Theory and practice in plantation agriculture

What contribution does plantation agriculture make to Third World Economic development? In this new study the authors review the theory and practice of plantation agriculture, comparing it with alternative smallholder production. Beginning with an outline of the history of plantation agriculture, the authors review various theoretical perspectives on plantations and development. They identify the countries with a significant estate sub-sector and consider changes in the balance between estate and smallholder sectors, and foreign and local plantation ownership.

The authors assess the relative efficiency of plantation and smallholder agriculture, evaluate different forms of plantation management, and look at the regional and environmental impact, and policitcal and policy issues.