When Land Becomes a Burden: An Analysis of an Underperforming Zambian Land Deal. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salverda, Tijo; Nkonde, Chewe
• Is Part Of: African studies review. Volume 64:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 653
• Page End: 674
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: large-scale land acquisition -- agribusiness -- Zambia -- encroachment -- underperforming investment; African philology -- Periodicals; Africa -- Periodicals; 960.05
• DOI: 10.1017/asr.2021.65
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-0206

Abstract

Abstract: From 2011 onward, a European agribusiness progressively purchased about 38, 000 hectares of land in Zambia. Although operations have commenced on the ground, only part of the land has been developed. Salverda and Nkonde look at the reasons for and implications of this partial development, focusing particularly on how, in such a context, Zambia's slow-moving land administration, lack of financing, and the presence of rural residents on the purchased land have become self-reinforcing challenges. Their aim is to provide insights about why (very large) land deals often fail to achieve their projected capacity, leaving both investors and local residents in limbo.