In the wake of global problems such as growing water scarcity, increasing demand for food and climate change affecting arable land and its productivity, private companies and governmental institutions around the world are purchasing land in developing countries.
In the wake of global problems such as growing water scarcity, increasing demand for food and climate change affecting arable land and its productivity, private companies and governmental institutions around the world are purchasing land in developing countries.
The boom in the acquisition of arable land in Africa by foreign, private as well as public institutions has sparked an international debate by international institutions, nongovernmental groups and independent development experts.
At present, there is an ongoing debate on whether the transfer of land from local farmers to foreign investors presents the continent an opportunity for development or an agrarian colonialism.
The Organization for Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa (OSSREA) would like to invite researchers to submit proposals and provide research grant to successful applicants to conduct studies on the aforementioned and related issues.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants should be nationals of countries of Eastern and Southern Africa and should be based in a research and higher learning institution.
Applicants must hold at least a Masters degree in the social sciences from an accredited institution.
Applicants from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique and Sudan are highly encouraged as these are the countries where land deals with foreign firms are observed.
Budget:
The budget for the proposed research should not exceed US$ 10,000
Deadlines:
Applications and proposals should be submitted to OSSREA by e-mail by 30th, July, 2011.
See Downloads for more information and application procedures
Downloads
Call for Proposals: Grant competition on land deals, OSSREA: pdf, ps