LAND GRABBING OR RICE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY? THE CASE OF WANBAO PROJECT IN GAZA, MOZAMBIQUE

Abstract

Demand for agricultural land by foreign investors has been increasing in Mozambique over the last years and the Wanbao project is an example. The implementation of this project in Gaza has divided opinions between the government, civil society and academia. This study aims to contribute to the debate on whether Wanbao project can be considered as land grabbing and the extent to which the project contributes to the development of small-scale agriculture in Gaza Province. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire in December 2019 and January 2020, covering a total of 66 household affected by the Wanbao project. The data were analyzed by a descriptive statistic and a cross-check of the Mozambican land law, the available literature on land grabbing and the information collected on the ground from the farmers affected by the project. The results show that the land concession to Wanbao was made without any consideration of customary rights, however, it was found that the contract farming program can increase rice productivity in the short term, but its sustainability remains questionable. Thus, if the Mozambican government intends to transform agriculture through large investments, it must ensure that the concession of land respects customary rights and the companies involved ensure the transfer of technologies in an effective and sustainable manner.