Invest in Land or Invest in People? Transforming Investment Models for Agrifood Systems Transitions

The session explored innovative investment models aimed at transforming agrifood systems by prioritizing both land and people, with a focus on sustainable and equitable practices. Highlighting two key projects—Transformative Land Investments (TLI) and Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG)—the discussion showcased their efforts to drive global change by integrating responsible investment with agendas around land tenure, climate resilience, and sustainable food systems. The session began with an introduction to transformative land investment principles, using the Mekong region as a case study to outline the key ingredients for successful and scalable transformations. Panelists presented diverse examples of policy interventions and practical initiatives designed to secure land tenure and promote sustainable resource management in agroforestry and related sectors. Specific contributions included insights from Vietnam’s approach to forest leases, Laos’ policy shifts supporting contract farming, and the impacts of smallholder arrangements in the rubber and palm oil supply chains. The dialogue also covered advocacy efforts, such as Oxfam's “Behind the Brands” campaign, which centers community involvement in investment decisions. Panelists examined the critical pathways that have either facilitated or hindered transformative investments, drawing lessons from different regional contexts in Africa and Asia. The discussion emphasized the roles of governments, private sector stakeholders, and international standards in shaping investment outcomes, with a particular focus on securing tenure rights and ensuring the social and environmental sustainability of agrifood systems. Audience engagement further enriched the conversation, exploring strategies for overcoming constraints and identifying best practices for scaling responsible investment models.


This resource has been made available by the organizers of the World Bank Land Conference under the following disclaimer.