Interest in farmland is rising. And, given commodity price volatility, grow- ing human and environmental pressures, and worries about food security, this interest will increase, especially in the developing world. Many countries have suitable land available that is either not cultivated or produces well below its potential. This was a development challenge even before the food price rise of 2008. Seventy-five percent of the world’s poor are rural, and most are engaged in farming. The need for more and better investment in agriculture to reduce poverty, increase economic growth, and promote environmental sustainability was already clear when there were “only” 830 million hungry people before the food price rise
