Abstract

The United Nations considers that investment in agriculture offers the best potential for eliminating the critical first two goals on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, in addition to the potential benefits of job creation, technology transfer, and better access to capital and markets, agricultural investments may also have adverse social and environmental impacts in many developing countries. Growing attention has been drawn to the need to ensure that both domestic and foreign investments in agriculture and food systems are done in ways that promote sustainable development. This article will explore key concepts and issues related to responsible agricultural investment, including policy and legal considerations related to domestic and foreign investment and food security, as well as the implementation prospects for the tools of international food security governance that have recently been elaborated by policymakers. It will also discuss human rights-based approaches to responsible agricultural investment. The article will lead to the conclusion that human rights-based approaches must be firmly entrenched within both the domestic and international legal framework to ensure optimum conditions for sustainable development.