It has emerged that the fourth richest person Bill Gates has been purchasing so much land in American that he is now the top owner of private farmland in the US. Gates is a controversial figure who has not previously been known for his love of the outdoors now owns 242,000 acres of farmland right across America.

Reports have for many years been citing that he has been purchasing agricultural land in places such as Florida and Washington. Gates’ family have a net worth of nearly $121 billion according to Forbes and UNN’s Oliver Down now understands that he has a farmland portfolio in 18 states. His portfolio has land in Louisiana (69,071 acres), Arkansas (47,927 acres) and Nebraska (20,588 acres), amongst other states. 

Many will not be surprised that a billionaire would also be the biggest farmland owner in his homeland. However, this is not Gates’ only move into agriculture. In 2008, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced $306 million in grants to promote high-yield, sustainable agriculture among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Some have criticised the foundation for not using enough land for conservation. 

Many will be concerned that, during a worldwide pandemic Gates has been able to continue adding to his personal wealth and land portfolio at such a speed. It is also being reported that Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos is investing in land on a large scale and UNN’s Oliver Down will bring you more as we get it. 

Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!

This content was sourced from Unity News Network.