U.S. Investors, Government Policies Leading Global Land-Grabs

Massive land-grabs are driving commercial agriculture and investment around the world, often at the expense of the world’s small-scale farmers – who feed 80 percent of the developing world.

Carey L. Biron
By Carey L. Biron

WASHINGTON --- The U.S. public and private sectors are among the leading drivers of a global drive to snap up usable – and often in-use – agricultural land, in what critics say remains a steadily increasing epidemic of “land-grabbing.” Africa and Southeast Asia are together seeing some three-quarters of problematic large-scale land acquisitions,

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Global Agricultural Subsidies Near $500b, Favoring Large-Scale Producers

Government intervention in agricultural markets is growing around the world, benefiting large-scale industrial farming, hurting poor countries and limiting crop diversity.

Carey L. Biron
By Carey L. Biron
Thailand Rice

WASHINGTON --- Government interventions in agricultural markets are continuing to grow internationally, despite widespread acknowledgement that these practices tend to be biased in favor of industrial-scale production, undercutting smaller producers and poor economies while often exerting negative impacts on the environment. Farmers in the world’s

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At 20 years, NAFTA Didn’t Close Mexico Wage Gap

While auto, electronics and agriculture sectors in Mexico have grown, a majority of Mexicans have seen little benefit in income.

Associated Press
By Associated Press

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Looking around a Mexico dotted by Starbucks, Wal-Mart and Krispy Kreme outlets, it's hard to remember the country before the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has dramatically expanded consumer choice and trade since it took effect 20 years ago on Jan. 1. While it changed the country in some fundamental ways, the

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Agriculture The Most Promising Market For Drones

While Americans are abuzz about Amazon’s plans to use self-guided drones to deliver packages, experts point to agriculture as the most promising commercial market for drones.

Associated Press
By Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Idaho farmer Robert Blair isn't waiting around for federal aviation officials to work out rules for drones. He and a friend built their own, outfitting it with cameras and using it to monitor his 1,500 acres. Under 10 pounds and 5 feet long nose to tail, the aircraft is the size of a turkey and Blair uses it to get a

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Farm Bill Takes Aim At State Animal Welfare Laws

Iowa Rep. Steve King blames ‘vegan lobby’ in fight over Farm Bill’s ban on production standards for interstate agricultural goods.

Associated Press
By Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) —The future of state laws that regulate everything from the size of a hen's cage to the safe consumption of Gulf oysters may be at stake as farm bill negotiators work to resolve a long-simmering fight between agriculture and animal welfare interests. The House Agriculture Committee added language to its version of the farm bill

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Women Lead The Way In Sustainable And Organic Agriculture

Female farmers now make up the fastest-growing sector of the country’s changing agricultural landscape.

Eleanor J. Bader
By Eleanor J. Bader

According to the US Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, the number of women-operated farms more than doubled in the 25 years between 1982 and 2007. In fact, female farmers now make up the fastest-growing sector of the country's changing agricultural landscape and nearly 1 million women - approximately one-third of total domestic

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