Analyzing the Relationship between Agricultural FDI and Food Security: Evidence from Belt and Road Countries

Abstract

This study analyzes the relationship between agricultural foreign direct investment (FDI) and food security on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries in a panel framework over the period 2006–2015 using correlation analysis, the specific-effect model, and the 2SLS technique. The study aims to: first, analyze the correlation between agricultural FDI and food security for each country, individually; then, investigate whether there is a direct relationship, using the specific-effect model. Finally, by taking one step further, this study uses the 2SLS method to determine whether there is an indirect relationship through agricultural productivity. Our results show that the sampled countries have clear differences in the direction of the relationship between food security and agricultural FDI. But, in general, the agricultural FDI has a positive direct and indirect effect on food security; this effect is seen clearly when the country attracts agricultural FDIs steadily.