LAND-GRABBING-OR-LAND-TO-INVESTORS

Ethiopia, Oromia region, Debre Sina area. The average size of plots cultivated by local farmers does not exceed 0,6 hectares, hardly enough to sustain a typical large Ethiopian family. Ethiopia is the second most densely populated country in Africa.
Ethiopia, Oromia region, Debre Sina area. The average size of plots cultivated by local farmers does not exceed 0,6 hectares, hardly enough to sustain a typical large Ethiopian family. Ethiopia is the second most densely populated country in Africa.
Ethiopia, Gambella. Burning forest around the Karuturi facility to allow access to bulldozers preparing the ground for oil palm and sugar cane plantations. The plan is to extend the initial 100.000 hectares to a total of 300.000, including a canal for channeling the waters of the Boro River to irrigate the plantations. The area is near a national park where the second largest animal migration in Africa occurs. It also borders a 300.000 hectare compound leased to Saudi Star, controlled by Al Amoudi
Ethiopia, Gambella. Burning forest around the Karuturi facility to allow access to bulldozers preparing the ground for oil palm and sugar cane plantations. The plan is to extend the initial 100.000 hectares to a total of 300.000, including a canal for channeling the waters of the Boro River to irrigate the plantations. The area is near a national park where the second largest animal migration in Africa occurs. It also borders a 300.000 hectare compound leased to Saudi Star, controlled by Al Amoudi, a Sheikh of Ethiopian origins. The activities of these and other investors have led Human Rights Watch to denounce the dangers of land leasing. Karuturi claims they have produced environmental impact reports and preserved the free movement of animals through corridors of intact forest.
Ethiopia, Gambella. Bulldozers are preparing the ground for oil palm and sugar cane plantations around the Karuturi facility.
Ethiopia, Gambella. Bulldozers are preparing the ground for oil palm and sugar cane plantations around the Karuturi facility. 
Ethiopia, Gambella. Construction in progress for a canal channeling the waters from the Boro River to irrigate the sugar cane and oil palm plantations to be established by Karuturi on the 100.000 hectares leased to them initially, eventually to be expanded to a total of 300.000.
Ethiopia, Gambella. Construction in progress for a canal channeling the waters from the Boro River to irrigate the sugar cane and oil palm plantations to be established by Karuturi on the 100.000 hectares leased to them initially, eventually to be expanded to a total of 300.000.
Ethiopia, Gambella. Adam and Nebiyu are herders. Since the land has been leased to investors they are prevented from crossing pastures, thus lengthening their routes to water sources.
Ethiopia, Gambella. Adam and Nebiyu are herders. Since the land has been leased to investors they are prevented from crossing pastures, thus lengthening their routes to water sources.  
Ethiopia, Metahara. Metahara Sugar Factory. The red area on the map shows the 20 thousand hectare compound which is about to be allocated in the Awash\Afar area, for the purpose of boosting sugar and biofuel production. The government-owned company has confiscated land inhabited by the Afar people, causing discontent among those who refuse to move to make room for plantations.
Ethiopia, Metahara. Metahara Sugar Factory. The red area on the map shows the 20 thousand hectare compound which is about to be allocated in the Awash\Afar area, for the purpose of boosting sugar and biofuel production. The government-owned company has confiscated land inhabited by the Afar people, causing discontent among those who refuse to move to make room for plantations.
Ethiopia, Holetta. A rose growing in one of the greenhouses springing up around the city. Favorable climate conditions and government relief have led to Holetta being chosen as a new production site by many flower growers present in Kenya, including Karuturi, the Bangalore company that is n° 1 worldwide for daily flowers production (1,5 million). Karuturi is planning further investments in Ethiopia, including the development of a 300.000-hectare lease in the Gambella area.
Ethiopia, Holetta. A rose growing in one of the greenhouses springing up around the city. Favorable climate conditions and government relief have led to Holetta being chosen as a new production site by many flower growers present in Kenya, including Karuturi, the Bangalore company that is n° 1 worldwide for daily flowers production (1,5 million). Karuturi is planning further investments in Ethiopia, including the development of a 300.000-hectare lease in the Gambella area.
Ethiopia, Awassa. The Jittu Horticulture greenhouses. Company provided buses take workers to the compound, where the Jittu corporation employs about 1300 people for a daily wage of no more than $1. Jittu belongs to Sheik Al Amoudi, a Saudi of Ethiopian origins who ranks 63rd among the richest men on the planet. Jittu is one of the largest agricultural companies in the country and the largest exporter to the UAE; with 80% of its production exported there. Through Barakat, one of its Dubai importers, Jittu
Ethiopia, Awassa. The Jittu Horticulture greenhouses. Company provided buses take workers to the compound, where the Jittu corporation employs about 1300 people for a daily wage of no more than $1. Jittu belongs to Sheik Al Amoudi, a Saudi of Ethiopian origins who ranks 63rd among the richest men on the planet. Jittu is one of the largest agricultural companies in the country and the largest exporter to the UAE; with 80% of its production exported there. Through Barakat, one of its Dubai importers, Jittu is the exclusive supplier to the Hilton hotel chain in the UAE as well as to the main hotels, restaurants and shopping centers there.
Ethiopia, Awassa. Jittu Horticulture greenhouses where beef tomatoes are grown.
Ethiopia, Awassa. Jittu Horticulture greenhouses where beef tomatoes are grown. 
Ethiopia, Gambella. 28 year old Abago, from the village of Ibago, waters the oil palm nursery in the Karuturi compound. Her village will likely be moved to make room for plantations.
Ethiopia, Gambella. 28 year old Abago, from the village of Ibago, waters the oil palm nursery in the Karuturi compound. Her village will likely be moved to make room for plantations.
Ethiopia, Gawani, Afar region. Afar workers gather cotton in Herrie Hamedi Ali's plantation. Herrie Hamedi Ali is an Afar native who lives in Awash, 150km further south. He has invested in a 1000 hectare lease.
Ethiopia, Gawani, Afar region. Afar workers gather cotton in Herrie Hamedi Ali's plantation. Herrie Hamedi Ali is an Afar native who lives in Awash, 150km further south. He has invested in a 1000 hectare lease.
Ethiopia, Gawani, an area in Afar. Herrie Hamedi Ali is an Afar native who lives in Awash, 150km further south. He has invested in a 1000 hectare lease. In the background is Mount Ayelu, at 2145 m the highest mountain in the region.
Ethiopia, Gawani, an area in Afar. Herrie Hamedi Ali is an Afar native who lives in Awash, 150km further south. He has invested in a 1000 hectare lease. In the background is Mount Ayelu, at 2145 m the highest mountain in the region.
Ethiopia, Metahara. Metahara Sugar Factory. Lopiso Lagebo (25) comes from Kambata, a small town 800 km from Metahara, in the Southern Region. For Lopiso, work starts at 5 A.M. when the plantation is set on fire, and as soon as it cools down, Lopiso enters the field and starts cutting cane, finishing at 12 or 1 o'clock. He cuts up to 5 tons of sugar cane a day and earns 0,80$. The company recruits the entire work force around his home town, where land shortage drives the workers to emigrate.
Ethiopia, Metahara. Metahara Sugar Factory. Lopiso Lagebo (25) comes from Kambata, a small town 800 km from Metahara, in the Southern Region.  For Lopiso, work starts at 5 A.M. when the plantation is set on fire, and as soon as it cools down, Lopiso enters the field and starts cutting cane, finishing at 12 or 1 o'clock. He cuts up to 5 tons of sugar cane a day and earns 0,80$.  The company recruits the entire work force around his home town, where land shortage drives the workers to emigrate. In order to boost sugar and biofuel production, the management of government-owned Metahara sugar factory, has confiscated over 20 thousand hectares of land inhabited by the Afar people, causing discontent among those who refuse to move their village to make room for the plantations.
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Mr. Birinder Singh is the executive director of the Karuturi Agro Industries. Small flags on the map mark the company facilities present in the country. Karuturi is the largest producer of roses in the world. Although this activity is concentrated mainly in Kenya, it is gradually moving to Ethiopia because of favorable economic conditions granted by the Ethiopian government and low labor costs. Karuturi also owns a lease of 100.000 hectares, set to increase to 300.000, in the Gambel
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Mr. Birinder Singh is the executive director of the Karuturi Agro Industries. Small flags on the map mark the company facilities present in the country. Karuturi is the largest producer of roses in the world. Although this activity is concentrated mainly in Kenya, it is gradually moving to Ethiopia because of favorable economic conditions granted by the Ethiopian government and low labor costs. Karuturi also owns a lease of 100.000 hectares, set to increase to 300.000, in the Gambella area, where they plan to start sugar cane, palm oil and rice plantations. The Ethiopian government believes that overseas investments in these monocultures will lift the country out of its agricultural backwardness.
Ethiopia, Holetta. Workers in the Jittu Horticulture shipping department pack strawberries leaving for Dubai the same evening. The Holetta facility employs about 400 workers getting paid no more than $1 a day. The company claims that all workers have access to health care and pension programs. Due to special climate conditions in Holetta, the quality of the strawberries grown there is among the best on the market. Jittu belongs to Sheik Al Amoudi, a Saudi of Ethiopian origins, who is 63rd richest man
Ethiopia, Holetta. Workers in the Jittu Horticulture shipping department pack strawberries leaving for Dubai the same evening. The Holetta facility employs about 400 workers getting paid no more than $1 a day. The company claims that all workers have access to health care and pension programs. Due to special climate conditions in Holetta, the quality of the strawberries grown there is among the best on the market.  Jittu belongs to Sheik Al Amoudi, a Saudi of Ethiopian origins, who is 63rd richest man on the planet. Jittu is the primary exporter to the UAE with 80% of its production exported there. It is the exclusive supplier to the Hilton hotel chain in the UAE through Barakat, one of its Dubai importers. It also supplies the main hotels, restaurants and shopping centers in that country.
Ethiopia, Holetta. Once cut, the roses are taken to the stocking and shipping area where they are packed and readied for the daily shipments to Holland.
Ethiopia, Holetta. Once cut, the roses are taken to the stocking and shipping area where they are packed and readied for the daily shipments to Holland. 
Ethiopia, Awash, near Amibara and the Aledeghi natural reserve. The planting of sugar cane cuttings. This area is included in the government-owned Metahara Sugar Factory's 20 thousand hectare expansion plan, aimed at boosting sugar and biofuel production.
Ethiopia, Awash, near Amibara and the Aledeghi natural reserve. The planting of sugar cane cuttings. This area is included in the government-owned Metahara Sugar Factory's 20 thousand hectare expansion plan, aimed at boosting sugar and biofuel production.
Ethiopia, Awash, near Amibara and the natural reserve of Aledeghi. An Afar herdsman with his livestock crossing the ground set for construction of new road for transporting sugar cane. This area is included in the government-owned Metahara Sugar Factory's 20 thousand hectare expansion plan, with the aim of boosting sugar and biofuel production. The native Afar herders have declared they are ready for an armed revolt rather than accepting their villages being moved. The whole area benefits from food aid
Ethiopia, Awash, near Amibara and the natural reserve of Aledeghi. An Afar herdsman with his livestock crossing the ground set for construction of new road for transporting sugar cane. This area is included in the government-owned Metahara Sugar Factory's 20 thousand hectare expansion plan, with the aim of boosting sugar and biofuel production. The native Afar herders have declared they are ready for an armed revolt rather than accepting their villages being moved. The whole area benefits from food aid distributed by various agencies, including the World Food Program and US Aid.
Ethiopia, Awash, Arabhara. The village of Arabhara is near the Kebena River, between the town of Amibara and the Aledeghi natural reserve. This area is included in the government-owned Metahara Sugar Factory's 20 thousand hectare expansion plan, aimed at boosting sugar and biofuel production. The native Afar herders have declared they are ready for an armed revolt rather than accepting their villages being moved. The whole area benefits from food aid distributed by various agencies
Ethiopia, Awash, Arabhara. The village of Arabhara is near the Kebena River, between the town of Amibara and the Aledeghi natural reserve. This area is included in the government-owned Metahara Sugar Factory's 20 thousand hectare expansion plan, aimed at boosting sugar and biofuel production. The native Afar herders have declared they are ready for an armed revolt rather than accepting their villages being moved. The whole area benefits from food aid distributed by various agencies, including the World Food Program and US Aid.
Ethiopia, Awash, Arabhara. School in Arabhara, a village near the Kebena River, between the town of Amibara and the Aledeghi natural reserve. This area is included in the government-owned Metahara Sugar Factory's 20 thousand hectare expansion plan, aimed at boosting sugar and biofuel production. The whole area benefits from food aid distributed by various agencies, including the World Food Program and US Aid.
Ethiopia, Awash, Arabhara. School in Arabhara, a village near the Kebena River, between the town of Amibara and the Aledeghi natural reserve. This area is included in the government-owned Metahara Sugar Factory's 20 thousand hectare expansion plan, aimed at boosting sugar and biofuel production. The whole area benefits from food aid distributed by various agencies, including the World Food Program and US Aid.
Ethiopia, Agula region of Tigray. Farming women walk along a bank to reach their plot. The average size of plots cultivated by the local farmers is no more than 0,6 hectares, hardly sufficient to guarantee sustenance for typical, large Ethiopian families. Ethiopia is the second most densely populated country in Africa.
Ethiopia, Agula region of Tigray. Farming women walk along a bank to reach their plot. The average size of plots cultivated by the local farmers is no more than 0,6 hectares, hardly sufficient to guarantee sustenance for typical, large Ethiopian families. Ethiopia is the second most densely populated country in Africa.
Ethiopia, Metahara. Metahara Sugar Factory. Workers returning from cane cutting. Work starts at 5 AM when the plantation is set on fire, as soon as possible workers enter the field and start cutting cane, finishing at 12 or 1 o'clock. A good worker can cut up to 5 tons of sugar cane a day and earns 0,80$. The company recruits the entire work force 800km to the south in the region of the Southern Nation, where land shortage has forced workers to emigrate. With the goal of boosting sugar and biofuel product
Ethiopia, Metahara. Metahara Sugar Factory. Workers returning from cane cutting. Work starts at 5 AM when the plantation is set on fire, as soon as possible workers enter the field and start cutting cane, finishing at 12 or 1 o'clock. A good worker can cut up to 5 tons of sugar cane a day and earns 0,80$.  The company recruits the entire work force 800km to the south in the region of the Southern Nation, where land shortage has forced workers to emigrate. With the goal of boosting sugar and biofuel production, the management of the government owned Metahara sugar factory has confiscated over 20 thousand hectares of land inhabited by the Afar people, causing discontent among villagers who refuse to move to make room for the plantations.
Ethiopia, Gambella. Warehouse for storing the maize.
Ethiopia, Gambella. Warehouse for storing the maize. 
Ethiopia, Metahara. Metahara Sugar Factory. Inside the factory. In the context of boosting sugar and biofuel production the Metahara sugar factory, which belongs to the government, has confiscated over 20 thousand hectares of land inhabited by the Afar people, provoking a certain amount of discontent amongst those who do not want to move to make room for the plantations.
Ethiopia, Metahara. Metahara Sugar Factory. Inside the factory. In the context of boosting sugar and biofuel production the Metahara sugar factory, which belongs to the government, has confiscated over 20 thousand hectares of land inhabited by the Afar people, provoking a certain amount of discontent amongst those who do not want to move to make room for the plantations.
Ethiopia, Awassa. Twenty-eight year old Birtukan Maneko in the shipping department of Jittu Horticulture cleaning peppers leaving for Dubai the same evening. Jittu employs about 1300 workers in the Awassa facility, for a daily wage of no more than $1. The company claims that all of them have access to health care and pension plans. Jittu belongs to Sheik Al Amoudi, a Saudi of Ethiopian origins ranking as the 63rd richest man on the planet. Jittu is one of the largest agricultural companies in the country
Ethiopia, Awassa. Twenty-eight year old Birtukan Maneko in the shipping department of Jittu Horticulture cleaning peppers leaving for Dubai the same evening. Jittu employs about 1300 workers in the Awassa facility, for a daily wage of no more than $1. The company claims that all of them have access to health care and pension plans. Jittu belongs to Sheik Al Amoudi, a Saudi of Ethiopian origins ranking as the 63rd richest man on the planet. Jittu is one of the largest agricultural companies in the country and the biggest exporter to the UAE. In fact, 80% of its production is exported. For instance, the company is the exclusive supplier for the Hilton hotel chain in the UAE through Barakat, one of its Dubai importers. Jittu also supplies the main hotels, restaurants and shopping centers in that country.
United Arab Emirates, Al Sharjah. One of the warehousing centers where the Jittu corporation delivers vegetables from Ethiopia for distribution by Barakat, exclusive supplier to the Hilton chain in all the Emirates, as well as to numerous shopping centers, restaurants and hotels, such as the Burj al-Arab and the Armani hotel in Burj Khalifa.
United Arab Emirates, Al Sharjah. One of the warehousing centers where the Jittu corporation delivers vegetables from Ethiopia for distribution by Barakat, exclusive supplier to the Hilton chain in all the Emirates, as well as to numerous shopping centers, restaurants and hotels, such as the Burj al-Arab and the Armani hotel in Burj Khalifa.
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Executive director Mr. Birinder Singh on the telephone with another executive in the Karuturi offices. Karuturi is the largest producer of roses in the world. Although this activity is concentrated mainly in Kenya, it is gradually moving to Ethiopia because of the favorable economic conditions granted by the Ethiopian government and low labor costs. Karuturi also owns a lease to 100.000 hectares, to be expanded to 300.000, in the Gambella area.
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Executive director Mr. Birinder Singh on the telephone with another executive in the Karuturi offices. Karuturi is the largest producer of roses in the world. Although this activity is concentrated mainly in Kenya, it is gradually moving to Ethiopia because of the favorable economic conditions granted by the Ethiopian government and low labor costs. Karuturi also owns a lease to 100.000 hectares, to be expanded to 300.000, in the Gambella area, where they plan sugar cane, palm oil and rice plantations. The Ethiopian government believes that overseas investments in these monocultures will lift the country out of its agricultural backwardness.
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Traders in the first Commodities Exchange in Africa. The main products being traded are coffee, grain, maize, sesame and cotton. Traded volumes do not exceed 1.3 millions $ a day, but the development of the agricultural sector planned for the next five years is expected to cause an exponential growth in these volumes.
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Traders in the first Commodities Exchange in Africa. The main products being traded are coffee, grain, maize, sesame and cotton. Traded volumes do not exceed 1.3 millions $ a day, but the development of the agricultural sector planned for the next five years is expected to cause an exponential growth in these volumes.
United Arab Emirates, Dubai. The Marina skyline. Many cargo planes arrive each day in this UAE city with supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables. Owned by Sheik Al Amoudi, Jittu is the main Ethiopian exporter of fresh vegetables and is the exclusive supplier of he Hilton chain in all the Emirates through the importer Barakat. This is also true for many other shopping centers, restaurants and hotels, such as the Burj al-Arab and the Armani hotel in Burj Khalifa.
United Arab Emirates, Dubai. The Marina skyline. Many cargo planes arrive each day in this UAE city with supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables. Owned by Sheik Al Amoudi, Jittu is the main Ethiopian exporter of fresh vegetables and is the exclusive supplier of he Hilton chain in all the Emirates through the importer Barakat. This is also true for many other shopping centers, restaurants and hotels, such as the Burj al-Arab and the Armani hotel in Burj Khalifa.
The Gulf Africa Investment conference, 2010 in Riyadh. Abdul-Aziz bin Sager (left), Chairman of the Gulf Research Center Dubai and Jedda and Fahad Al-Sultan (right) Secretary General of the Council of Saudi Chambers and the Ethiopia, Mozambique, Congo, Benin, Mauritania, Burkina Faso delegations, as well as others, during lunch.
The Gulf Africa Investment conference, 2010 in Riyadh. Abdul-Aziz bin Sager (left), Chairman of the Gulf Research Center Dubai and Jedda and Fahad Al-Sultan (right) Secretary General of the Council of Saudi Chambers and the Ethiopia, Mozambique, Congo, Benin, Mauritania, Burkina Faso delegations, as well as others, during lunch.