FOREIGN STATE-SUPPORTED LAND ACQUISITION IN AFRICA: RATIONALES AND POLICIES

Abstract

The acquisition of large-scale agricultural land in foreign countries is a historical phenomenon; however, it has gained renewed momentum with the effects of the 2007–2008 global financial and food crisis, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war. Recently, this issue has come back onto the agenda in Türkiye as well. This study examines the concept of “large-scale agricultural land acquisition by foreign states and companies” and evaluates the main factors that encourage such acquisitions. In the research, a conceptual analysis was conducted based on databases, research reports, and literature review from the post-2008 period. The findings show that the main motivations for land acquisition by states and companies are ensuring food security, securing energy supply, high returns expected from agriculture, neoliberal policies, and environmental factors. In addition to these five main drivers, it was observed that some country- and region-specific factors were also observed to be influential, although a comprehensive evaluation in this context could not be conducted. The study is mainly based on data from the African continent, and since environmental and social impacts are addressed in a limited way, the generalizability of the findings is restricted. This study contributes to the global land acquisition debates in terms of economic, political, and environmental factors, and presents important findings regarding the dynamics influencing land investment decisions by states and companies. However, it is emphasized that further research is needed to examine regional differences in greater depth and to explore the long-term impacts of such acquisitions.

Keywords

• Food Crisis
• Large-Scale Land Acquisition (Land Grabbing)
• Food Security
• Energy and Minning Investment
• Local Economic Development

AFRİKA’DA YABANCI DEVLET DESTEKLİ ARAZİ EDİNİMİ: GEREKÇELER VE POLİTİKALAR

Abstract

Yabancı ülkelerde büyük ölçekli tarım arazisi edinimi tarihsel bir olgu olmakla birlikte, 2007-2008 küresel finans ve gıda krizi, ardından COVID-19 pandemisi ve Rusya-Ukrayna Savaşı’nın etkisiyle yeniden ivme kazanmıştır. Son dönemde bu konu Türkiye’de de yeniden gündeme gelmiştir. Bu çalışma, “yabancı devletler ve şirketler tarafından büyük ölçekli tarım arazisi edinimi” kavramını incelemekte ve bu edinimi teşvik eden temel faktörleri değerlendirmektir. Araştırmada, 2008 sonrası döneme ait veritabanları, araştırma raporları ve literatür taramasına dayalı olarak kavramsal analiz gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgular, devletler ve şirketlerin tarım arazisi ediniminde başlıca motivasyonlarının; gıda güvencesinin sağlanması, enerji güvenliğinin temini, tarımdan beklenen yüksek getiri, neoliberal politikalar ve çevresel faktörler olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu beş temel etkenin yanı sıra, arazi edinimi yapılan ülke ve bölgelere özgü bazı faktörlerin de etkili olabileceği gözlemlenmiş, ancak bu bağlamda kapsamlı bir değerlendirme yapılamamıştır. Çalışma, özellikle Afrika kıtası verilerine dayandığı ve çevresel-sosyal etkiler sınırlı ele alındığı için bulguların genellenebilirliği kısıtlıdır. Bu çalışma, küresel arazi edinimi tartışmalarına ekonomik, politik ve çevresel faktörler açısından katkı sunmakta ve devletler ile şirketlerin arazi yatırım kararlarını etkileyen dinamiklere ilişkin önemli bulgular ortaya koymaktadır. Bununla birlikte bölgesel farklılıkların daha ayrıntılı incelenmesi ve bu tür edinimlerin uzun vadeli etkilerine yönelik ileri araştırmaların yapılması gerektiği vurgulanmaktadır.

Keywords

• Gıda Krizi
• Büyük Ölçekli Arazi Edinimi
• Gıda Güvencesi
• Enerji ve Madencilik Yatırımları
• Yerel Ekonomik Gelişme

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