over water sources African farmland investments can be a leading cause for conflict and means closer regulation of water consumption is needed, according to a recently-published paper.

In light of the recent news that the ICC is to expand its remit to include crimes associated with land grabbing and deforestation, Valentine Chitalu, chairman at sustainability focused African private equity firm Phatisa, argues that it is becoming increasingly clear that the most important consideration in large-scale farming project investment should be sustainable investment.

Special situations and agribusiness expert Mark Bishop says the move could dampen investment in emerging markets, with greater clarity on how the ICC's new position will be applied and enforced needed.

Soros-backed Aspada will join the two impact investors in building LEAF's supplier base and storage capacity.

The Chilean firm is launching its second agri-food fund and its first is 60 percent invested.

The USDA and private partners are investing $59m in projects that address water quality and conservation issues, with a third of strategies designed to attract further private investment into agricultural land conservation.

The manager is selling its beef cattle Quilpie Aggregation from its PKA-backed fund, including a ten-year government carbon abatement contract.

The fund is set to buy more than 700 acres of Georgia farmland for high-intensity, pasture-fed cattle production, says Gratitude Railroad founder Eric Jacobsen.

The funding will help expand sales of its healthier frozen poultry meals to large retailers, including Target and Kroger.

Australian sustainable-focused investment group AgCAP is seeking A$220m for its Sustainable Agriculture Fund.