The European Union calls on foreign investors in agricultural land in developing regions such as Africa to respect local human rights, livelihoods and resources.
Rises in global food prices prompted major food importers such as Saudi Arabia, China and South Korea to lease farmland abroad — often in Africa — to secure food for their populations.Gulf and other Arab countries invested in farming projects in Sudan, viewed as having huge agricultural potential.
The Sudanese government so far leased 1.5 million hectares of prime agricultural land to foreigners.
At the same time Sudan needs to import 100 thousand ton of sugar because of a shortage in the country’s own production.
Sugar is a basic commodity for Sudanese who consume large amounts in tea and food.
Critics of the leasing of farmland by foreigners describe it as land-grabbing and warn that deals are often not transparent and can compromise the livelihoods of local farmers in developing countries.
According to the EU statistics, the number of people suffering from hunger has risen to more than 1 billion.
This growth affected development, social and political stability, as well as causing widespread loss of life.