Hossein Azadi

Field: Land Use
Country of origin: Iran
Period of stay at IIAS: 01/11/2009 - 01/02/2010
Status: Affiliated fellow
Home institute: Environmental Science Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Iran - Centre for Development Studies, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
Research topic: Global Land Grabbing for Food and Biofuels: Consequences of China Rise on Developing Countries

Project description

Since two decades ago, when China’s economic strength has made this most populated country in the world as a leading global land investor, there have increasingly been hot debates on whether such investments are destructive or constructive for host countries. Some critics pessimistically call it ‘land grabs’ or ‘neo-colonialism’ whiles others optimistically appreciate it as a development opportunity. The first group interprets it as a win-loss while the second considers it as a win-win deal.

Lack of a comprehensive field study which can analyse political relations, bargaining power, corruption, bribe, job opportunity, social welfare, inequities and conflicts as well as ecological impacts, food security and safety, food and land price fluctuations as the main consequences of such investments is obvious. Using a mixed-method approach, this comparative study aims at evaluating these socio-economic, ecological, and political consequences by conducting several field studies in some developing countries.

Publications