Aleksa's Book Review: Biofuels, Landgrabbing & Food Security

Even with previous tomes hammering the point home rather forcefully not too long ago, I'm blown away by how massive the biofuel industry is. I had no idea it was over $130 billion, and much of this is state-subsidized as well. In any case, it would seem that my trek into land-grabbing has instead taken a detour to biofuel land.

This book explains in no small amount of detail the types of local governance structures that allow for massive transfers of land to unaccountable businesses that practice very destructive policy. Naturally, with state backing, one can afford to do that - but the local communities in Africa cannot and this book will not let you forget that.

The somewhat hippy and populist tone of the book does irk somewhat, but is more than compensated for by the exquisite examination and comparison of Ghana, Tanzania and elsewhere in Africa. A solid work to understand land policy or the lack thereof. Strongly recommend.
9/10