Investment in agriculture and food systems is essential for achieving food security and adequate nutrition. Lack of investment in agriculture over decades has led to low productivity and inefficient food systems in many developing countries. In recent years, apparently “vacant” or “underutilized” land in developing countries has attracted national and international investors resulting in the transfer of ownership of vast amounts of land, based upon the promise of jobs, infrastructure development, access to markets and increased food production. Yet experience has shown that many of these benefits have failed to materialize.

Transaction prices and rental levels are often minimal and have encouraged widespread speculation with little or no development taking place; jobs are often seasonal and poorly paid, infrastructure development has been insubstantial; and food production, where it has increased, has often failed to reach local markets. Of even greater significance are the negative impacts that can be caused by these investments. Legitimate tenure rights have been overridden, families have lost their homes and livelihoods, in some cases environmental damage has taken place and disputes over tenure rights have escalated to violent conflicts resulting in deaths and political unrest.

Weak government policy, legal frameworks and institutions have played a significant part in this failure. Countries striving to transition into developed market economies have struggled with the complex requirements of modern land governance systems. Despite often ambitious economic development plans, many countries are constrained by historic land policies and laws, insufficient budgets, low professional and technical capacities, conflicting institutional responsibilities and resistance to change by local elites.

Historic decision on land tenure adopted by UNCCD COP 14 ​​​​​​​. During a high-level session at the close of the UNCCD COP 14 (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Conference of the Parties) in September, a declaration to focus on land-based solutions to combat climate change was adopted. In the declaration, the relevance of the VGGT was reaffirmed for better access, control and stewardship over land and equitable tenure security. It encourages parties to use the principles laid out in the VGGT in the implementation of activities to combat desertification/land degradation and drought.  In closing the session Ibrahim Thiaw, Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, emphasized that the key message to the upcoming UN climate summit in New York was clear, “investing in land, unlocks multiple opportunities.”

FAO was invited to produce a technical guide on integrating the VGGT into the implementation of the Convention and land degradation neutrality, taking into account national contexts for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its fifteenth session.

Land Tenure. Draft decision. COP 14  
The New Delhi Declaration: Investing in Land and Unlocking Opportunities
UNCCD website