Abstract
Land grabs, a recent phenomena, have been documented to have effects on the activities of the indigenous farmers. This chapter examines the impact of foreign land acquisitions on food security and food chain in Nigeria. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were adopted. A total number of 250 respondents were included in the quantitative sample, and 20 In-Depth Interviews (IDI) were conducted with opinion leaders. The study found the nexus of interaction between foreign land acquisition, commercialization of agriculture, food security, and food chains in Nigeria. The study recommended that the government should not make the process of land acquisition too cumbersome for interested people or agencies to acquire; the government should make efforts to encourage interested local investors in large-scale farming to allow competition to increase food production as well as to sustain the agricultural sector of the national economy.
TopIntroduction
Land is a fundamental factor of production in the agricultural sector. It has an essential role to play in increasing as well as sustaining agricultural production. Agriculture is the mainstay of many economies. All over the world, the development of an enduring economy goes hand in hand with agricultural development. The extent to which this role is performed is determined in part by methods of land acquisition and arrangements for the ownership and use of land. For instance, in the agrarian economy like Nigeria, the land as a unit for agricultural production provides the needed fulcrum upon which a sustainable development would blossom. Agriculture was, and still is, the mainstay of the economy of the Nigerian communities. Agriculture has been the largest revenue earning source for most Nigerians particularly the rural populace which accounts for well over 80% of the country’s population. It should be mentioned that, even, many artisans in addition to their vocations, still supplement their means of sustenance with farming activities. The development of agriculture is critically important for ensuring food and nutritional security in the country. However, apart from the provision of food, agriculture provide income and employment opportunities for a majority of people, even though, in a subsistent manner and helps to stimulate overall economic development of the country. Like in Nigeria, Agriculture is the main employer, job creator and export in most developing countries. Historically, agriculture has driven economic performance in Nigeria, generating growth that has been shown to be at least twice as effective in reducing poverty as growth in other sectors. Investment in agricultural and rural development is therefore vital to food security and sustainable economic development. Over the years, more than 80 percent of the economically active populations in sub-Saharan Africa in general and Nigeria in particular were engaged in agriculture (FAO, 2010). However, this became a story told shortly after the discovery of oil in Nigeria. Many abandoned farming for white collar jobs, particularly in the oil industry. This no doubt affected food supplies in the country.
In recent years, the global foreign interest in land acquisition has been on the increase tremendously. Large-scale acquisitions of land in Africa and other parts of the developing world have made headlines across the world. Lands that seemed of little interest some couples of years ago are now being sought by international investors to the tune of hundreds of thousands of hectares. Today, the issue of large-scale foreign land acquisitions is now a hot issue because land, especially in Africa, is extremely central to identity, livelihoods and food security (Cotula, et al., 2009). Put differently, the upsurges in agricultural products and its attendant increased prices during mid 2007 and 2008 gave rise to widespread concern about investors causing a global land rush in developing countries (Areski, et al, 2011). This renewed interest in agricultural business and investment largely in the aftermath of the global financial crisis and the increase in volatility of food prices has made some decry what they have called the “re-colonization of Africa” or the “New Scramble for Africa land” with it’s possible positive and negative effect on food security and food chain in the country (Obasi, 2012).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Land Tenure: Is an institution, i.e., rules invented by societies to regulate behaviour. Rules of tenure define how property rights to land are to be allocated within societies, which include how access is granted to rights to use, control, and transfer land, as well as associated responsibilities and restraints.
Food Chain: The process or linkage from production or harvesting, packaging, storing, transporting, marketing, purchasing or buying, to the final consumption.
Agriculture: Is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other desired products by cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals.
Foreign Land Acquisition: Is the process of acquiring land by a foreign individual, corporate or government agency from local individual landowners, State or Federal as authorized by the law, having met the criteria for such acquisition and the payment of government-fixed compensation to cover losses incurred by the local landowners for surrendering their land to the concerned foreign individual or government agency.
Land Use Act: An Act that vest all Land in the territory of each State solely in the Governor of the State, who would hold such Land in trust for the people and would henceforth be responsible for allocation of land to individuals resident in the State and to organisations for residential, agriculture, commercial and other purposes.
Land: Includes all physical elements in the wealth of a nation bestowed by nature; such as climate, environment, fields, forests, minerals, mountains, lakes, streams, seas, and animals.
Land Use: Involves the management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment such as settlements and semi-natural habitats such as arable fields, pastures, and managed woods.
Food Security: Is a situation where all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
Land Acquisition: Buying or getting some land either by individual, State or Federal government of Nigeria for various personal, commercial, infrastructure and economic growth initiatives.
Poverty: Is a state of being poor. It is general scarcity or dearth, or the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money. It is also the deprivation of basic human needs, which commonly includes food, water, sanitation, clothing, shelter, health care and education.