Archive for July, 2011

The Great Ethiopia Land Grab

Via The Ethiopian Times, an interesting look at the phenomenon which is generally referred to as “Land Grab” in Africa.  As the article notes: “…While this phenomenon is not unique to Africa, and has in fact been going on all over the world, it has however, taken on increasing urgency due to shortages of arable […]

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African Farmland Yield the Elusive Alpha for Portfolios

Via Forbes, an interesting article on the growing appeal of farmland investments as a way to increase portfolio returns: Looking for a 270% return on investment over the next five years? Emergent Asset Management, a London hedge and private equity fund, says it has the perfect investment vehicle for you. Farmland in sub-Saharan Africa. (You’ll […]

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The Secret Sale Of A Country

Via Farmland Grab, a pointer to a very interesting article in The Times examining how foreign companie, governments and individuals investing in agriculture, biofuels and forestry have leased or purchased at least 2.6 million hectares in South Sudan, in the most fertile parts of the country.  As the article notes: Jarch Management has entered into […]

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The New African Land Grab

Via Al Jazeera, an article looking at how foreign investors, with the World Bank, are acquiring vast tracks of land in Africa – at the expense of local farmers. The “town” chief of the village seemed to be in a state of shock. Sitting on the front porch of his mud and thatch home in […]

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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.