The World Bank has been increasingly involved in post-Independence Kenya’s agricultural development since the drought of 1973 and the Oil Crisis of the same year. Their stated objectives across...Show moreThe World Bank has been increasingly involved in post-Independence Kenya’s agricultural development since the drought of 1973 and the Oil Crisis of the same year. Their stated objectives across these loan agreements and Structural Adjustment Programs have been to liberalise trade and ultimately create a situation of food security in Kenya. In the years that have followed, Kenya has continued to be a major exporter of horticultural goods such as cut-flowers and black tea. Yet Kenya has not emerged as a food secure nation. In fact Kenya is now recognised as a food insecure nation. This is undeniably a highly complex issue with all manner of contributing factors, most notably the worsening climate crisis and internal displacement this has caused. However, Kenya is East Africa’s largest and arguably most stable economy with hugely profitable agricultural exports. Kenya is also a nation unlike many other African nations in that its most valuable natural resource is its soil rather than what lies beneath it. Despite this, more than a third of Kenyan children suffer from stunting meaning chronic malnutrition in pregnant women and children is widespread. This research therefore utilises a theoretical framework based on elements from the Neoliberal Theory of Development, Postcolonial Theory and World Systems Theory to analyse how the World Bank’s loan conditionalities have contributed to Kenya’s status as food insecure. With many of these loans still in the process of being repaid this research focuses on the impacts they have had thus far.Show less
This thesis focusses on Chinese dairy company takeovers in Australia. In particular the Chinese company ‘Mengniu Dairy Company’ taking over the Australian companies ‘Lion Dairy & Drinks Pty Ltd...Show moreThis thesis focusses on Chinese dairy company takeovers in Australia. In particular the Chinese company ‘Mengniu Dairy Company’ taking over the Australian companies ‘Lion Dairy & Drinks Pty Ltd’ and ‘Bellamy’s Organic Ltd.’. The question this thesis answers is the following: Are Chinese dairy company takeovers in Australia beneficial to the Australian dairy industry? The two case studies will help to answer this question. By using case study analysis, process tracing, and preference attainment, this thesis will add a completely new debate to the academic literature. In the end, this thesis argues that Chinese dairy company takeovers in Australia are beneficial to the Australian dairy industry in the short term, because of the influx of foreign capital. However, they are not beneficial in the long term, because Australia will loose its food sovereignty and food security networks to China.Show less
As the subject of my thesis, I wanted study flex crops, because I want to find out how flex crops can help to obtain food security in order to help my reader understand how food security can be...Show moreAs the subject of my thesis, I wanted study flex crops, because I want to find out how flex crops can help to obtain food security in order to help my reader understand how food security can be reached in a sustainable manner. The region of specialization for this thesis is Latin America. Therefore, the research question of this thesis will be: ‘To what extend is there a link between flex crops and food security?’. The hypothesis is that major actors in the agricultural sector, such as corporations and governments claim that flex crops will help to reach food security in the near future, because flex crops have the capacity of multiple uses and therefore, the food sector does not have to compete with other sectors like fuel, but the livelihoods of rural populations and the biodiversity in ecosystems are not taken into consideration in these claims, only the mere idea of prospects of capital accumulation.Show less
This thesis engages with the contested social phenomenon of China in Africa. The phenomenon is a subject of intense debate especially since November 2006 when the first Forum on China-Africa...Show moreThis thesis engages with the contested social phenomenon of China in Africa. The phenomenon is a subject of intense debate especially since November 2006 when the first Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit was held in Beijing. Controversy continues to persist especially about the motives inciting China to deepen its cooperative relations as well as with regard to the effects of Chinese investment and aid, allegedly benefitting the socio-economic development of China and Africa alike. China's activities in Africa's agricultural sector in particular are a subject of interest, as the mainland actor's activities bring to the fore perceptions on both Chinese expertise and know-how in agriculture and development on one hand and Chinese state businesses' self-interested and controversial practices on the other. How should we understand China's enhanced presence in Africa's agriculture? A review of the literature on the topic reveals both useful hints and gaps. By investigating the impact of China's agricultural development package on food security this thesis engages with this debate. In doing so, this thesis not only highlights the complex relationship between agricultural development and food security, a matter of urgent practical concern but also contributes to the growing literature published on Southern development partners, in particular, China. The findings of this thesis indicate that China's agricultural development package holds significant potential to develop Africa's agriculture as well as to enhance food security. In theory and on first sight, China's enhanced presence in Africa's agriculture thus seems to be a positive development. Nevertheless, this research also evidences vested interests and significant implementation problems that might reverse this positive first assessment in the long-run. Consequently, this thesis outlines areas for further research, in particular field studies that are essential to comprehensively understand this subject matter.Show less
This thesis explores the link between migration and food security in Egypt, both in the short and longer term. Instead of relying on predictions and extrapolations typical of traditional...Show moreThis thesis explores the link between migration and food security in Egypt, both in the short and longer term. Instead of relying on predictions and extrapolations typical of traditional forecasting techniques, it uses the novel concept of 'scenario'. The question guiding this research can be summarized as follows: "What do the certainties and uncertainties of possible future migration trends reveal about food security issues in Egypt?". The research results in two scenario matrices, of which two possible scenario outcomes are further elaborated on.Show less
This thesis explores to what extent Mugabe knowingly manipulated political power and the mechanisms of the state to deliberately put into place policies that led to widespread famine and hunger and...Show moreThis thesis explores to what extent Mugabe knowingly manipulated political power and the mechanisms of the state to deliberately put into place policies that led to widespread famine and hunger and to the use of food as a political weapon, strategies that are still prevalent in 2017.Show less
