Zed Books Agricultural Development and Food Security in Africa: The Impact of Chinese, Indian and Brazilian Investments (Africa Now)

The subject of food security and land issues in Africa has become one of increased importance and contention over recent years. In particular, the focus has shifted to the role new global South donors - especially India, China and Brazil - are playing in shaping African agriculture through their increased involvement and investment in the continent. Approaching the topic through the framework of South-South co-operation, this highly original volume presents a critical analysis of the ways in which Chinese, Indian and Brazilian engagements in African agriculture are structured and implemented. Do these investments have the potential to create new opportunities to improve local living standards, transfer new technology and knowhow to African producers, and reverse the persistent productivity decline in African agriculture? Or will they simply aggravate the problem of food insecurity by accelerating the process of land alienation and displacement of local people from their land? Topical and comprehensive, Agricultural Development and Food Security in Africa offers fresh insight into a set of relationships that will shape both Africa and the world over the coming decades. Review 'Global power structures are changing at an ever rapid pace. Now more than ever, our concepts and understandings are playing a game of catch-up to reality. Agricultural Development and Food Security in Africa offers unsentimental and timely analyses of new forms of South-South integration, subordination and alienation. Cheru and Modi demonstrate how land - with its double dimensions as territory and property - is at the heart of these dynamics.' Christian Lund, University of Copenhagen 'Agriculture is the most important field in Africa and peasants have played a key role in both decolonization and current social life. In the context of globalization, foreign investment in African agriculture, especially from emerging countries such as China, India and Brazil has drawn criticism from the Western media and many African civil society organizations. How to assess the effect of this kind of investment? This book analyses the interaction between emerging countries and Africa, offers insightful views on the issue, and leaves some questions to think about.' Li Anshan, professor in the School of International Studies and director of the Centre of African Studies at Peking University 'This is a timely and insightful book. As Brazil, China and India increase their role in Africa's agriculture, fine-grained analyses about the patterns, drivers and impacts of that involvement are particularly welcome. And while much debate on "land grabbing" has been dominated by Western writers, this book presents a mosaic of perspectives from Southern authors. The result is a thought-provoking read for anybody interested in understanding the changing landscape of African agriculture.' --Lorenzo Cotula, senior researcher at International Institute for Environment and Development, and author of The Great African Land Grab? About the Author Fantu Cheru received his PhD in political economy from Portland State University. He is a socio-economist who specialises in rural development, small-scale enterprise environmental planning and resource management, urban and regional planning, participatory research methods, and institutional building and training. His latest publications include The Rise of China and India in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities and Critical Interventions (co-edited with Cyril Obi, 2010) and Africa and International Relations in the 21st Century (co-edited with Scarlett Cornelissen and Timothy M. Shaw, 2011). Renu Modi is a senior lecturer and former director (2008-10) of the Centre for African Studies, University of Mumbai. She is a political scientist who graduated from the Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University. She received her PhD from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU