Latest articles
Gender implications of agricultural commercialisation: The case of sugarcane production in Kilombero District, Tanzania
May 11, 2015 / Working Papers Future Agricultures Working Paper 118 Helen Dancer and Emmanuel Sulle May 2015 Since the global food crisis of 2008 the Tanzanian government, amongst other African governments, has made food security through increases in agricultural productivity a policy priority. The emphasis
Utafiti wa wakulima wa nje wa miwa Kilombero: Taarifa ya Mrejesho wa Wadau
May 7, 2015 / Occasional Papers Emmanuel Sulle na Rebecca Smalley Mei 2015 Andiko hili ni muhtasari wa utafiti uliofanywa na watafiti kati ya mwaka 2013 na 2014 juu ya wakulima wa nje wa miwa na kipato chao katika maeneo yaliyo karibu na Kampuni ya Sukari
Study of sugarcane outgrowing at Kilombero: Stakeholder feedback report
May 7, 2015 / Occasional Papers Emmanuel Sulle and Rebecca Smalley May 2015 This document is a summary of a study conducted by researchers in 2013 and 2014 on sugarcane outgrowing and livelihoods in the area around Kilombero Sugar Company, Tanzania. It aims to give feedback
China and Brazil in African agriculture: co-operation or culture clash?
May 6, 2015 / China and Brazil in African Agriculture This workshop on 15 June in Central London presented our research on impacts and implications of Brazilian and Chinese engagements in African agriculture on development and aid. With practitioners and academics, we debated how the so-called ‘Rising Powers’ are reshaping
The UK election, Africa and Zimbabwe
May 5, 2015 / FAC blog However, as the African Arguments piece shows, the way ‘international development’ is framed in the manifestos is – with some exceptions – very different to the hey-day of the late 1990s, when the Department for International Development was formed. Today,
BRICS and agriculture: how the new ‘hubs of capital’ are changing development
April 28, 2015 / FAC blog Emerging dynamics Despite the hyperbole often associated with ‘rising powers’, one thing that struck me from across the presentations was the limits to accumulation and the extension and penetration of new forms of capital. There has been much debate about
Agricultural growth in the New Alliance countries
April 28, 2015 / Working Papers Future Agricultures Working Paper 108 Steve Wiggins, Sharada Keats and Jim Sumberg April 2015 Rural Africa has changed considerably since the early 1990s. Demand for agricultural output is greater owing to higher world prices, economic growth, urbanisation and an enlarged
Has the ‘impact agenda’ helped agronomy – or harmed it?
April 27, 2015 / FAC blog Value for money The “new public management” agenda fundamentally changed the terms of trade around publically funded agricultural research. In general, those promoting this agenda saw state institutions as bloated and inefficient, in need of the discipline of the market
23 April 2015: China and Brazil in African agriculture – news roundup
April 23, 2015 / FAC blog New SAIS-CARI papers on China and South-East Africa The SAIS China Africa Research Initiative in Washington DC has published two new working papers on Chinese agricultural engagements in Africa. Tang Xiaoyang writes about ‘Assessing the Impact of Chinese Investment on
Press release – ISSD Africa
October 1, 2014 / Media Press release on the launch of the Comprehensive Programme on Integrated Seed Sector Development in Africa, September 2014.
ISSD Africa launch: press release (18 Sept 2014)
September 17, 2014 / Media Press release announcing the launch of ISSD Africa.
New research on land reform in Zimbabwe: summary of ASAUK2014
September 15, 2014 / FAC blog The session kicked off with an excellent paper by Leila Sinclair-Bright who discussed the changing social relations between ‘new farmers’ on an A1 resettlement area in Mazowe and farmworkers. Through a deep, focused ethnographic approach she looked at changing notions
ISSD Africa launch event programme
September 12, 2014 / Workshop Publications Programme for the launch of ISSD Africa, 18 September 2014.
Inclusive business model? The Case of Sugarcane Production in Tanzania
September 10, 2014 / FAC blog As suggested in a number of voluntary guidelines, including the African Union Framework and Guidelines, and the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security, the rights of women and
The role of the state and foreign capital in agricultural commercialisation: the case of sugarcane..
September 8, 2014 / Working Papers Full title: The role of the state and foreign capital in agricultural commercialisation: The case of sugarcane outgrowers in Kilombero District, Tanzania Working Paper 106 Rebecca Smalley, Emmanuel Sulle and Lameck Malale Since the launch of the Kilimo Kwanza (‘Agriculture
Review of Research and Policy for Climate Change Adaptation in the Health Sector in East Africa
September 6, 2014 / Working Papers Working Paper 104 Andrew K. Githeko, Abdulai Jalloh, Hezron Mogaka August 2014 This review examines the state of research on adaptation to climate change in the health sector in the East African region and identifies key research and policy gaps.
Talking Zimbabwe & Land Reform at ASAUK14 this Wednesday
September 5, 2014 / FAC blog The six papers that will be presented and discussed are listed below. Shiela Chikulo, ‘Emerging market discourses in a changing ‘agrarian economy’? The case of the fresh vegetable markets in Zimbabwe’, Ruzivo Trust, Harare. Marleen Dekker, ‘Navigating through times
Review of Research and Policies for Climate Change Adaptation in the Agriculture Sector in East Africa
September 2, 2014 / Working Papers Working Paper 103 Emma T. Liwenga, Abdulai Jalloh and Hezron Mogaka August 2014 Climate change is rapidly emerging as a major risk factor affecting the agriculture sector across the East African region. This paper aims at synthesising research and
2 September 2014: China and Brazil in African Agriculture – news roundup
September 2, 2014 / FAC blog Mugabe secures Chinese support Seeking to find $4 billion worth of funding to reinvigorate the Zimbabwean economy, Mugabe went on an official state visit to China last week. It is unclear how much was agreed upon, but a 9 large-scale
Review of Research and Policies for Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas in East Africa
August 30, 2014 / Working Papers Working Paper 102 Chipo Plaxedes Mubaya, Abdulai Jalloh and Hezron Mogaka There is growing research interest in and support for adaptation to climate change in Africa. It is thus imperative that the findings emerging from relevant research are applied and
Review of Research and Policy for Climate Change Adaptation in the Health Sector in Central Africa
August 29, 2014 / Working Papers Working Paper 96 Nafomon Sogoba, Abdulai Jalloh and Michel Ndjatsana There is a growing research interest in and support for adaptation to climate change in Africa. It is thus imperative that the findings emerging from relevant research are actually applied
Review of Research and Policies for Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas in Southern Africa
August 29, 2014 / Working Papers Working Paper 101 Miriam Joshua, Abdulai Jallohand Sepo Hachigonta This paper provides results for a review of climate change adaptation research and polices in the Southern African urban sector, focusing in particular on water resources management and use and gender
Review of Research & Policies for Climate Change Adaptation in the Health Sector in Southern Africa
August 29, 2014 / Working Papers Working Paper 99 Mao A. Amis, Abdulai Jalloh and Sepo Hachigonta The impact of climate change is being felt across the globe, including in Southern Africa, exemplified by increased incidence of extreme events such as flooding and prolonged drought. These
Review of Research and Policy for Climate Change Adaptation in the Agriculture Sector in C Africa
August 29, 2014 / Working Papers Working Paper 98 Jacob Mbua Ngeve, Abdulai Jalloh and Michel Ndjatsana This report is the result of a review carried out to synthesise research and policies related to the adaptation of agriculture to climate change in the Central African region.
Review of Research and Policy for Climate Change Adaptation in Urban Areas in Central Africa
August 29, 2014 / Working Papers Working Paper 97 Napi Wouapi, Abdulai Jalloh and Michel Ndjatsana The aim of this report is to synthesise research and enhance the knowledge base related to climate change adaptation and to support research-based policy formulation for climate change adaptation in
Review of Research and Policies for Climate Change Adaptation in the Agriculture Sector in…
August 29, 2014 / Working Papers Full title: Review of Research and Policies for Climate Change Adaptation in the Agriculture Sector in Southern Africa Working Paper 100 Paul Mapfumo, Abdulai Jalloh and Sepo Hachigonta There is a growing and critical need for decision-makers at different levels
20 August: China and Brazil in African Agriculture – news roundup
August 20, 2014 / FAC blog ‘Emerging powers, state capitalism and the oil sector in Africa’ The September 2014 edition of ‘Review of African Political Economy’ includes an article by Ian Taylor with the above title. “The global development landscape is rapidly changing with the acceleration
The Politics of Pastoral Violence: A Case Study of Isiolo County, Northern Kenya
August 18, 2014 / Working Papers Future Agricultures Working Paper 95 Dr Roba D Sharamo June 2014 Conflicts and violence taking the form of cattle rustling, ethnic violence, displacements and massacres have characterised inter-communal and clan relations among the various pastoralist communities of northern Kenya and
The challenges of agriculture: attitudes of Senegalese young people from the Afrobarometer Round 5 Survey
August 16, 2014 / FAC blog For the four first questions, regarded as categorical variables, the 7 possible answers were as following: -1 Missing 1 Agree very strongly with 1 2 Agree with 1 3 Agree with 2 4 Agree very strongly with 2 5 Agree
15 August: China and Brazil in African Agriculture – news roundup
August 15, 2014 / FAC blog 6th China-IFAD South-South Cooperation Conference August 4: the Vice-Chairman of China’s Ministry of Finance took part in the 6th China-IFAD South-South Cooperation Conference in Maputo. It involved the participation of Mozambique, Burundi, Ethiopia, Egypt and 13 other African countries, along
Engaging parliamentarians on large scale land investments in Africa
August 15, 2014 / FAC blog The conference was the fourth and final one in a process that has taken place in the four sub regional parliaments of West, East, Southern and Central Africa African parliaments respectively. The Pan African Parliamentarians were appraised of the achievements
Livelihood pathways after land reform in Zimbabwe
August 13, 2014 / FAC blog There is no simple story, and there’s much complexity. Diverse livelihood pathways can be identified: some have gained from land reform, while others have not. Outcomes are dependent on access to assets, income from off-farm activities, as well as hard
«Ne mangent seulement ceux qui peuvent se le permettre»: La sécurité alimentaire dans un contexte d’agriculture industrielle
August 13, 2014 / FAC blog Faisant écho à Constance Mogale, le Prof. Ruth Hall (PLAAS, Future Agricultures) a expliqué que les investissements fonciers à grande échelle ne représentent pas seulement une perte de terres mais aussi une restructuration de l’ensemble du système alimentaire vers un modèle
Congratulations! You have successfully installed EasyBlog!
August 12, 2014 / FAC blog With EasyBlog, you can be assured of quality blogging with the following features: Blog now, post laterYou can compose a blog now, suffer temporal writer’s block, save and write again, later. Social media sharingAutomatically post into your Twitter, Facebook and
Land Rush, Day 1: Food availability doesn’t always equal food access
August 12, 2014 / FAC blog Echoing Constance Mogale’s point, Prof Ruth Hall (PLAAS/Future Agricultures) explained that large scale land deals are not just creating land loss, but are actually restructuring the entire food system towards a model in which the food system is controlled and
Press release (French): Pan African Parliament Land Rush event
August 8, 2014 / Media Press release (in French) with details of the event “Making Agricultural Investment Work for Africa: A parliamentarian response to the land rush“, August 2014.
Video & presentations: The Political Economy of Agricultural Policy Processes in Africa
August 8, 2014 / News Video and slides from this event in London on 24 September are now available. The day presented new research from Future Agricultures on how agricultural policy in Sub-Saharan Africa is shaped, in the light of changing patterns of growth and
Press release: Pan African Parliament Land Rush event, August 2014
August 8, 2014 / Media Press release with details of the event “Making Agricultural Investment Work for Africa: A parliamentarian response to the land rush“, August 2014.
Parliamentarians meet to respond to the ‘land rush’
August 8, 2014 / Land Parliamentarians from Southern Africa met on (11-12 August 2014 to debate how foreign agricultural investment can bring benefits to local people, in the context of the ‘land rush’. Land rights, food security and jobs are among the themes discussed at
Opportunities and Challenges in Tanzania’s Sugar Industry: Lessons for SAGCOT and the New Alliance
August 7, 2014 / Policy Briefs Policy Brief 76 Emmanuel Sulle Sugarcane outgrower schemes are central to several policy and donor strategies for driving agricultural growth and reducing poverty, including the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor project in Tanzania (SAGCOT). But field research into the outgrower component
7 August: China and Brazil in African Agriculture – news roundup
August 7, 2014 / FAC blog Zimbabwe in talks for $4bn Chinese loan The Zimbabwean government is currently in discussions with China over a $4bn bailout loan. This loans comes at an important time as Zimbabwe tries to stabilise its current economic slump. As part of
Can Sub-Saharan Africa’s plural seed systems survive?
August 6, 2014 / FAC blog Participants at the Regional Dialogue on Strengthening African Seed Systems held last month in Nairobi sought to address to this question from a political economy perspective. Many participants raised doubts about the ability of scientists and policy analysts to influence
About the seminar
July 17, 2014 / Agricultural investment and the land rush On 11 – 12 August 2014, parliamentarians of the Southern African Development Community-Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) and the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) will debate strategies to ensure that foreign investment in agriculture brings benefits to local populations, including strengthening citizens’ land rights,
17 July: China and Brazil in African agriculture – news roundup
July 17, 2014 / FAC blog New IDS Bulletin: ‘China and International Development’ This IDS Bulletin focuses on China’s development strategy and its own development experience, its increasing involvement in development activities in low- and middle-income countries, as well as its collaboration with OECD-DAC members in
Storify: Green Economy in the South conference
July 14, 2014 / Green Economy in the South Our conference Storify tells the story of the event through tweets, images and links to blogs and other relevant material. Browse the Storify below and follow the links to read more on the debates at Green Economy in the South.
Green Economy in the South: blog roundup
July 11, 2014 / Green Economy in the South The Green Economy in the South conference held in Tanzania this week highlighted Southern academic perspectives on the green economy – a debate often dominated by Northern voices. Participants and the organisers have blogged about their experiences at the event
A culture of extraction and exclusion: How philanthropy impoverishes the vulnerable
July 11, 2014 / FAC blog Mining: what counts as development? In extractive industries like mining, despite using development language, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes are problematic. For example, regarding mining companies in Zambia, Tomas Frederikson (right) argued that while CSR models were changing to become
‘Carbon missionaries’: saving Africa from itself?
July 11, 2014 / Climate Change Carbon schemes, designed to protect and sustain forests in the global South, can conflict with the interests of those who live in and depend on them. On our blog, Joanes Atela problems with the 'missionary discourse' behind this key part
Missionary discourses: can the green economy bring climate justice to the South?
July 11, 2014 / FAC blog The Kariba carbon project in Zimbabwe, for instance, claims that it will alleviate poverty, help people have food, education and health and at the same time provide enormous ecological benefits in terms of reduced degradation and wildlife protection. Similar arguments