Archive for September, 2010

21st Century Land Rush
September 22nd, 2010

Via The American, an interesting report on how move toward securing farmland in faraway places can be seen not only as a bet on increasing food prices, but also as a hedge against a breakdown in world trade.  As the article notes: “…Farmers often joke that they don’t want any more land… except their neighbors’. […]

Read more »
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Not The Local, But Rather The Global Food Movement
September 16th, 2010

An interesting opinion piece from the Christian Science Monitor on the global consequences of wealthy countries buying up farm land in poorer countries – with global consequences. As the article notes: “…Proponents of the local food movement like to talk about keeping “food miles” to a minimum. Buying a New Zealand apple in New England […]

Read more »
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Buffett May Avoid Brazil Backlash
September 4th, 2010

Amid reports that Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is seeking a partnership with Brazilian billionaire Rubens Ometto and soybean grower Blairo Maggi to buy farmland in the South American country, Agrimoney has an interesting report on how the planned venture could be structured to avoid the recent backlash in Brazil against foreign land investors.  As […]

Read more »
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Qatar Sows Seeds Globally In Bid for Food Security
September 4th, 2010

Via The National, an analysis of Qatar’s acquisition and investment actions worldwide in order to ensure its food security.  As the article notes: “…To help ensure a steady supply of food for the nation’s fast-growing population, the $1 billion (Dh3.7bn) subsidiary of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund finalised a $500 million agreement last year to grow […]

Read more »
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

  | 
About This Blog And Its Author
Seeds Of A Revolution is committed to defining the disruptive geopolitics of the global Farms Race.  Due to the convergence of a growing world population, increased water scarcity, and a decrease in arable land & nutrient-rich soil, a spike of international investment interest in agricultural is inevitable and apt to bring a heretofore domestic industry into a truly global realm.  Whether this transition involves global land leases or acquisitions, the fundamental need for food & the protectionist feelings this need can give rise to is highly likely to cause such transactions to move quickly into the geopolitical realm.  It is this disruptive change, and the potential for a global farms race, that Seeds Of A Revolution tracks, analyzes, and forecasts.

Educated at Yale University (Bachelor of Arts - History) and Harvard (Master in Public Policy - International Development), Monty Simus has long held a keen interest in natural resource policy and the geopolitical implications of anticipated stresses in the areas of freshwater scarcity, biodiversity reserves & parks, and farm land.  Monty has lived, worked, and traveled in more than forty countries spanning Africa, China, western Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Southeast & Central Asia, and his personal interests comprise economic development, policy, investment, technology, natural resources, and the environment, with a particular focus on globalization’s impact upon these subject areas.  Monty writes about freshwater scarcity issues at www.waterpolitics.com and frontier investment markets at www.wildcatsandblacksheep.com.