Land Grabbing Causes and Problems

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Body
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Attention getter

Stories of land grabbing have existed since colonial times. In this context, land grabbing practices have evolved with time, as greed for wealth seems to take a toll on individuals, corporations, and countries. Interestingly, land grabbing has evolved from being illegal to the legal acquisition of property (Toulmin, 2009).

The current practices that have seen developed countries broker deals to acquire land in developing economies are bizarre. On the other hand, the acquisition of land in Africa has resulted in great developments (Cotula, 2009). Israel has been condemned for its illegal settling at the Gaza Strip (Quigley, 1998).

Explanation

According to studies conducted by the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), investors from China, U.K, and the U.S poorly compensate landowners in foreign farmlands (Corriveau-Bourque, Nelson, Pritchard, Stanfield & Unruh, 2013). Therefore, this acquisition is equivalent to land grabbing due to the large parcels of land bought at cheap rates.

Reveal topic

Legal and illegal acquisition of foreign farmlands should be regulated and stopped since it amounts to land grabbing.

Justification

Land grabbing is an unethical practice that negatively affects the immediate population. It is not surprising to note that land grabbing in developing countries has been attributed to a world food crisis. Foreign investors rarely show concern of the local population since they want to make profits. Privatization of land among developing countries is to blame for the consequences of land grabbing by foreign investors.

From this context, developing countries and respective governments do not establish a reasonable compensation policy once a foreigner acquires land. Land and resource governance has been a global challenge, and this is contributed by lack of transparency in terms of how land acquisition affects economic, social, and environmental aspects.

Thesis

This paper discusses the problems and solutions of land grabbing in developing countries by foreign investors.

Body

Problem review

Using land for agro-investment and lack of proper natural resource governance is problematic.

Level one: Using natural resources as an excuse for agro-investment has led to irresponsible land acquisition practices. In this regard, the acquisition is equivalent to land grabbing due to lack of transparency, accountability, and regulations on how land is used.

According to Oxfam, several communities have complained to the World Bank on how their rights to land have been violated by foreign investors. Example of this complaint is a community in Ethiopia that has complained of large-scale agricultural lands that do not benefit the local population (Rahmato, 2011).

Review level one, preview level two:

The negative environmental and social implications associated with land grabbing are horrendous. Lack of proper land and resource governance, as well as regulations, promote irresponsible utilization of the same.

Level two: Unlike local communities that conserve land, foreign investors use large quantities of natural resources with disregard to the environment and social impacts. The International Land Coalition has noted how large-scale farming by foreign investors along River Niger has caused environmental problems, especially in polluting the water sources (Cotula, 2012).

On the other hand, social problems like the eviction of local communities paving the way for tree plantations in Uganda has caused hunger, poverty, and violence (Cotula, Dyer & Vermeulen, 2008).

Problem review/cause preview

Land grabbing has led to the promotion of misplaced priorities by governments in developing countries. In this regard, the state seeks to secure domestic needs at the expense of the poor citizens. For example, African countries are known for selling farmlands to China and Saudi Arabia for food production.

Causes

Land grabbing is caused by the illegal and unregulated acquisition of farmlands by foreign investors, corruption, and lack of good governance.

Level one: Governments in developing countries are giving farmlands to foreign investors without following a lawful procedure.

Review level one, preview level two

Illegal acquisition is fostered by corrupt government officials who perpetuate bad governance in developing countries.

Level two: Research on land grabbing in Uganda and Niger Delta imply how corruption in government agencies has contributed to the mismanagement of land resources.

Review problem and cause preview solution

Land grabbing in developing countries will continue if the solution to irregularities of natural resource management is not established. Government and civil society involvement in land management might solve the problem.

Solutions

The solution can be derived from the government and civil society initiatives.

Government: Governments in developing countries must step up to address land grabbing. Land registration should give priority of land ownership to local communities, individual citizens, and investors.

Review

Government initiative: It is the governments responsibility to provide food security and regulations on conservation and protection of natural land resources.

Civil society: In addition, civil society has the mandate to raise concerns over how land is sold to foreign investors.

Civil society review: The civil society role in aiding the legislation of laws on land use is critical in preventing land grabbing.

Conclusion

Wrap-up: This paper discusses how the acquisition of farmland in developing countries by foreign investors has become a land-grabbing practice.
What we learned: Land grabbing causes many problems, especially from an environmental and social perspective.
Topic revisited: The discussion proposes the banning of farmland acquisition by foreign investors and the use of strict regulations in relation to the same.
Attention getter revisited: It is evident that developing countries have allowed China, Saudi Arabia, and other large economies to reintroduce land grabbing practices.
Closing impact: Preservation of land ownership is a mandate of the respective government. The problem of land grabbing requires world attention in ensuring access to food security, and environmental preservation is not hindered by foreign investors.

References

Corriveau-Bourque, A., Nelson, I. L., Pritchard, M., Stanfield, J. D., & Unruh, J. D. (2013). Impacts of forest-related large-scale land acquisitions in the Indian Ocean world. Journal of the Indian Ocean Region, 9(2), 208-226. Web.

Cotula, L. (2009). Land grab or development opportunity?: agricultural investment and international land deals in Africa. London, LDN: Iied. Web.

Cotula, L. (2012). The international political economy of the global land rush: A critical appraisal of trends, scale, geography and drivers. Journal of Peasant Studies, 39(3-4), 649-680. Web.

Cotula, L., Dyer, N., & Vermeulen, S. (2008). Fuelling Exclusion?: The Biofuels Boom and Poor Peoples Access to Land. London, LDN: Iied. Web.

Quigley, J. (1998). Living in Legal Limbo: Israels Settlers in Occupied Palestinian Territory. Pace Intl L. Rev., 10, 1. Web.

Rahmato, D. (2011). Land to investors: Large-scale land transfers in Ethiopia. Oxford, OX: African Books Collective. Web.

Toulmin, C. (2009). Securing land and property rights in sub-Saharan Africa: the role of local institutions. Land Use Policy, 26(1), 10-19. Web.

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