Download or read book Governing large scale farmland investments in sub Saharan Africa Challenges and ways forward written by George C. Schoneveld and published by CIFOR. This book was released on 2014-06-10 with total page 8 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Large-scale farmland investments in sub-Saharan Africa have to date produced a striking uniformity of largely negative local socioeconomic and environmental outcomes, raising questions about their contribution to sustainable development. This study attributes these outcomes to eight interrelated factors, namely, (1) deficiencies in the law, (2) elite capture, (3) conflicts of interest, (4) capacity constraints, (5) high modernist ideologies, (6) limited contestation, (7) incompatibility of production systems, and (8) misalignment of corporate accountability. Considering the important role of poor implementation and enforcement in shaping outcomes, greater emphasis should be placed on institutional rather than legal reform in host countries. Institutional conditions relating to (1) mandate, (2) capacity, (3) incentives, and (4) accountability need to be fulfilled. Findings also highlight the importance of balanced cross-sectoral reform, risks associated with decentralization, and the need to exercise greater caution when adopting free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) principles. This Info Brief concludes with a number of concrete recommendations for policy makers.

Download or read book The Governance of Large scale Farmland Investments in Sub Saharan Africa written by George Christoffel Schoneveld and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 301 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Growing global resource scarcities and increasingly unstable commodity markets have in recent years propelled large numbers of investors to seek access to the cheap and fertile farmlands of sub-Saharan Africa. Though potentially providing its often neglected agricultural sector with much-needed investment capital, with many of these investments threatening to deprive the rural poor of vital livelihood resources and contribute to environment degradation, these investments have become a topic of heated debate in the public, political, and academic arenas. Amidst a rapidly growing body of research on particularly trends and outcomes, The Governance of Large-Scale Farmland Investments in Sub-Saharan Africa examines a critically under researched aspect of this trend, namely, host country governance. With an absence of sufficiently comprehensive international regulatory frameworks, the investment governance burden often falls solely on host country governments, which in the African context are typically ill-equipped or disinclined to provide adequate oversight"--Publisher description.

Download or read book Securing Africa s Land for Shared Prosperity written by Frank F. K. Byamugisha and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2013-06-05 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is the first book on land administration and reform in Sub-Saharan Africa, and is highly relevant to all developing countries around the world. It provides simple practical steps to turn the hugely controversial subject of "land grabs� into a development opportunity by improving land governance to reduce the risks of dispossessing poor landholders while ensuring mutually beneficial investors’ deals. The book shows how Sub Saharan Africa can leverage its abundant and highly valuable natural resources to eradicate poverty by improving land governance through a ten point program to scale up policy reforms and investments at a cost of USD 4.5 billion. The book points out formidable challenges to implementation including high vulnerability to land grabbing and expropriation with poor compensation as about 90 percent of rural lands in Sub Saharan Africa are undocumented, but also timely opportunities since high commodity prices and investor interest in large scale agriculture have increased land values and returns to investing in land administration. It argues that success in implementation will require participation of many players including Pan-African organizations, Sub Saharan Africa governments, the private sector, civil society and development partners; but that ultimate success will depend on the political will of Sub Saharan Africa governments to move forward with comprehensive policy reforms and on concerted support by the international development community. Its rigorous analysis of land governance issues, yet down-to-earth solutions, are a reflection of Byamugisha's more than 20 years of global experience in land reform and administration especially in Asia and Africa. This volume will be of great interest to and relevant for a wide audience interested in African development, global studies in land, and natural resource management.

Download or read book Land Grab Or Development Opportunity written by Lorenzo Cotula and published by IIED. This book was released on 2009 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Handbook of Land and Water Grabs in Africa written by John Anthony Allan and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2012-09-10 with total page 446 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: According to estimates by the International Land Coalition based at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), 57 million hectares of land have been leased to foreign investors since 2007. Current research has focused on human rights issues related to inward investment in land but has been ignorant of water resource issues and the challenges of managing scarce water. This handbook will be the first to address inward investment in land and its impact on water resources in Africa. The geographical scope of this book will be the African continent, where land has attracted the attention of risk-taking investors because much land is under-utilised marginalized land, with associated water resources and rapidly growing domestic food markets. The successful implementation of investment strategies in African agriculture could determine the future of more than one billion people. An important factor to note is that Sub-Saharan Africa will, of all the continents, be hit hardest by climate change, population growth and food insecurity. Sensible investment in agriculture is therefore needed, however, at what costs and at whose expense? The book will also address the livelihoods theme and provide a holistic analysis of land and water grabbing in Sub-Saharan Africa. Four other themes will addressed: politics, economics, environment and the history of land investments in Sub-Saharan Africa. The editors have involved a highly diverse group of around 25 expert researchers, who will review the pro and anti-investment arguments, geopolitics, the role of capitalist investors, the environmental contexts and the political implications of, and reasons for, leasing millions of hectares in Sub-Saharan Africa. To date, there has been no attempt to review land investments through a suite of different lenses, thus this handbook will differ significantly from existing research and publication. The editors are Tony Allan, (Professor Emeritus, Department of Geography, School of Oriental and African Studies and King’s College London); Jeroen Warner (Assistant Professor, Disaster Studies, University of Wageningen); Suvi Sojamo (PhD Researcher, Water and Development Research Group, Aalto University); and Martin Keulertz (PhD Researcher, Department of Geography, London Water Group, King’s College London).

Download or read book Land Grabbing in Africa written by Fassil Demissie and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-10-02 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The sign that ‘Africa is on Sale’ has been appearing with regular frequency in major newspaper accounts across the world, indicating that large amounts/expanses of Africa’s rich farmlands are being sold to transnational investors, usually on long-term leases, at a rate not seen in decades – indeed not since the colonial period. Transnational and national economic actors from various business sectors (oil and auto, mining and forestry, food and chemical, bioenergy, etc.) are eagerly acquiring, or declaring their intention to acquire large areas of land on which to build, maintain or extend large-scale extractive and agro-industrial enterprises to help secure their own food and energy needs into the future. This book provides a critical appraisal of the growing phenomenon of land grabbing in Africa. Far from being a technical issue associated "good governance", the problem of land grabbing by transnational corporation and states is a serious threat for the food security of millions of Africans and is undoubtedly one of the great challenges of our time for development on the continent. The case studies illustrate that African states are also complicit in the massive land grabbing by actively participating in isolated development while excluding the local communities. The case studies reveal key features that characterize how the global land grab plays out in specific localities in Africa. This book was published as a special issue of African Identities.

Download or read book The Anatomy of Large scale Farmland Acquisitions in Sub Saharan Africa written by George C. Schoneveld and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In recent years, sub-Saharan Africa has become one of the most significant targets for large-scale land acquisitions for plantation agriculture and forestry. Although investments of this sort can provide much needed capital for Africa & rsquo;s ailing landbased economies, in the context of weak domestic governance of investments and land resources they carry a myriad of socioeconomic and environmental risks. While much has been written on the topic, little empirical evidence is available as to the magnitude, distribution and drivers of large-scale farmland acquisitions in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper addresses these knowledge gaps by analysing 353 projects in 32 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, covering an area of about 18.1 million ha. It illustrates a high geographic concentration of investments, with two-thirds of the area acquired by large-scale farmland projects located in just seven countries. In some countries, particularly Ethiopia and Ghana, these investments are likely to create significant competition with socially and environmentally valuable land uses, given the comparatively high proportion of 'available' land that has already been acquired since 2005. Moreover, since most lands are leased to investors for renewable periods of 2599 years, and often originate from the customary domain, this typically implies a long-term alienation of vital livelihood resources. One of the most significant drivers of these acquisitions was found to be the perception by 'northern' investors, particularly from Europe, of a long-term demand for biofuels in industrialised countries. Another important driver is the demand for food products in 'southern' countries, notably from South Asia and the Middle East ...

Download or read book Contemporary processes of largescale land acquisition by investors Case studies from sub Saharan Africa written by Laura German and published by CIFOR. This book was released on 2011 with total page 56 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Rapid growth of emerging economies, emerging interest in biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels and recent volatility in commodity prices have led to a marked increase in the pace and scale of foreign and domestic investment in landbased enterprises in the global South. Emerging evidence of the negative social and environmental effects of these large-scale land transfers and growing concern from civil society have placed ‘global land grabs’ firmly on the map of global land use change and public discourse. Yet what are the processes involved in these large-scale land transfers? This paper provides a comparative analysis of legal and institutional frameworks and actual practices associated with large-scale land acquisitions in Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. Drawing on policy documents, interviews with government officials from diverse sectors and discussions with customary leaders and affected communities, we explore some of the deficiencies in legislation and practice which currently undermine the ability to safeguard customary rights in the context of large-scale land acquisition.

Download or read book Guidelines for sustainable large scale land deals in Africa written by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2018-08-09 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Over the last few years, agribusinesses, investment funds and government agencies have demonstrated a growing interest in acquiring large portions of land, mostly in developing countries and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In the host countries, investors and government see these acquisitions as opportunities to attract foreign investment that will enhance food and energy security and stimulate socio-economic development. Analysing a number of these deals in Africa suggests that these objectives are usually not attained and that their sustainability appears to be uncertain.

Download or read book Rising Global Interest in Farmland written by Klaus Deininger and published by World Bank Publications. This book was released on 2011 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book aims to provide key pieces of information needed for informed debate about large-scale land acquisition by drawing on the experience from past land expansions, discussing predictions for potential future demand, and providing empirical evidence of what is happening on the ground in the countries most affected by the recent increase in demand for land. It complements demand side considerations with a detailed assessment of the amount of land, whether currently cultivated or not, that might potentially be available for agricultural cultivation at the global and country levels. It then describes in some detail the policies in place to manage land acquisition processes and analyzes how these policies may affect outcomes. This information can help governments in land abundant countries to assess how best to integrate increased demand for land into their rural development strategies and provide opportunities and benefits to all involved, including existing smallholders. This is particularly important as many of these countries also have high yield gaps. It also highlights how, in cases where land acquisition by large investors makes sense from a social, economic, and environmental perspective, governments can create an environment that can help to attract outside investment that contributes to broad-based growth and poverty reduction.

Download or read book Economic and Ethical Challenges of land Grabs in Sub Saharan Africa written by and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For local people in sub-Saharan Africa, large land investment projects currently imply many risks and few benefits. Drawing on own ethical and economic research and using evidence from the authors' case studies in Kenya, Mali and Zambia and a new database of large-scale land acquisitions worldwide, this brief offers policy recommendations for host governments, investors and the international community so as to achieve a more favourable balance of risks and benefits in land investment projects. Our research suggests that the land governance systems of sub-Saharan African countries, comprising a multitude of sometimes contradictory laws derived from colonial and customary systems, privilege powerful actors and lead to violation of human rights. Legal uncertainty and an acquisition process that gives no voice to local land users can lead to displacements of farmers without compensation. Poorly enforced formal laws, neglect of built-in checks and balances, and power and information asymmetries between investors and local people can give rise to coalitions of investors and powerful rent-seekers. Displaced farmers and those unable to find jobs on the land investment projects migrate to other rural areas or the cities, and few and only low-skilled jobs are available to those who remain. We found limited evidence of positive spillovers from improved infrastructure and knowledge and technology transfer. Local food prices are likely to rise, as most of the production on investment farms is for export. Overall, when many farmers are displaced and investment projects are capital intensive the net welfare effect for the local population can be expected to be negative. Against this background, we propose a set of policy changes for promoting benefits for the local population and avoiding human rights violations. In contrast to proposals made by international guidelines and codes of conduct, we emphasize in particular the responsibilities of host country governments.

Download or read book The Need to Alleviate the Human Rights Implications of Large Scale Land Acquisitions in Sub Saharan Africa written by Semahagn Abebe and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 18 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the last few years, large agricultural investment ventures in Sub-Saharan Africa have brought their own opportunities and risks. On the one hand, large-scale land investments can offer opportunities for development, given their potential for creating infrastructures and employment, transfer of capital and technology as well as improving food security in the region. On the other hand, uncontrolled agricultural investment ventures primarily undermine the rights related to rural livelihood such as the right to property, development, and the right to self-determination as well as having adverse impacts on the environment. Though there is no easy way out of the paradox related to international agricultural investment ventures, there are a number of things to be done to alleviate the problem. At the international level, international human rights groups and organizations need to highlight the importance of access to land as a human right, work on the coming into effect of an international agreement that stipulates standards and obligations with respect to international agricultural investment ventures, as well as exposing illicit land dealings and making an effort to promote the rights of indigenous groups that have been threatened by 'land grab' activities. At the national level, the most important steps that need to be undertaken to minimize the impact of land grab activities include improving good governance, ensuring the security of rural communities to land entitlement, payment of appropriate compensation, and allowing freedom of association at local the level.

Download or read book What Drives the Global Land Rush written by Mr.Rabah Arezki and published by International Monetary Fund. This book was released on 2011-11-01 with total page 37 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This paper studies the determinants of foreign land acquisition for large-scale agriculture. To do so, gravity models are estimated using data on bilateral investment relationships, together with newly constructed indicators of agro-ecological suitability in areas with low population density as well as indicators of land rights security. Results confirm the central role of agro-ecological potential as a pull factor. In contrast to the literature on foreign investment in general, the quality of the business climate is insignificant whereas weak land governance and tenure security for current users make countries more attractive for investors. Implications for policy are discussed.

Download or read book Land Grabbing and Food Sovereignty Is Large scale Land Acquisition a Curse Or Blessing to Small scale Farming and Rural Food Sovereignty in Sub Saharan Africa written by Lamin O. Touray and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book OECD FAO Agricultural Outlook 2016 2025 written by OECD and published by OECD Publishing. This book was released on 2016-07-04 with total page 138 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2016-2025 provides an assessment of prospects for the coming decade of the agricultural commodity markets across 41 countries and 12 regions, including OECD countries and key agricultural producers, such as India, China, Brazil, the Russian Federation and Argentina.

Download or read book Avoiding Corruption in Large Scale Land based Investments in Sub Saharan Africa written by and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Agricultural investments in Mozambique An analysis of investment trends business models and social and environmental conduct written by Filipe Di Matteo and published by CIFOR. This book was released on 2016-04-18 with total page 75 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The recent influx of agricultural investment to Africa is increasingly equated with land grabbing by investors from emerging and Northern economies seeking to produce commodities to serve the needs of their own food and energy markets. This paper reflects on this discourse by unpacking agricultural investments in Mozambique – one of the largest recipients of agricultural investment in Africa. By drawing on official investment data and structured interviews conducted with 69 agricultural investors in Mozambique, this paper analyzes agricultural investment trends, characteristics and the factors that shape investors’ social and environmental conduct. It illustrates that, contrary to popular depiction, regional investors, domestic food end-markets, and private finance are the primary drivers of investment. Moreover, this paper shows that investors differ significantly in the types of strategies, business models and practices they adopt. The findings highlight a lack of nuance in the global agricultural investment discourse and the need for more evidence-based policy intervention in order to adequately leverage the potential of agricultural investments to contribute to inclusive green growth.