History teaches us that the agricultural transformation process is a necessary step towards better living conditions in all societies. A rising productivity in agriculture allows for increasing incomes within agriculture simultaneously as more resources can be devoted to other sectors. Within the field of economic history one of the overriding debates during the last decade has been whether long term economic change is primarily driven by institutional change or changes in factor endowments. This book uses a global history approach to better understand the agricultural transformation process, using a wide number of comparisons over time and space.

History teaches us that agricultural growth and development is necessary for achieving overall better living conditions in all societies. Although this process may seem homogenous when looked at from the outside, it is full of diversity within. This book captures this diversity by presenting eleven independent case studies ranging over time and space. By comparing outcomes, attempts are made to draw general conclusion and lessons about the agricultural transformation process.