Legal Guide on Contract Farming

Book excerpt: Contract farming, broadly understood as agricultural production and marketing carried out under a previous agreement between producers and their buyers, supports the production of a wide range of agricultural commodities and its use is growing in many countries. Mindful of the importance of enhancing knowledge and awareness of the legal regime applicable to contract farming operations, the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), the Food and Agriculture Organizatio n of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have prepared this UNIDROIT/FAO/IFAD Legal Guide on Contract Farming. The Guide is a useful tool and reference point for a broad range of users involved in contract farming practice, policy design, legal research and capacity building. It can contribute as well to create a favourable, equitable and sustainable environment for contract farming.