Agriculture is at a crossroads in Africa...with decisions taken by governments on a spate of investments in the sector having potentially serious repercussions on millions of lives for decades to come...Nedbank Capital head of Africa business Zhann Meyer referred to a number of recent acquisitions in the sector, concluding that "the livelihoods, ways of life and culture of millions of Africans are at risk...Large commercial farming corporates will control large tracts of land, labour and agricultural policies. Banks, governments and development finance institutions have collective responsibility to ensure that policy and legislation is angled towards inclusive sustainable development (that benefits local people)...It would not be right if food is simply exported to countries that cannot grow their own crops before the needs of local people are met."...Investors such as multinational seed giant DuPont Pioneer...have always maintained that...the process would create opportunities in related sectors... [refers to Grindrod, AgriGroupe, Phatisa, Farming & Engineering Services]