Substantial increases in agricultural investments in developing countries are needed to combat poverty and realize food security and nutrition goals. In order to acquire an in-depth understanding of potential benefits, constraints and costs of foreign investment in agriculture and of the business models that are more conducive to development, FAO has undertaken research in developing countries. This publication summarizes the results of this research, in particular through the presentation of case studies on policies to attract foreign investment in agriculture and their impacts on national economic development in selected countries in Africa, Asian and Latin America.