Bolivia

Bolivia boasts one of South America’s strongest economic growth rates. Between 2006 and 2015, the country achieved an average growth rate of over 5%. The World Bank categorizes it as a “low middle income country.” However, the indigenous community and smallholders are hardly profiting from the boom. Foreign investors buy up more and more land, exploit natural resources and cultivate large areas with agricultural products for export. The rural population cannot contend with this kind of competition. The UN guidelines for increased fairness set by the World Food Council could give Bolivia a chance: Under international law, they regulate fair access to natural resources and address the regulation of land investment. Correctly applied, they will secure the smallholders’ right to food in the long term. (*Total value of the transnational program in Bolivia and Peru.)