“African agriculture is in a phase of rapid
commercialisation. Planners and investors in
sub-Saharan Africa urgently need to consider
how the choice of business model, the local
context and the political environment affect
outcomes of commercial ventures. A review
of past experiences with three commercial
farming models reveals the conditions that
have provided the most stable environment
for investors but also protected the most
vulnerable in society and created the best
chance for technology transfer and local
economic linkages. These lessons from history
have contemporary relevance.”
