This paper from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) looks at the process and impact of globalisation on agriculture. It attempts to set these issues in an historical context, to highlight the main issues that need to be addressed, and to list important questions that need to be asked of policy makers throughout the agricultural industry. The authors argue that East and Central African countries have not appreciated the scale and implications of the changes brought about by globalisation and that, without urgent action on their part, they may seriously weaken their economies in the years ahead.