Do land rushes really improve food security in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Abstract

Developing countries have been affected by the land rush phenomenon for several years. This paper investigates the effect of a land rush on food security during the period 2000–2018. Using panel data for 32 Sub-Saharan African countries, econometric investigations show that land rush not only has an adverse effect on the production of cereals but also increases malnutrition. More interestingly, the effect on food security do not depend on land use. Unlike land acquisition for biofuel which has no effect on food security, land acquisition for food crops, mixed production of biofuel and food crops and land for other uses contribute to food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa through a decrease in cereal production and increased malnutrition.