Asia

Many of the countries with the highest number of land deals recorded in the Land Matrix database are in Asia, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, Lao PDR, Vietnam, and India. Most large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) are concentrated in Southeast Asia, and cover agriculture, conservation, forestry, industry, renewable energy, and tourism. In Central Asia, LSLAs are mainly associated with the interaction of agricultural land, particularly pasture land, and mining projects. Landlessness and lack of secure access to and tenure over land, water, and forest resources as a result of LSLAs presents a significant threat to the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Asia.

Map

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Data

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Charts

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Country profiles

Country profiles present national-level data of large-scale land acquisitions and transactions including who the investors are, what the aim of the investment is, who the former owner was and what the land was previously used for, and what the potential benefits and impacts of the land deals are.

By making this information available, the Land Matrix hopes to enhance broad engagement and data exchange, facilitating the continuous improvement of the data. Find out how to get involved here .

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Header for Indonesia country profile
Indonesia country profile

This detailed country profile presents the Land Matrix data for large-scale land acquisitions in Indonesia.

Download it here.

Header for Philippines country profile
Philippines country profile

This detailed country profile presents the Land Matrix data for large-scale land acquisitions in the Philippines.

Download it here.

Header for Cambodia country profile
Cambodia country profile

This detailed country profile presents the Land Matrix data for large-scale land acquisitions in Cambodia.

Download it here.

News & publications

Header for Land deals increase income, but not well-being: The case of Lao PDR
Land deals increase income, but not well-being: The case of Lao PDR

Source: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern
Published: 2022

Much arable land in developing countries is inefficiently managed or lies fallow: Since this became the accepted, World Bank-endorsed narrative in 2008, it has shaped the agricultural policies of many developing countries. At the same time, it has …

Header for Realizing responsible investment in agriculture: What can policy-makers in Africa learn from Southeast Asia?
Realizing responsible investment in agriculture: What can policy-makers in Africa learn from Southeast Asia?

Author: Nyaguthii Maina
Published: 2022
Source: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

Globally, there has been positive momentum to develop and implement new national laws and international guidance frameworks to promote “responsible” investment in land and agriculture, but Africa still lags far behind other regions in responsible investment practice. Today, …

Header for Snapshot: Large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) in Asia
Snapshot: Large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) in Asia

Landlessness and lack of secure access to and tenure over land, water, and forest resources have been identified as one of the priority issues by many farmer organisations in Asia. As this continues to be a major problem for small-scale farmers, LSLAs have become a serious threat to their livelihoods. …