Fundraising

Emerging and diverse managers received less than 3% of capital commitments closed in H1, raising fears they are being left behind as the pandemic changes fundraising.

Pontifax Global Food and Agriculture Technology Fund II holds final close.

State Universities Retirement Systems of Illinois' $60m commitment to Homestead Farmland Fund III puts the vehicle just shy of the $550m mark.

The Impact Alternatives Fund will invest up to 30% of its capital in regen ag and up to 20% in environmental assets in response to investor feedback.

The fund manager invested in tomato producer Sundrop Farms via the Growth Infrastructure Fund, which has scaled back its fundraising target due to covid-19.

The mixed experiences reported by placement agents and GPs suggest a positive covid-19 track record is not necessarily a silver bullet on the fundraising trail.

The manager has lowered the fundraising target for its Australian Farmlands Fund due to restrictions on movement, but says investor appetite for assets remains strong, especially overseas.

Timberland partner Stephen Addicott says timberland prices have held steady during the pandemic, encouraging some to dispose of their assets to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

MIRA’s head of agriculture talks to Agri Investor about sustainable farming in the wake of covid-19, and provides an update on fund deployment and plans for a fourth fund.

AAM Investment Group will use the money to purchase livestock and support a new wholly-owned livestock management company.