Seeds of A Revolution » Defining The Disruptive Geopolitics Of The Global Farms Race

Montana Bans Foreign Adversaries From Buying Farmland
May 4th, 2023

Via Montana State Government, an announcement of a new rule prohibiting countries like China and Russia from buying farmland: Governor Greg Gianforte today prohibited the sale or lease of Montana ag land, critical infrastructure, and homes near military assets by Montana entities to foreign adversaries. “Montana will not stand idly by as foreign adversaries buy[…]

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How Brazil Out Farmed The American Farmer
April 28th, 2023

Via Gateway to South America, commentary on Brazil’s ascension to the global soyabean lead: After a half-century of dominance, the U.S. is losing its edge in agriculture to a booming, high-tech Latin American powerhouse. Its secret weapon? Soyabeans. A big swath of soya-producing lands that stretch between the Andes and the Atlantic forest and from[…]

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Grain Trade Turbulence
April 27th, 2023

Courtesy of Geopolitical Futures, a look at how Ukraine’s exports are dividing the West and strengthening Russia’s hand: The grain trade is in trouble again. The United Nations is trying to preserve the international agreement, set to expire May 18, that enables the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports, but Russia has signaled[…]

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China’s Farmland Is in Serious Trouble
April 21st, 2023

Via Foreign Policy, a report on Chinese farmland and a threat from within: Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan offered his “lesson number one about America” in his farewell address to the nation: “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” The same is true in China. One of the first steps of the[…]

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Assets to Axes: How Harvard’s Land Investments Inspired Fear in Brazil’s Cerrado
April 18th, 2023

Via Harvard Crimson, a detailed look at how Harvard’s former landholdings – many of which remain concealed behind a complex web of private equity firms, associated subsidiary companies and investment partners – contributed to a climate of anxiety, fear, and strain on Brazilian subsistence farmers: One morning in 2015, Ariomara “Mara” Alves Pessoa woke up[…]

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Korean Interest In Uzbek Agriculture
April 18th, 2023

Via FarmlandGrab, a report on Korean interest in Uzbek agricultural land: Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan Umid Mamadaminov met with the leadership of the cotton and textile cluster, created on the basis of investments from the Korean corporation POSCO International. During the meeting, company representatives presented plans to expand activities in[…]

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About This Blog And Its Author

Seeds Of A Revolution is committed to defining the disruptive geopolitics of the global Farms Race. Due to the convergence of a growing world population, increased water scarcity, and a decrease in arable land & nutrient-rich soil, a spike of international investment interest in agricultural is inevitable and apt to bring a heretofore domestic industry into a truly global realm. Whether this transition involves global land leases or acquisitions, the fundamental need for food & the protectionist feelings this need can give rise to is highly likely to cause such transactions to move quickly into the geopolitical realm. It is this disruptive change, and the potential for a global farms race, that Seeds Of A Revolution tracks, analyzes, and forecasts.

Educated at Yale University (Bachelor of Arts - History) and Harvard (Master in Public Policy - International Development), Monty Simus has long held a keen interest in natural resource policy and the geopolitical implications of anticipated stresses in the areas of freshwater scarcity, biodiversity reserves & parks, and farm land. Monty has lived, worked, and traveled in more than forty countries spanning Africa, China, western Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Southeast & Central Asia, and his personal interests comprise economic development, policy, investment, technology, natural resources, and the environment, with a particular focus on globalization’s impact upon these subject areas. Monty writes about freshwater scarcity issues at www.waterpolitics.com and frontier investment markets at www.wildcatsandblacksheep.com.

The content contained in this blog represents the opinions of the author only (except when other individuals or sources are directly quoted, of course). The author’s opinions are not a recommendation to buy or sell any security or pursue a specific investment opportunity. This commentary is merely a personal analysis to foster discussion for informational purposes only. At any time, the author may hold either long or short positions in securities of various companies discussed in the blog. This commentary in no way constitutes a solicitation of business or investment advice. It is intended solely for the entertainment of the reader and the author, and should be taken in any way as representing the views of my employers or business associates, past, present, or future.