Property, Possession, Incorporation: Another Look at Agribusiness Venture Agreements in the Philippines

Alfredo Rosete (arosete@econs.umass.edu)
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Alfredo Rosete: Department of Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

No 2016-09, UMASS Amherst Economics Working Papers from University of Massachusetts Amherst, Department of Economics

Abstract: Of late, incorporating smallholder land, through partnerships with agribusiness firms that cultivate export crops has received some attention among scholars, policymakers and non-government organizations (NGOs). Some see such partnerships as a means of raising smallholder incomes, and achieving rural development. However, several case studies have shown that such partnerships can result in low incomes, and effective dispossession of smallholders. This essay examines how this dynamic occurs by comparing the experiences of smallholders in the Davao Region of the Philippines. I argue that despite the smallholders observable and enforceable property rights, the costs and risks of cultivation, coupled with an unfavorable political environment generate conditions under which smallholders cede control over their holdings in a partnership. This results in both lower incomes, and exclusion from the use of their land.

Keywords: Rural Development; Land Conflict; Agribusiness; Agrarian Reform (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F63 N55 N75 O13 O19 O53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-sea
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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