ABSTRACT

Different from the immediate wave of interest and research on what the media describe as ‘land grabbing’ or, to illustrate the simultaneous resource capture, ‘water grabbing’, this handbook aims to provide a holistic perspective on farmland acquisitions. In my understanding, we are still at the beginning of a new research field. Demographic changes across the world and other global forces such as climate change, water insecurity, energy demands and changing patterns of consumption pose significant challenges for decision-makers world-wide. Making the world food secure in the 21st century will be fundamental to ensuring global economic prosperity and peace.