land 'grabbing' in the nile basin and implications for the regional water security
TRANSCRIPT
Land 'grabbing' in the Nile Basin and Land 'grabbing' in the Nile Basin and implications for the regional water security implications for the regional water security
Ana Elisa CascãoAna Elisa CascãoUEA Water Security and ICID seminar UEA Water Security and ICID seminar London, 4 November 2011London, 4 November 2011
Foreign Land Acquisitions in the Nile BasinForeign Land Acquisitions in the Nile Basin
Nile Basin: Land and water available
Huge agricultural potential – ‘breadbasket’ phenomen
Land Acquisitions: not a new reality
2008: Global tipping point in the foreign land acquistions
Land, water and crop dealsLand, water and crop deals
Who are the dealers?
Foreign investors (private and public): Gulf countries, India, China, US and EU - and Egypt
‘National’ investors: agri-business companies, diaspora, etc
National governments: federal and regional level
What is in the contracts?What is in the contracts?
• Long-term land leases (50 to 100 years)• Cheap land: at a price of less than USD 2 per hectare/year• Low taxes• Access to fertile land• Often access to existing infrastructures• Free access to the water resources ((KEY)KEY)
• Long-term land leases (50 to 100 years)• Cheap land: at a price of less than USD 2 per hectare/year• Low taxes• Access to fertile land• Often access to existing infrastructures• Free access to the water resources ((KEY)KEY)
What are the dimensions?What are the dimensions?
Saudi Star/Saudi Star/Al-AmoudiAl-Amoudi
The company: The company: Ethiopia-Saudi joint ventureLocation: Location: Alwero/Abobo, Alwero/Abobo, irrigation potentialirrigation potentialSSize: ize: 140,000 ha140,000 haProduction: Production: Mainly riceMainly riceImpacts? Impacts? Trade-offsTrade-offs
KaruturiKaruturi
The company: world's top 25 agri-businessesLocation: Baro banksSize: 100,000 ha(and further 200,000 ha)Production: Palm oil (20,000), Sugar cane (15,000), 40,000 ( rice and cereals)Impacts? many
GAMBELLA REGION IN WESTERN ETHIOPIA (since 2009): 1 million hectares leased, nearly a quarter of its farmland, to 896 companiesGAMBELLA REGION IN WESTERN ETHIOPIA (since 2009): 1 million hectares leased, nearly a quarter of its farmland, to 896 companies
‘‘Land Grab’ or Development Opportunity?Land Grab’ or Development Opportunity?
Speculative bubble? Or real agricultural Speculative bubble? Or real agricultural expansion in the Nile Basin?expansion in the Nile Basin?
Agricultural expasion upstreamAgricultural expasion upstreamand implications for the regional water security and implications for the regional water security
in the Nilein the Nile
Baro River
Akobo River
Sobat River
Gilo River
White Nile River
Impacts in the regional ‘water security’Impacts in the regional ‘water security’
• Water flow regimes• Environmental impacts (deforestation, soil, sedimentation, etc)• National and Regional Food security • Impacts on water allocations• Balance of power between Nile riparians• Change in the bargaining positions?
Land ‘grabbing’ and Water Security WebLand ‘grabbing’ and Water Security Web
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