An analysis of how large-scale agricultural land acquisitions in Ethiopia have been justified, implemented and opposed

Abstract

Despite the slowdown in large-scale agricultural land acquisitions in recent years, huge tracts of land have already changed hands, and such land acquisitions continue to take place (albeit on a much smaller scale). Ethiopia is an African country that has attracted significant attention in relation to this phenomenon. This article explores the discourses deployed to justify the transfer of huge tracts of agricultural land in Ethiopia and the actual implementation of the policy so far. More importantly, it examines how the discursive justifications and actual implementation of the policy have been challenged and opposed in Ethiopia. Although the Ethiopian Government has resorted to coercion to implement large-scale land acquisitions, there have been noticeable challenges posed by different actors with important roles in delegitimising the process of large-scale land acquisitions, resisting the release of land to investors for commercial agriculture and impeding the performance of investors in undertaking commercial farm operations.