This project investigates the multiple pressures towards the commercialisation of land in Southern Africa – part of a phenomenon that has accelerated since the ‘food price crisis’ of 2007-2008.
It will provide grounded evidence on how deals are structured, how people respond to them, and the adequacy of existing land rights to protect local people.
Land is increasingly commercialised through the leasing, concessions or sale of public and communal lands to foreign companies and governments for food production, for tourism developments, for biofuel production, and for other commercial agricultural uses.