Latest Data on Foreign Investment in U.S. Ag Land
Latest Data on Foreign Investment in U.S. Ag Land Farm Bureau News
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Foreign Investment in U.S. Agricultural Lands
Recent data from the Department of Agriculture provides an update on foreign investment in U.S. agricultural lands. Micheal Clements shares more.
Munch on Foreign Ownership of U.S. Farmland
- USDA publishes the results from those reports from the two years prior. So, the most recent data we have is 2021 data. In 2021, 40 million acres, or 3.1 percent of all privately held agricultural land, was owned by foreign investors.
Top Countries with Foreign-Owned U.S. Farmland
- Canadian investors own the largest portion of foreign-held U.S. farmland, with almost a third of that, or 0.97 percent of all U.S. agricultural land.
- Following Canada, investors from the Netherlands own 0.37 percent of U.S. agricultural land, Italy 0.21 percent, the United Kingdom 0.19 percent, and Germany 0.17 percent. These five countries make up over half of all U.S. agricultural land owned by foreign investors.
China’s Rank in Foreign-Owned U.S. Farmland
- While a lot of attention regarding foreign-owned farmland is focused on China, the country ranks 18th with 0.03 percent of foreign investor-held land.
Types of Foreign-Owned Ag Land in the United States
- Almost half of all foreign-owned agricultural land in the United States is timberland. In states like Maine, Michigan, Alabama, and Louisiana, over 85 percent of their foreign-owned agricultural land is forest land.
- The leading investors in terms of types of companies are timber and paper companies and renewable energy companies investing in land for solar and wind projects.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land. | Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. | Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
The article discusses foreign investment in U.S. agricultural lands, which is connected to SDG 2 as it involves the ownership and management of farmland. It also mentions that a significant portion of foreign-owned agricultural land is timberland, which relates to SDG 15 as it involves the sustainable management of forests. Additionally, the article mentions renewable energy companies investing in land for solar and wind projects, which is relevant to SDG 7 as it pertains to clean energy.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land.
- Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
- Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
The article indirectly addresses Target 2.3 by discussing the ownership of agricultural land by foreign investors. The target emphasizes secure and equal access to land for small-scale food producers. Target 15.2 is relevant as the article mentions that a significant portion of foreign-owned agricultural land is timberland, highlighting the need for sustainable forest management. Target 7.2 is connected to the article through the mention of renewable energy companies investing in land for solar and wind projects.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size
- Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management
- Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, Indicator 2.3.1 can be used to measure progress towards Target 2.3 by assessing the productivity of different farming and forestry enterprises. Indicator 15.2.1 can measure progress towards Target 15.2 by evaluating the implementation of sustainable forest management practices. Indicator 7.2.1 can assess progress towards Target 7.2 by measuring the share of renewable energy in the total energy consumption.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land. | Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labor unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. | Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: fb.org
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