How land grabbing effect food production in Africa
Lund University researcher Emma Johansson investigates how land use is affected by large-scale land acquisition, also referred to as land grabbing, mainly in Tanzania. The land is often acquired by international companies that purchase or rent large areas. The majority of cultivated land is used for forestry, but also for biofuel production; the most common crops are palm oil and sugarcane. Meanwhile, a large proportion of the food consumed in sub-Saharan Africa is imported.
The International companies often cultivate palm oil and sugarcane, which require a large amount of irrigation water, whereas food crops such as rice, maize and soya beans require less water. A high use of irrigation water can contribute to an increased risk of water conflicts as rivers, groundwater, and other surface waters are shared by many stakeholders in society.
According to Emma Johansson, it is essential to develop domestic agriculture so that the countries in sub-Saharan Africa can reduce their food imports over time.
Find more recommendation for large-scale land acquisition based on Emma Johansson's research on LUCSUS website:
https://www.lucsus.lu.se/artic....le/large-scale-land-