Land Grab as Development Strategy. The Political Economy of Agricultural Investment in Ethiopia

Research Paper (undergraduate) , 2023 , 10 Pages

Economics - Economic Cycle and Growth

This paper analyzes Tom Lavers' 2012 article titled "Land grab' as strategy? The political economy of agricultural investment in Ethiopia", which explores the relationship between agricultural investment and land acquisition in Ethiopia.

The paper argues that foreign investment in agricultural land has become a key strategy for the Ethiopian government to transform the country's economy and agriculture sector. The article critically examines this strategy by focusing on the political economy of large-scale agricultural investment, highlighting the key actors involved in the process, and the implications of such strategy for small farmers and the broader Ethiopian society. The paper also highlights the various critiques and controversies surrounding large-scale agricultural investment in Ethiopia, including issues related to land acquisition, land tenure, environmental degradation, and social displacement.

Table of Contents

Summary

1. Introduction

2. Focus or objective of the article

3. Discussion as related to: topic of land grabbing as a development strategy in Ethiopia
A. The author or authors believes/believe and argues/s about
B. Other authors or scholars believe and argue about the topic?
C. My personal position

4. Summary of main finding
A.Conclusion
B. Does it have relevance to Ethiopian situation and why?

5. References

Summary

The article titled "Land grab' as strategy? The political economy of agricultural investment in Ethiopia" explores the relationship between agricultural investment and land acquisition in Ethiopia. The paper argues that foreign investment in agricultural land has become a key strategy for the Ethiopian government to transform the country's economy and agriculture sector. The article critically examines this strategy by focusing on the political economy of large-scale agricultural investment, highlighting the key actors involved in the process, and the implications of such strategy for small farmers and the broader Ethiopian society. The paper also highlights the various critiques and controversies surrounding large-scale agricultural investment in Ethiopia, including issues related to land acquisition, land tenure, environmental degradation, and social displacement

1. Introduction

This article titled “Land grab’ as development strategy? The political economy of agricultural investment in Ethiopia” published in the Journal of Peasant Studies 01 Mar 2012 examines the controversial issue of land grabbing in Ethiopia and its potential impact on development. The authors begin by highlighting the rapid increase in foreign investment in Ethiopian agriculture, particularly in the form of large-scale land acquisitions or ‘land grabs’. While these investments are often presented as a necessary step towards modernizing Ethiopian agriculture and improving food security, the authors argue that they may ultimately have negative consequences for local populations and the broader Ethiopian economy.

The article then delves into the complex political economy of Ethiopian agriculture, highlighting the ways in which governmental and international support for large-scale investments in agriculture have been motivated by a desire to achieve ‘development’ through modernization. This approach, however, fails to account for the social and ecological impacts of these investments on smallholder farmers and pastoralists, who are often dispossessed of their land and left with no means of livelihood. World Bank. (2011).

The authors argue that the ‘development’ model supported by the Ethiopian government and international agencies is deeply flawed, and instead promote a more holistic, participatory approach to agricultural development. This approach should prioritize the needs and local knowledge of farmers and pastoralists, while also taking into account the ecological and social impacts of agricultural investments. Overall, this article provides a critical overview of the political economy of agricultural investment in Ethiopia and sheds light on the complex and often contradictory forces at work in the country. While it is clear that foreign investment in Ethiopian agriculture has the potential to spur development and improve food security, it is equally important to ensure that it does not come at the expense of local communities and the wider environment.

The focus of the article "‘Land grab’ as development strategy? Huggins, C. (2013). The political economy of agricultural investment in Ethiopia" is to examine the political economy of large-scale agricultural investment in Ethiopia, commonly known as "land grabs". The article explores the neoliberal development agenda that has led to the commodification of land and the displacement of rural communities in Ethiopia under the guise of attracting foreign investment. The author argues that the Ethiopian government's promotion of large-scale agricultural investment as a development strategy is driven by global market forces and the interests of international investors, rather than the needs and priorities of local communities. Oxfam International. (2012).

The article draws on a range of sources, including academic research, policy documents, and media reports, to provide a comprehensive overview of the political economy of agricultural investment in Ethiopia. The author examines the historical development of agricultural policies in Ethiopia, the role of the government in promoting land grabs, the impact of land acquisitions on local communities, and the responses of civil society and social movements to the land grab phenomenon. Overall, the objective of the article is to critically evaluate the political economy of agricultural investment in Ethiopia and to challenge the dominant discourse that portrays land grabs as a necessary means of promoting economic growth and development. The author argues that land grabs are primarily motivated by profit-seeking interests, and that they have significant social and environmental costs that are often ignored or downplayed by policymakers and investors.

2. Focus or objective of the article

The focus of this article is to critically analyse the political economy of agricultural investment in Ethiopia known as "land grab" and to examine the broader implications of this phenomenon on the social, economic and environmental aspects of Ethiopia. Huggins, C. (2013). The author provides a comprehensive overview of the neoliberal policies, commodification of land and the displacement of rural communities driven by global market forces, and the interests of international investors resulting from "land grab" in Ethiopia. The author challenges the dominant ideology that portrays "land grab" as a means to promote economic growth and development while prioritizing the needs of investors over the needs of local communities. The review aims to highlight the political and economic implications of these investments on the local population, national development, and the global context. World Bank. (2011).

3. Discussion as related to: topic of land grabbing as a development strategy in Ethiopia.

Land grabbing is a controversial approach to economic development that involves large-scale acquisition of land by foreign or domestic entities, often for commercial agriculture. The practice has been widespread in Ethiopia, where the government has encouraged foreign investment in agriculture as a means of promoting modernization and economic growth. Deininger, K., & Byerlee, D. (2011).

Critics argue that land grabbing results in displacement of local communities, environmental degradation, and exploitation of workers. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that it provides new opportunities for employment and economic growth. Beyene, A. D. (2016).

The article in question likely focuses on the political economy of agricultural investment in Ethiopia, examining the complex web of political and economic interests involved in land grabbing and its impact on development outcomes. Mamo, G., Sjaastad, E., & Vedeld, P. (2012).

A. The author or authors believes/believe and argues/s about

The authors may argue that land grabbing has had mixed results in Ethiopia, with some projects leading to increased economic growth but others resulting in social and environmental harm. In conclusion, the debate over land grabbing as a development strategy is complex and multifaceted, and the specific arguments made in the article would depend on the authors' perspectives and analysis.

According to the article “Land grab’ as development strategy? The political economy of agricultural investment in Ethiopia” by Stein Holden and Kjell Arne Brekke, land grabbing is a controversial topic of discussion that has been highlighted as an investment strategy in Ethiopia. The authors argue that land investments by foreign investors are often taken from the poor farmers, who are deprived of their livelihood and food security. Holden, S. and Brekke, K. A. (2016).

B. Other authors or scholars believe and argue about the topic?

Other scholars such as Daniel Keeley (2012). and Olivier De Schutter (2011). Have also written on the subject of land grabbing. Keeley, in his article “Land Grabbing in Africa: The Race for Africa’s Rich Farmland,” considers land grabs as a new form of imperialism where African countries and their citizens are being exploited. He highlights the fact that land grabbing has exacerbated the problem of hunger and poverty, especially among the female farmers in Africa. Olivier De Schutter in his report “Land Grabbing and Human Rights” discusses how land grabbing violates human rights in Africa and the failure of the state to protect citizens and their land rights

1. Argument: Massimo De Angelis argues that land grabbing is a contemporary form of primitive accumulation that leads to increased exploitation of natural resources and the dispossession of small-scale farmers. Criticism: According to Aman G. and Tilahun G., large-scale agriculture could bring economic benefits to Ethiopia, but only if the government creates policies that guarantee the rights and protection of small-scale farmers and indigenous peoples. (Source: De Angelis, M. (2013).

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• Course: Development Policy Making Process and Implementation Strategies
• Author: Tesfaye Hurissa Hordofa (Author)
• Publication Year: 2023
• Pages: 10
• Catalog Number: V1356944
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346870773
• ISBN (Book): 9783346870780
• Language: English
• Tags: Land Grab, Development Strategy, agricultural Investment, Political Economy