G8 New Alliance condemned as new wave of colonialism in Africa
Critics say landmark initiative to boost agriculture and relieve poverty favours big business to the detriment of small farmers
• Interactive: what promises have been made and where?
Claire Provost, Liz Ford and Mark Tran
A landmark G8 initiative to boost agriculture and relieve poverty has been damned as a new form of colonialism after African governments agreed to change seed, land and tax laws to favour private investors over small farmers.
Ten countries made more than 200 policy commitments, including changes to laws and regulations after giant agribusinesses were granted unprecedented access to decision-makers over the past two years…http://www.farmlandgrab.org/post/view/23176-g8-new-alliance-condemned-as-new-wave-of-colonialism-in-africa#sthash.zYI9Mysw.dpuf
G8 New Alliance condemned as new wave of colonialism in Africa
Published: 18 Feb 2014
Posted in: G8
Small farmers are supposed to be the main beneficiaries of the New Alliance, but they have been shut out of the negotiations. Above: a Kenyan farmer tends newly planted trees (Photo: Tony Karumba/AFP)