Definition of land grab

The term "land grab" refers to the acquisition or leasing of large tracts of land in developing countries by foreign investors or multinational corporations, often for the purpose of agricultural production. The term "grab" in this context refers to the rapid and often aggressive nature of these land acquisitions, which can cause displacement of local communities and exacerbate existing land inequities. The phenomenon gained significant attention in the media and policy circles around 2008, as the global food price crisis and concerns about food security sparked a surge in land purchases. Critics of land grabs argue that they often lead to environmental degradation, human rights abuses, and poor financial returns for local communities, while proponents argue that they can bring economic opportunities and contribute to global food security. The term "land grab" has become a highly contested and politicized issue in international development, and debates around it continue to evolve as new data and perspectives emerge.