Anuradha Mittal, internationally known activist and speaker on food and economics, will talk about Oakland Institute’s new report “(Mis)Investment in Agriculture: The Role of the International Finance Corporation in the Global Land Grab” at Montclair Presbyterian Church on Friday, June 4, at 7:30 p.m. The event is open to public.
Land grabs, the purchase or lease of vast tracts of land from poor, developing countries by wealthier nations and private investors, has led to the acquisition of nearly 50 million hectares of farmland. Rising food prices, demand for biofuels, and investors seeking quick returns have been cited as the principal drivers of this activity. However, the World Bank’s private lending arm, International Finance Corporation (IFC) has been key in promoting this trend. The result in economically vulnerable countries is the undermining of independent small farming and increased hunger in local populations. Mittal’s talk will also address what can be done to combat these takeovers.
Mittal established the Oakland Institute, a progressive policy think tank, in 2004. She is author of numerous books and articles and opinion pieces published in major newspapers. She regularly appears on television and radio shows around the world. Mittal was named as the 2008 Most Valuable Progressive Thinker by The Nation magazine.