This note, part of the RAI Knowledge into Action series, provides guidance on the type
of information about agricultural investments that investors
and governments can make publicly available. Transparency
about certain aspects of investments can improve relations
between investors and communities, enable external
stakeholders to hold investors to commitments, and improve
investors’ public image. Although some information should be
kept private to protect commercial interests, in general the
amount of publicly available information is insufficient for
transparent, accountable conduct of agricultural
investments. This has often led to fear, mistrust, and
resentment, and created operational and financial
difficulties for investors. Some investors and governments
have recently shifted toward a more transparent approach,
but the risk of misuse of information needs to be managed.