Who is Loro Horta?

Loro Horta....

the man behind the media hype of China's "invasion" in Mozambique.

Every one cites him and quotes him and refer to his research on China's large scale farming ambitions in Mozambique. Yet...I haven't been able to find a single shred of evidence that there is ANY Chinese farms existing or planned in Mozambique. The National directorate for land in Mozambique had not even heard of such requests.

Funny how words travel....

Deborah Brautigam a professor at the American University was in touch with Loro Horta (I myself cannot get a reply from him). Unfortunately Loro Horta could not share is sources with her as he "could not find them".

How unfortunate that he lost his sources.

Oh well...Chinese investments into overseas farming is really interesting. But being interesting doesn't mean something is actual fact. I wish it was true but so far I don't have ANY sources confirming it.

And now I hear Loro Horta is invited to attend a conference on food security in Maputo in April.

Really! I should be invited! Clearly I know more about this issue than he does and I actually DO research.

If only he could share his sources with me and let me judge whether or not I find them credible I might believe what he is saying. But for now, I will not trust the media or him.

Comments

[Lise]

But -- can you not contact the people responsible for the arrangement and ask him - or some of the influencial people you met in Maputo - to follow up the issue with him during his visit.