But the younger Castro's hoped-for economic reforms have so far been limited to agriculture farmers have been allowed to take over fallow state land and buy their own tools.

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It also wants to turn some fallow or confiscated land over to landless people, as a way to reduce Colombia's high unemployment rate.

ECONOMIST: Land and violence in Colombia

Vast areas of prime agricultural land lie fallow.

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Its low value encourages owners of land to leave much of it fallow or sparsely grazed by a few cows.

ECONOMIST: Land and violence in Colombia

Land used to grow biopharmed corn, for example, would have to lie fallow for the following season, a requirement that would promote soil erosion and whose expense would discourage many farmers from biopharming.

FORBES: Food Fight