Press Releases

Iowa-based Bruce Rastetter and AgriSol Energy have friends in high places. Why else would the US Ambassador to Tanzania step forward and defend AgriSol's activities in Tanzania with false information?

As a USAID International Engagement Conference for South Sudan gets underway in Washington DC tomorrow and Thursday (Dec. 14 and 15), a new report cautions against foreign land investments that are being promoted as a solution for development in the new nation.

MEDIA CONTACT: Anuradha Mittal, (510) 469-5228, [email protected] The Oakland Institute and Polaris Institute Sound an Alarm for Africa's Water Supply Land Grabs Leave Africa Thirsty www.oaklandinstitute.org/land-deal-brief-land-grabs-leave-africa-thirsty Oakland, CA: In the rush for cheap agricultural land in Africa, access to water is of the utmost importance to investors. The land grab taking place in Africa is accompanied by a major "water grab" that raises serious concerns.

The International Land Coalition, Oakland Institute and Global Witness have been developing a research and dialogue project which aims to identify priorities and opportunities for improving transparency and accountability in decision-making around land-related investments and acquisitions.

NEWS EMBARGOED UNTIL: 12:01 am EDT DEC. 6, 2011 MEDIA CONTACTS: Anuradha Mittal, (510) 469-5228, [email protected] False Climate Solutions Drive Land Grabs in AfricaDurban Should Call for an End to Land GrabbingAn unsavory but major element to the land grab phenomenon in Africa is the "green investment" stance of agrofuel and agroforestry producers.

At the same time that individuals across the US and EU offer support to victims of famine and conflict in Africa, their countries' energy policies and development agendas take food and other resources away from Africans--while also harming the environment. Research released today by the Oakland Institute demonstrates that land grabs--largely unregulated land deals involving foreign corporations and speculators--continue to be promoted as a "development" solution for African nations.

Oakland, CA – As farmer groups and civil society organizations from around the world gather at the International Conference on Land Grabs from November 17-20 2011 in Nyeleni, Mali, The Oakland Institute and the National Farmers Organisation Coordination (CNOP) of Mali are releasing a new report on land grabs in the west African country.

Oakland, CA – Alors que les organisations paysannes et autres groupes de la société civile du monde entier se retrouvent pour une Conférence Internationale sur l'accaparement des terres du 17 au 20 Novembre à 2011 à Nyéléni, Mali, Oakland Institute et la Coordination Nationale des Organisations Paysannes (CNOP) du Mali publient un nouveau rapport sur l'accaparement des terres au Mali.

Dear friend, A lot has happened in just a few months. In June the Oakland Institute (OI) went public with the first three reports and eight briefs on land investment deals in seven African countries as part of its project, Understanding Land Investment Deals in Africa. Our research revealed a disturbing pattern of a lack of transparency, fairness, and accountability and — for the first time — we put a spotlight on the surprising players behind these investments.

Sierra Club has recently become aware of plans by AgriSol Energy to acquire 1250 square miles (3250 square kilometers, 800,000 acres) of land in Tanzania, with plans to introduce biofuel production and large-scale industrial agriculture, including introduction of GMOs. We believe that the people most directly affected, including those living on this land, have not been sufficiently apprised or involved in this project which involves relocation of populations, mechanized agriculture, radically restructured economic relationships and genetically engineered crops.