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FSC / Press Release

G8 Working on "Code of Conduct" to Deal with Emerging Market Farmland Investment

Calgary, Alberta CANADA, July 25, 2009 /FSC/ - Agcapita Farmland Investment Partnership (AFIP - 0),

G8 leaders are calling for the adoption of a code of conduct proposed by Japan to deal with international agricultural investments in response to a growing debate around foreign land purchases in less developed nations.

Middle Eastern and Asian nations worried about their food security -- notably China and South Korea -- have been acquiring farmland overseas after a supply scare drove the price of most food items to record highs in 2008.

The International Food Policy Research Institute, a Washington-based think-tank, says that since 2006 15-20 million hectares of land in poor countries were sold or are under negotiations for sale to foreign buyers.  However, to put this number into better perspective estimated global foreign direct investment in the agriculture-related sector stood at $7.6 billion in 2006, which is less than one percent of that in the mining and petroleum sector.

Supporters of foreign investment into farmland and agriculture say it is providing  new seeds, technology and capital for a sector that has suffered from huge underinvestment for decades.

Stephen Johnston, partner at Agcapita Partners LP, commented that, "Agcapita believes that political risk will be a key determinant to returns in farmland investments.  Foreign governments and institutional investors have only recently been moving into the space and in a very limited way and yet they have already generated considerable controversy and political backlash where they have deployed capital into the emerging markets.  We believe that this will only become worse over time as agricultural commodity prices increase and the issues of domestic food security and foreign control move to the top of the political agenda in the emerging markets.  Though foreign investment into much of Canada's farmland is controlled, countries like Canada do not have this type of political risks for investors - we are a massive exporting nation so domestic food security is ensured and we have a stable, open legal system with a record of honouring investors' rights."

Agcapita is a Calgary based agriculture focused private equity firm which manages farmland investment funds and is part of a family of funds with almost $100 million in assets under management. Our investment team has over 40 years of investment and finance experience and our field team has over 150 years of direct farming experience.

Disclaimer:  The opinions, estimates, projections and other information which is contained herein and derived from or attributable to persons other than AGCAPITA is neither endorsed nor adopted by AGCAPITA - it is presented for informational purposes only.  Further, the opinions, estimates, projections and other information contained herein are not intended and are not to be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy, any securities including those of AGCAPITA and its affiliates, nor shall such opinions, estimates, projections and other information be considered as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into any transaction. There shall not be any sale of AGCAPITA securities outside of Canada or in any province of Canada in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, and any such sale may only be made to prospective investors who meet certain eligibility criteria and who first receive any applicable offering documentation.

AGCAPITA securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act") or the securities laws of any state, and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US persons (as defined by Regulation S under the US Securities Act).

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release may contain certain information that is forward looking and, by its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "expect", "may", "should", "estimate", "project", "outlook", "forecast" or other similar words are used to identify such forward looking information. Those forward-looking statements herein made by AGCAPITA, if any, reflect AGCAPITA's beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made (including, without limitation, that (i) the demand for agricultural commodities will continue to grow at a pace that is unlikely to be matched by growth in agricultural productivity, and (ii) investment demand for tangible assets such as agricultural commodities and farmland will continue to increase for the foreseeable future).  Actual results or events may differ from those anticipated or predicted in these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. Factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things:  risks associated with the ownership and operation of farmland, including fluctuations in interest rates, rental rates and vacancy rates; general economic conditions; local real estate markets; supply and demand for farmland; competition for available farmland; weather; crop diseases; the price of grain and other agricultural commodities; changes in legislation and the regulatory environment; and international trade and global political conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information contained in this news release (if any), which is given as of the date it is expressed herein. AGCAPITA undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For further information please contact:
Stephen Johnston - Partner
Agcapita Partners LP
400, 2424 - 4th Street SW
Calgary, Alberta  T2S 2T4
Tel: +1.403.218.6506
Fax: +1.403.266.1541
Email: sjohnston@agcapita.com
Web:  www.agcapita.com

Source: Agcapita Farmland Investment Partnership - http://www.agcapita.com
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FSC / Press Release G8 Working on "Code of Conduct" to Deal with Emerging Market Farmland Investment Calgary, Alberta CANADA, July 25, 2009 /FSC/ - Agcapita Farmland Investment Partnership (AFIP - 0), G8 leaders are calling for the adoption of a code of conduct proposed by Japan to deal with international agricultural investments in response to a growing debate around foreign land purchases in less developed nations. Middle Eastern and Asian nations worried about their food security -- notably China and South Korea -- have been acquiring farmland overseas after a supply scare drove the price of most food items to record highs in 2008. The International Food Policy Research Institute, a Washington-based think-tank, says that since 2006 15-20 million hectares of land in poor countries were sold or are under negotiations for sale to foreign buyers. However, to put this number into better perspective estimated global foreign direct investment in the agriculture-related sector stood at $7.6 billion in 2006, which is less than one percent of that in the mining and petroleum sector. Supporters of foreign investment into farmland and agriculture say it is providing new seeds, technology and capital for a sector that has suffered from huge underinvestment for decades. Stephen Johnston, partner at Agcapita Partners LP, commented that, "Agcapita believes that political risk will be a key determinant to returns in farmland investments. Foreign governments and institutional investors have only recently been moving into the space and in a very limited way and yet they have already generated considerable controversy and political backlash where they have deployed capital into the emerging markets. We believe that this will only become worse over time as agricultural commodity prices increase and the issues of domestic food security and foreign control move to the top of the political agenda in the emerging markets. Though foreign investment into much of Canada's farmland is controlled, countries like Canada do not have this type of political risks for investors - we are a massive exporting nation so domestic food security is ensured and we have a stable, open legal system with a record of honouring investors' rights." Agcapita is a Calgary based agriculture focused private equity firm which manages farmland investment funds and is part of a family of funds with almost $100 million in assets under management. Our investment team has over 40 years of investment and finance experience and our field team has over 150 years of direct farming experience. Disclaimer: The opinions, estimates, projections and other information which is contained herein and derived from or attributable to persons other than AGCAPITA is neither endorsed nor adopted by AGCAPITA - it is presented for informational purposes only. Further, the opinions, estimates, projections and other information contained herein are not intended and are not to be construed as an offer to sell, or a solicitation to buy, any securities including those of AGCAPITA and its affiliates, nor shall such opinions, estimates, projections and other information be considered as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into any transaction. There shall not be any sale of AGCAPITA securities outside of Canada or in any province of Canada in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, and any such sale may only be made to prospective investors who meet certain eligibility criteria and who first receive any applicable offering documentation. AGCAPITA securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act") or the securities laws of any state, and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US persons (as defined by Regulation S under the US Securities Act). FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release may contain certain information that is forward looking and, by its nature, such forward-looking information is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "expect", "may", "should", "estimate", "project", "outlook", "forecast" or other similar words are used to identify such forward looking information. Those forward-looking statements herein made by AGCAPITA, if any, reflect AGCAPITA's beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made (including, without limitation, that (i) the demand for agricultural commodities will continue to grow at a pace that is unlikely to be matched by growth in agricultural productivity, and (ii) investment demand for tangible assets such as agricultural commodities and farmland will continue to increase for the foreseeable future). Actual results or events may differ from those anticipated or predicted in these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. Factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: risks associated with the ownership and operation of farmland, including fluctuations in interest rates, rental rates and vacancy rates; general economic conditions; local real estate markets; supply and demand for farmland; competition for available farmland; weather; crop diseases; the price of grain and other agricultural commodities; changes in legislation and the regulatory environment; and international trade and global political conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information contained in this news release (if any), which is given as of the date it is expressed herein. AGCAPITA undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For further information please contact: Stephen Johnston - Partner Agcapita Partners LP 400, 2424 - 4th Street SW Calgary, Alberta T2S 2T4 Tel: +1.403.218.6506 Fax: +1.403.266.1541 Email: sjohnston@agcapita.com Web: www.agcapita.com Source: Agcapita Farmland Investment Partnership - http://www.agcapita.com Maximum News Dissemination by Filing Services Canada Inc. * www.usetdas.com