Why is Bill Gates buying up so much farmland?
John Johnson
Updated on March 13, 2026
When asked during a discussion on Reddit why he’s buying up so much farmland, Gates said it wasn’t connected to climate change, adding that seed science and biofuel development were the major drivers of the acquisitions. “The agriculture sector is important.
What does Bill Gates grow on his farmland?
Data gathered by The Land Report and NBC News show that their land holdings range from 70,000 acres in north Louisiana, where their farmland grows soybeans, corn, cotton and rice, to 20,000 acres in Nebraska, where farmers grow soybeans. They bought and later sold an additional 6,000 acres in Georgia, NBC News found.
Is Bill Gates the largest owner of farmland?
The Microsoft cofounder and philanthropist Bill Gates owns 242,000 acres of farmland in the US, making him the largest private-farmland owner, an analysis by The Land Report found in January.
Who owns the most farmland in the world?
1. Roman Catholic Church: 70 million hectares. The largest landowner in the world is not a major oil magnate or a real estate investor.
Is it feasible to buy or sell farmland?
With yields increasing year after year, fertile farmlands soon pay for themselves with positive returns on investments. However, in our current farm economy many farmers ask how it can be feasible to purchase or sell their land.
What should I do if I want to sell my farm?
If it’s possible, keep farming while you’re trying to make the sale. Your farm will appeal far more to buyers if there are crops or animals in the field. When buyers come to your farm, you need to try to sell them ‘the dream’. Carry out any general maintenance you have let fall by the weigh side in recent years.
Can a farmer bring land to the market?
Unfortunately, in this situation, the options for bringing land to the market aren’t ideal. For high-quality farms, a public auction has been a great way to get maximum exposure and prices for land. However, for farmers looking to recapitalize their balance sheets, a public auction isn’t exactly the message they want to send to the community.
Can you sell your farm in South Africa?
Due to this, there are many farmers that have decided to take advantage of selling their farm. The market of farms for sale in South Africa has become quite competitive and so it is extremely important that you plan carefully for the sale of your farm. If it’s possible, keep farming while you’re trying to make the sale.