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Land Grabbing, Agribusiness and the Peasantry in Brazil and Mozambique

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  • Elizabeth Alice Clements

    (Elizabeth Alice Clements is a Master’s student in Geography at São Paulo State University (UNESP), Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil and a researcher at the Center for Agrarian Reform Study, Research and Projects (NERA). Email: liz.clements87@gmail.com)

  • Bernardo Mançano Fernandes

    (Bernardo Mançano Fernandes is Professor of Geography at the São Paulo State University (UNESP), Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, Brazil and UNESCO Chair in Territorial Development and Education for the Countryside. Email: bmfunesp@terra.com.br)

Abstract

This article examines the expansion of agribusiness and the evolution of land grabbing in Brazil and Mozambique. The modernization of Brazil’s agricultural sector, which began in the 1960s, successfully expanded into the cerrado region in the 1980s under the state-led PRODECER project. Modernization and state-led programmes such as PRODECER gave new rise to different forms and practices of land grabbing, creating spaces for investment by foreigners. Over the last three decades the production of soybeans in the cerrado has come under substantial foreign control and in recent years, sugarcane production and foreign investment in the ethanol industry has grown markedly in the region; the social and environmental effects of this have been devastating. In this article we will also examine the recent interest of Brazilian agribusinesses in investing in Mozambican land and in particular, the ProSAVANA programme modelled on PRODECER. We argue that while Brazil is subject to land grabbing by foreign capital, it has also become a promoter of land grabbing in Mozambique.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth Alice Clements & Bernardo Mançano Fernandes, 2013. "Land Grabbing, Agribusiness and the Peasantry in Brazil and Mozambique," Agrarian South: Journal of Political Economy, Centre for Agrarian Research and Education for South, vol. 2(1), pages 41-69, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:agspub:v:2:y:2013:i:1:p:41-69
    DOI: 10.1177/2277976013477185
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Welch, Cliff, 2006. "Globalization and the Transformation of Work in Rural Brazil: Agribusiness, Rural Labor Unions, and Peasant Mobilization," International Labor and Working-Class History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 70(1), pages 35-60, October.
    2. Klaus Deininger & Derek Byerlee & Jonathan Lindsay & Andrew Norton & Harris Selod & Mercedes Stickler, 2011. "Rising Global Interest in Farmland : Can it Yield Sustainable and Equitable Benefits?," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2263, December.
    3. Saturnino M. Borras & David Fig & Sofía Monsalve Suárez, 2011. "The politics of agrofuels and mega-land and water deals: insights from the ProCana case, Mozambique," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 38(128), pages 215-234, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cabral, Lídia & Favareto, Arilson & Mukwereza, Langton & Amanor, Kojo, 2016. "Brazil’s Agricultural Politics in Africa: More Food International and the Disputed Meanings of “Family Farming”," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 47-60.
    2. Mastewal Yami & Shiferaw Feleke & Tahirou Abdoulaye & Arega D. Alene & Zoumana Bamba & Victor Manyong, 2019. "African Rural Youth Engagement in Agribusiness: Achievements, Limitations, and Lessons," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Camacho, Rodrigo Simão & Sobreiro Filho, José & Sobreiro, Vinicius Amorim & Mariano, Enzo Barberio, 2016. "Evaluation of the relationship between education and sustainability in peasant movements: The experience of the National Education Program in Agrarian Reform," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 152-161.
    4. Carolina Milhorance & Marcel Bursztyn, 2017. "South-South civil society partnerships: renewed ties of political contention and policy building," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 35, pages 80-95, October.
    5. Stavros Afionis & Lindsay C. Stringer & Nicola Favretto & Julia Tomei & Marcos S. Buckeridge, 2016. "Unpacking Brazil’s Leadership in the Global Biofuels Arena: Brazilian Ethanol Diplomacy in Africa," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 16(3), pages 127-150, August.
    6. Camille L. Nolasco & Luciana S. Soler & Marcos W. D. Freitas & Myanna Lahsen & Jean P. H. B. Ometto, 2017. "Scenarios of Vegetable Demand vs. Production in Brazil: The Links between Nutritional Security and Small Farming," Land, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-19, July.
    7. Sara M. Torres & Emilio F. Moran & Ramon Felipe Bicudo da Silva, 2017. "Property Rights and the Soybean Revolution: Shaping How China and Brazil Are Telecoupled," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-15, June.

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