By Luis Jaime AcostaBOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's leftist government will spend $4.25 billion to buy some 1.5 million hectares (3.7 million acres) of land for poor farmers or displaced people, as part of a bid to increase agricultural output and boost peace efforts, an official said. The conflict, which has involved rebels groups, the government, paramilitary organizations and crime gangs, originally began as a fight for land rights. Petro had originally said his government would buy 3 million hectares, but the official goal is now half that. Colombia's government also redistributes land confiscated from criminals and rebel groups and is making a push to formalize ownership for farmers who have worked land for generations without formal deeds. Some 1.3 million hectares have already been formalized, Vega said, and all the redistribution efforts should total about 7 million hectares by the end of Petro's term.

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Persons: Luis Jaime Acosta BOGOTA, Gustavo Petro, Gerardo Vega, Petro, Vega, Luis Jaime Acosta, Julia Symmes Cobb, Bill Berkrot Organizations: National Land Agency