The Political Economy of Land Grabs in Malawi: Investigating the Contribution of Limphasa Sugar Corporation to Rural Development

Neither sustainable nor inclusive: a political economy of agricultural policy and livelihoods in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia

“…This was substantially informed by the previous work of the authors. Anna Mdee has conducted extensive field research on agricultural livelihoods and natural resources governance in multiple locations in Tanzania since 1996 (Toner 2003;Cleaver and Toner 2006;Mdee 2017a, 2017b;Mdee 2017;Harrison and Mdee 2018;Mdee and Harrison 2019;Brockington et al 2019); Michael Chasukwa has researched and published on the political economy of agriculture and on local government capacity in Malawi since 2005 (Chinsinga and Chasukwa 2012Chinsinga, Chasukwa, and Zuka 2013), and Simon Manda has researched and published extensively on agriculture in Zambia, including a recent three year investigation of large scale land acquisition (Manda, Dougill, and Tallontire 2018a. We also reviewed the AFRINT survey data for each of the countries and worked in close co-operation with senior researchers from AFRINT country teams.…”

New frontiers of land and water commodification: socio‐environmental controversies of large‐scale land acquisitions

“…A fundamental element of criticism for such land deals is that the land often remains fallow (Figure 1), indicating that, while the local communities lose access to ecosystem services and natural resources, no new jobs or business opportunities are created (e.g., Deininger & Byerlee, 2011). Further, even in concession areas that are actively utilized by investors, the food produced in the acquired land is many times exported to the investor's countryalthough there are certainly exceptions (Lisk, 2013)or sold in the international food market at prices that are not affordable for the local community particularly during food crises (Chinsinga et al, 2013;Lavers, 2012). To date, however, quantitative assessments of the impact of land investments on economic development, crop exports, food security, and agricultural production in target countries are still missing.…”

“…To date, however, quantitative assessments of the impact of land investments on economic development, crop exports, food security, and agricultural production in target countries are still missing. Thus, LSLAs can turn into profit opportunities for agribusiness corporations and livelihood losses for local populations (Chinsinga et al, 2013;Davis et al, 2014). In several cases, land acquisitions have also led to evictions and forced migrations (e.g., Adnan, 2013;Feldman & Geisler, 2012;Siciliano, 2014).…”

“…Thus, LSLAs can turn into profit opportunities for agribusiness corporations and livelihood losses for local populations (Chinsinga et al ., ; Davis et al ., ). In several cases, land acquisitions have also led to evictions and forced migrations (e.g., Adnan, ; Feldman & Geisler, ; Siciliano, ).…”

Cook, eat, man, woman: understanding the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, nutritionism and its alternatives from Malawi

“…In order for these investments to succeed, however, the government is required to do its part to provide a business-friendly environment and, in particular, to liberalize land purchasing arrangements (Chinsinga, Chasukwa, and Zuka 2013). Attempts by Parliament to pass a land bill that might do this foundered in 2012, over the objections of chiefs and civil society.…”