Fri Oct 19, 2012 9:41AM
Ron Curvelo, Press TV, Sao Paulo
Brazil, with its vast territory is the world leading grain producer, which as a result attracts a large number of foreign investors who buy Brazilian land for planting, but the country faces another major problem, that is the poor distribution of land ownership, where much land is in the hands of a few rich landowners , while little land is available for those who need it to survive.
According to the study “Status of the Land”, prepared by the NGO ActionAid, Brazil has a poor distribution of land ownership, which is a historical problem, that originate from the times of the colony.
Up to 56% of agricultural land in this country are in the hands of 3.5% of the population, while the poor, has only 1% of the productive land.
Although foreign land ownership is still a relatively recent phenomenon, there are at least 4 million hectares in the hands of international groups. Most are companies dedicated to soybeans and sugar cane for ethanol production. In recent years foreign investors have invested over 47 million US dollars mostly in agricultural land.
The study recognizes the results of social programs like Bolsa Familia an initiatives to strengthen family farming, but points to the need for effective implementation of policies to protect the most vulnerable and their exploitation of the land.
Among the recommendations given are: the increase in the creation of agrarian reform settlements, recognition of indigenous territories and increased regulation to safeguard the purchase of land by foreigners, in order to increase the control of the sale of Brazilian land to foreigner.
