Land and water grabs hurt Africa

These land grabs are also accompanied by a major water grab that raises serious concerns - since the volume of irrigation water needed is already far and beyond what is sustainable for the continent.

In a statement accompanying "Understanding land investment deals in Africa" - the first of the reports, the Oakland Institute states that research demonstrates "that land grabs - largely unregulated land deals involving foreign corporations and speculators - continue to be promoted as a development solution for African nations." These deals, says the report, promise benefits for Africans but fail to deliver. In addition, at "the same time that individuals across the US and EU offer support to victims of famine and conflict in Africa, their countries' energy policies and development agendas take food and other resources away from Africans - while also harming the environment."

"Land grabs leave Africa Thirsty", the second report released later in December in collaboration with the Polaris Institute, concludes that cheap land and "fairly easy access to water make Africa attractive for industrial agriculture... and the prospect of accessing abundant water resources is a focal point in business plans." Water issues are crucial, BBQ says, since it is estimated that "requirements for food to feed the world's population [...] will outpace existing water resources by 40% by 2030." Land - and water - grabs are likely to be a main reason for a suggestion made at a Green Power conferences-event in Johannesburg, encouraging developers of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects to submit their projects before the imminent cut-off date for access to the European Union's emissions trading scheme.

Read the full article on www.bbqonline.co.za.