BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT – WHAT IS AGRICULTURE?

In Egypt the word for bread, ‘aish’, is the same as that for ‘life’.1 It is this metaphysical linkage which explains why investment in food is so emotive a subject and one that brings most strongly to the fore the complicated environmental, ethical and political issues related to so many commodities. This chapter addresses the demand and supply outlook for agriculture, the structure of the industry, ways to invest and the ethical issues that have to be carefully navigated in this sector.

What is included within the definition of agricultural commodities and what is not? Dairy, grains, livestock and oils are discussed as well as the food supply chain: land, farming, farming companies and distributors. ...

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