The (Land) Matrix
Latest data from the ongoing Land Matrix characterize some of the key features of the land rush.
A number of organizations began collaborating on the Land Matrix project in 2009 to systematically collate and cross-reference information on large-scale land acquisitions.
These include transactions that entail a transfer of rights to use, control, or own land through sale, lease, or concession; imply a conversion from land used by smallholders, or for important environmental functions, to large-scale commercial use; and are 200 hectares or larger.
The Land Matrix project records large-scale land deals that cover 203 million hectares of land worldwide – an area nearly the size of northwestern Europe.
The project now includes International Land Coalition, Center for Agricultural Research for Development, International Institute for Environment and Development, Center for Agricultural Research for Development, Center for Development and Environment (University of Bern), German Institute of Global and Area Studies and GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit or GTZ).