US investors plough cash into farmland

The American author Mark Twain said, "Buy land, they're not making it anymore".
More than a century after his famous quote, an increasing number of investors in the United States seem to be following his advice.

Investment managers in the US report rising interest from pension schemes and retail investors in funds that buy and run farmland in developed countries.

Investors are looking for a better rate of return than that available from bank accounts, bonds and an uncertain stock market.

"People have seen that the farmland asset class has performed very well, especially during the 2008 volatile period," says Jeff Conrad, chief executive of Hancock Agricultural Investment Group, based in Boston in the US.

"There's just more interest from institutions to buy farmland and add it to their portfolio.  Continue article >>

Source:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11468402