Agricultural Investments - Fulfilling the Global Food Security Concerns

In the last three years, there has been a rebound in agricultural profitability as the global demand for fibre, fuel and food entered a golden era where agriculture gave highest profits as the market risks in agriculture soared amidst highly volatility and raising stuff prices. Although there has been a high volatility in the sector investors are happy about investing in agricultural land being of the balanced food consumptions and the increasing income of global population which is expanding the appetite for agricultural products.

Some of the circuitous problems matching as global warming, changes in food habits, climate change and poor agricultural outturn resulted in sharp increase in food prices across the world and the number of people who are either malnourished or hungry is increasing which has been a concern for policy makers.

Hunger crisis in Africa

For the third time Sahel region in West Africa is suffering poor harvest, droughts and soaring food prices. Last year Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia were affected by worst hunger crisis and the government of the countries are promoting investment in agricultural land. Investors are seeing great values in investing in agricultural land and they are buying either farmlands outrights or targeting the subsectors in farming such as fertilizers. The main trick in investment is to be part of farming production which helps to generate high returns in the form of regular harvests as there is increasing demand for food grain harvests in the global market and also you get returns from the increasing price of the farmlands.

Increasing food demands

Investment in agriculture involves commodity trading and farmers are using agricultural contracts to offset losses in crop production. Agriculture has been a link for increasing friendship between China and Africa. By the year 2050 the global population will be 34 % higher than today ' s population as it will reach 9. 1 billion and the demand for food grains will increase by 50 % by 2030 as per UN statistics. Poor weather conditions and rising demand from the emerging market will make it difficult to regulate food prices.

The dangers of climate change and urbanisation

Climate change poses the major risk over long term food security. Climate change is having a negative impact on agricultural output and urbanisation also affects 70 % of the world population as it reduces the number of people who are into rural agricultural sector. To feed the growing population, which will get richer and earn more, an increased amount of food grains production is required and the world will need at least 70 % more food grains.

Capital Alternatives: Invest in agricultural land in Sierra Leone

Capital Alternatives provides opportunity to invest in prime agricultural land in West Africa in Sierra Leone where the investors can own farmlands at a low investment of $9000 ( for three acres of farmland ) and there are no hidden costs included in the price. We provide planting, management, harvesting and maintenance of farmlands in Africa and give 40 % of the net profits generated from rice crops to the investors. The value of agricultural land in Sierra Leone is increasing at a conservative rate of 7 % and income from rice farming is expected to be more than 15 % per annum. To know more about the investment opportunity in rice farming in Sierra Leone, contact mailto:

Tackling Food Security, Economic Development, and Neighborhood Vitality in One Fell Swoop

In the midst of " The Great Slump " and muddling through a sluggish recovery, cities across the U. S. are tasked with developing innovational solutions to the coming up societal side effects - side effects like joblessness, vacant / waste properties, and hunger ( to sign a few ).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics ' May 2012 report shows a national unemployment standard of 8. 2 % with the highest rates among virginity, Hispanics, and African Americans. In November 2011, the Government Burden Office ( GAO ) reported a nationwide increase in vacant properties of more than 51 % between 2000 and 2010. And according to the February 2012 report published by the Food Research and Plan Cynosure ( FRAC ), food hardship for people across the nation is the highest in years - particularly in metropolitan areas across the U. S. These grim economic facts are unreal straight more firm by the reality of current global economic instability, making the interval " Think Globally, Act Locally " all the more relevant.

City governments ( and the residents who elect them ) are in a unique position to either praise or discourage energetic local economies through the policies, codes, and ordinances they write and pass. As the national dialogue about local food and local economies continues to evolve, city governments wield significant power - particularly as it relates to land - use policy.

Currently, in most cities across the nation, city ordinances discourage or prohibit agriculture as a recognized land use. There ' s never been a better time, given our current economic environment and food hardship situation to reevaluate these policies. By rewriting or amending land uses to include urban agriculture, cities open the door for an increase in food production & availability, economic development & jobs, and improved neighborhood beautification & property values as vacant lots are transformed into beautiful gardens.

A handful of cities recognize the multi - faceted benefits of urban agriculture and are leading the way in developing land use plans that reflect these priorities. Since 2005, more than 16 major cities across the U. S. have included urban agriculture in their land use plans - some more aggressively than others. In most cases cities are beginning to formally recognize the value of community gardens and tailgate markets to their city ' s vitality. And though these are steps in the right direction, more aggressive action is needed to truly realize the economic and social potential urban agriculture has to offer.

One city - Cleveland, OH - is taking the lead in breaking the mold and aggressively promoting urban agriculture through their land use plan. In 2007, Cleveland created the Urban Garden District as a zoning classification - restricting use of land in this zoning district to urban agriculture activities. As more and more cities move to recognize the importance of agriculture and agriculture enterprise within the city limits, the national dialogue will continue to broaden and deepen - and rightly so.

It ' s important to keep in mind that not all zoning is good zoning when it comes to urban agriculture. In some cases, the restrictions that city planners and politicians impose restrict size, structures and activities in such a profound way that the policy essentially prevents what it is trying to achieve. As with any policy that affects the residents of a particular area and business of a particular type, those residents and businesses should be consulted as the policy is developed.

As cities continue to evolve and respond to the needs and pressures of an unstable global economy, a stagnant national economy, and increased uncertainty in the arenas of food security and environmental sustainability, they are challenged to think creatively and solve multiple problems simultaneously. By changing land use policy in such a way that encourages increased food production, additional agriculture jobs, and neighborhood beautification, cities will be ahead of the curve.

References:

U. S. Government Accountability Office. ( 2011, November ). VACANT PROPERTIES - Growing Number Increases Communities ' Costs and Challenges. ( Publication No. GAO - 12 - 34 ).

Center For Disease Control. ( 2006 ). Land Use Planning for Public Health: The Role of Local Boards of Health in Community Design and Development.

Food Research and Action Center. ( 2012, February ). Food Hardship In America 2011. Retrieved from FRAC data and publications database.

U. S. Dept. of Labor. ( 2011, June ). The Employment Situation May 2012. ( Press Release ). Retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics.