Investments In Africa- Is It Only a Land Grab??

Investments in Africa are quite often seen as merely land grab. The World Bank’s study released in September 2010 identified 45 million hectares under negotiation for allocation during 2009 alone, of which 70 percent (about 32 million hectares) was in Africa. A new study by the International Land Coalition suggests that the true figure could be much higher, at around 80 million hectares, 64 percent (about 50 million hectares) of these in Africa. The exponential rise of interest for investing in Africa is chiefly because of 3As- Agri, Area and Affordability. In 2007-08 fluctuation in global prices of commodity forced many food grain importing Nations to change their strategies. They started looking out for meeting their food demand through own production at foreign lands.

Steep rise and high fluctuation in oil prices has laid foundation for alternate source of energy. Few Agriculture produce have identified as potential source of energy. A large area needed to produce them for mitigating the expected demand.

Africa being in under-developed tag offers quite low price for lands, which allured investors to set their eyes for resourceful cheap lands largely for their agricultural operations.

Despite categorized in investors ideology of just land grabbing, Africa still attracts just less than 5% of global FDI projects. This low share of percentage showcases that it isn’t merely a race for land grabbing but of well sound business motives. Investors are choosing Africa because of

1.  733 Million hectare arable land, which can play a great role in world food security
2. Only 57-58% of agricultural productivity compared to their Asian and South American counterparts, sets opportunity for quality input suppliers
3. Big economies are at single digit growth rate, while Africa provides consumer side demand for over 1 Billion people
4. Cheaper labour availability
5. Availability of natural resources necessary for investment
6. Local policy and industrial facilitation

Business requires investments, in form of Land, human resource and many other business activities. Investor moving towards Africa because of cheaper lands, but this isn’t a sole reason for them to invest in Africa. A survey finding suggests that 88% of investors feels Africa is an attractive business destination for investment, compared to likelihood the actual investments are quite low. The root cause for this heavy difference is because of sound business plans. Investors want to invest in Africa with a long term vision. However, to avoid any land-grabbing interest local government can design policies to secure national resources.

 

Lets take a Pause

When things go left I move right- guess this is the phenomenon we often counter with. We breath same air, drink same water (except if you change the brand or mix it with some obnoxious material ). Our every morning to the time we enter in the dream world we have been repetitive in much of activities. Lets take a pause think thorough-

1) what is it that i like about me?

2) what is it that others like about me?

3) what is it that i could have did better today?

4) what is it that can make me what i wana be?

5) and yeah last but no least when you answer all the whats.. lets get through with the answers for all by asking how, when.

We often realize our strengths and get appraised for it. we often try to cover our weaknesses by our strengths. we are 99% reluctant to work on our weaknesses - carry an attitude like
 

1) I don't need it.

2) I am better than him.

3) He is fool- thats a silly thing spotting such of weaknesses in me, better he should have change in himself

.

Mind it guys, life is so simple if you know yourself and you behave exactly as others want. Peep into others mindset change your colors according to others mood and yeah you are through.

Every night just before entering into your lovely dream world have a meeting with yourself set your own goals do the analysis of what went today. and am telling you would everyday as a new day, you would feel every sip as a tastier water or every breath as lovelier air.

Just think thorough, think different everyday.

With Lots of Love,

Ankit

WHOM to BLAME????

Every now and than we hear people criticizing government, – Roads are not good, this is bad, Govt should do this and that. Top of that environment becomes so tidy that we are taken into a new world of criticism by our respected media. Just going through a thought in my mind whom I should blame – Government, Media, Anna, or many other gentleman like politicians, bureaucrats…
For god sake why don’t we understand a simple fact, we are the one who should be blamed :-
We made the Government and Government do everything to secure that vote bank (because that’s their job). Rushdie was so called banned because Government wants to secure their vote-bank which wanted Government to do so. Media hyped the matter because they were knowing this will boost their TRPs. There are thousands of such examples. Our support and fan-base made cricketers on the top and forced BCCI to choose them and now we blame they are useless. We put Anna at the Post of Bapu and then we say he is a politician.
Its all Business and we need to understand that we (citizen) are the client. and mind it any business is a client game. We choose government, We make stars, we make leaders. So at first case if some-one is to be blamed then its us who should take self onus for every situation.
Participate in voting, make your own government. Make your own judgement before viewing and making perceptions through any other medium. stop seeing rubbish on TV. Its not protests which can change the country its we who can change this country in a regular manner without making any extra effort. And, I tell you we is a combination of I, so if I gets changed everything would be changed.
But tell you one thing that we are not going to be changed we love reading Chetan Bhagat’s books and you know what only the page which contains sex-scene, We love the unsuccessful batsman giving tips to Sachin, We love politicians making controversies, We love doing strikes, we love making fun of serious situations.
Change yourself-think for others. Let this country feel proud of you.
Lets other feel the power of youth…
Thanks for your precious time in reading this…
With Love,
Ankit