Carin Smaller is Director, Agriculture, Trade & Investment, for the Economic Law and Policy program. She advises governments and parliamentarians on law and policy issues related to foreign investment and trade in agriculture. She is the author of the IISD Guide to Negotiating Investment Contracts for Farmland and Water, the first attempt to create a model contract for developing countries to attract investment for agriculture, while at the same time, promoting the needs of the poor and protecting the environment.
She has lived and worked in several developing countries, and advised dozens of government officials on how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks from foreign investment in the agriculture sector. She has organized and participated in international conferences on agriculture, trade, investment and human rights; has worked with several NGOs; and has carried out media relations, particularly providing access to the media for people whose voices are not usually heard.
All Publications
- We Need a Global Stimulus Package to Avoid a COVID-19 Hunger Crisis
Blog - April 7, 2020
The loss of income for billions of people could be the most devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's directly connected to a pending hunger crisis. - Can Responsible Contracts Help Improve Farmer Incomes and Productivity?
Commentary - November 28, 2019
This commentary explores some of the issues raised by rice farmers from the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan; coffee farmers from Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) and Vietnam; and sugarcane and fruit growers from Cambodia during a workshop held in late October 2019. - Agricultural Bias in Focus
Report - August 12, 2019
This paper provides further details and explains how to measure and understand the source of agricultural bias in a country, including examples and country case studies. - Modelling for Sustainable Development: New decisions for a new age
Book - July 8, 2019
This book provides a detailed overview of models used in designing projects and policies that integrate sustainable development considerations and objectives. - Explorer les projets d'investissement agricole
Blog - April 24, 2019
Un voyage de deux semaines explore les moyens de maximiser les avantages et de minimiser les risques des outils d’investissement agricole en Afrique. - Touring Agricultural Investment Projects
Blog - April 26, 2019
A two-week trip explores how to maximize the benefits and minimize the risks of agricultural investment tools in Africa. - Contract Farming: Challenges and a new tool for success
Blog - November 28, 2018
IISD and FAO have developed a Model Agreement for Responsible Contract Farming to help farmers and responsible buyers address the shortcomings of contract farming. - Transforming Agriculture in Africa & Asia: What are the policy priorities?
Policy Brief - October 11, 2018
This report uses a first-of-its kind analytical framework that tracks the performance of 117 countries over 45 years to understand which agricultural policies have succeeded or failed. - Could a U.S.–China Trade War Lead to a New Wave of Land Grabs?
Blog - May 8, 2018
A trade war could force China to search for new frontiers to secure its soybean demand and protect its supply chains, leading to another wave of so-called “land grabs.” - Effective Public Investments to Improve Food Security
Policy Brief - December 14, 2017
The world has made significant progress in reducing hunger over the past decade. But hunger remains a major challenge. This policy brief identifies the most effective and efficient ways to invest in improving food security. - Hunger Is On the Rise: Here are three ways to stop it
Blog - September 29, 2017
Hunger levels are rising. Carin Smaller explores how technology could help tackle climate change and end hunger. - The Rise of Agricultural Growth Poles in Africa: Investment in Agriculture Policy Brief #6
Policy Brief - September 27, 2017
Africa has seen the emergence of 36 agricultural growth poles and 9 corridors over the past 15 years. They cover at least 3.5 million hectares of land in 23 countries. Ensuring that the new wave of agropoles and growth corridors is effective requires robust policies, laws and practices to ensure that a possible new trend of investment helps Africa achieve the sustainable development goals the continent has set. - Farmland Investments Are Finding their Way to International Arbitration
Blog - September 20, 2017
A claim registered by a Swedish investor against the Tanzanian government for revoking a land title amid concerns over the impact on local communities and a wildlife sanctuary is the first known investor-state dispute against a government linked to the so-called “land grab” phenomenon, which arose out of the 2008 food crisis. - How Can the G20 Effectively Address Migration?
Blog - July 4, 2017
We make the case for how the upcoming G20 summit's core focus—how to strengthen economic resilience and further integrate global financial markets—can help address both hunger and migration. - What Is the Link Between Hunger and Migration?
Commentary - June 30, 2017
In the context of the current refugee crisis—and the rhetoric surrounding international migration—we investigated how international migration is affected by economic growth, hunger and increased agricultural productivity. - How to Improve Gender Equality in Agriculture: Investment in Agriculture Policy Brief #5
Policy Brief - May 31, 2017
In this policy brief, we explore how global standards and guidelines contribute to gender equality and women’s empowerment, and whether more can be done through these instruments to improve the situation of women in agriculture. - What it Would Take to End Hunger
Blog - October 26, 2016
An event on the sidelines of CFS 43 focused on the public investment required to end hunger. - Ending Hunger: What would it cost?
Briefing Note - October 14, 2016
The International Institute for Sustainable Development and the International Food Policy Research Institute joined forces to estimate what it would cost to end hunger, and the contribution that donors need to make. - Bayer Tightens Control Over the World’s Food Supply
Blog - September 23, 2016
Bayer recently succeeded in a US$ 66 billion takeover bid of Monsanto—the biggest deal this year. While the public wants competitive prices, innovation and choice, these mergers block all three. - Investment Contracts for Agriculture: Maximizing gains and minimizing risks
Paper - June 24, 2015
This joint IISD, World Bank and UNCTAD discussion paper marries two substantial bodies of research to show how investment contracts can be set up to promote sustainable development. It presents the top five positive outcomes and the five downsides from private sector investments in large-scale agricultural projects. - IISD Commentary on the FAO–OECD Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains
Commentary - March 9, 2015
This IISD commentary looks at the FAO–OECD Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains.The FAO and OECD are drafting a guidance document... - The IISD Guide to Negotiating Investment Contracts for Farmland and Water
Paper - October 30, 2014
The IISD Guide to Negotiating Investment Contracts for Farmland and Water is a legal and policy tool for governments and communities that are involved in negotiating investment contracts with foreign investors. - Investment Treaty News Quarterly, Volume 5, Issue 2, May 2014
Newsletter - May 13, 2014
In this issue:The Practice of Responsible Investment Principles in Larger-Scale Agricultural Investments; Foreign Investment in Farmland and Water:... - The Global Response to Foreign Investment in Agriculture Policy Brief #1
Paper - May 1, 2014
The global community was taken by surprise at the sharp rise of investor interest in agricultural land and water after the 2008 food crisis.They... - Investment Treaty News Quarterly, Volume 3, Issue 4, June 2013
Newsletter - June 25, 2013
In this issue:Smart Flexibility Clauses in International Investment Agreements; The Quest for Commodities: Chinese Investment in Farmland;... - Investment Contracts for Farmland and Water: 10 Steps
Paper - June 7, 2013
This document is a tool for parliamentarians, government officials, landholders and local communities who are involved in negotiating investment... - Farmland and Water: China invests abroad
Paper - October 25, 2012
China is actively investing in agriculture abroad and is now the world's third largest source of foreign investment stocks in agriculture, behind... - Going public to improve investment in agriculture
Paper - June 14, 2012
This paper makes the case for transparency in investment contracts.It looks at the negative impacts for governments, investors and communities when... - Making Investment Work for Africa: What role for parliamentarians?
Paper - September 27, 2011
Making Investment Work for Africa: What role for parliamentarians? is a discussion note on foreign investment in agricultural land and water... - Investment Treaty News Quarterly, Volume 2, Issue 1, October 2011
Newsletter - September 27, 2011
In this issue:Rethinking investor-state contracts through a sustainable development lens; Stabilization in investment contracts: Rethinking the... - A Thirst for Distant Lands: Foreign investment in agricultural land and water
Paper - May 15, 2009
This paper examines how water is the main driver behind a new wave of foreign investment in the agriculture sector. Investors have made it clear...