Abstract:
The global surge in investor interest in agricultural land and water resources has been
propelled by the aftermath of the 2008 food crisis, giving rise to the "land grab" perception.
Consequently, private investments, particularly in agriculture, have increased, impacting local
communities. Amid this trend, concerns have arisen over the potential negative repercussions
of extensive land acquisitions, necessitating an understanding of communities' perceptions
regarding foreign agricultural investments. This study examined community awareness of the
current investor, attitudes towards their activities, expectations, and the execution of corporate
social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Employing a case study design, four villages
neighbouring Silverland Tanzania Limited (STL), namely Ihemi, Ifunda, Bandabichi, and
Muwimbi, were strategically chosen. Data collection involved 99 community members through
questionnaires, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and insights from key informants.
Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, encompassing frequencies and
percentages, while qualitative data underwent content analysis. The findings revealed an
informed community familiar with the investor and their operations. Notably, the community
held unfavourable perceptions of STL's activities, highlighting unmet expectations. The study
also underscored the community's scepticism toward STL's CSR initiatives. Due to their limited
involvement, community members harboured opposing viewpoints toward foreign agricultural
investments. The study recommends proactive engagement by the central government to
encourage increased community participation in decisions related to foreign agricultural
investments. Additionally, STL should recognize that successful foreign investments hinge on a
mutually beneficial relationship with the host community, necessitating improved technical
knowledge, fair compensation, employee training, and engagement with out-grower farmers.
