Did you realize that Microsoft organizer and philanthropist Bill Gates is the largest private farmland proprietor in the US? As of late, NBC News detailed that Bill Gates along with his estranged spouse Melinda Gates had acquired in excess of 269,000 acres of farm in the United States in the past 10 years.

According to the report, the Gates have their own land in at least 18 American states.

In Washington, the pair claims in excess of 14,000 acres of farmland that incorporates potato fields so massive that they are noticeable from space and some of which are prepared into french fries for McDonald’s. Apart from potatoes, carrots and onions are also filled in large quantities for supermarkets in his farm.

The Gates couple is presently during the time spent getting a separation. In this, their property will also be partitioned.

According to the Land report and NBC report, their land possessions range from 70,000 acres in north Louisiana, where their farmland develops soybeans, corn, cotton and rice, to 20,000 acres in Nebraska, where farmers develop soybeans. Additionally, they have 6000 acres in Georgia.

It is unclear why Gates has put so heavily in farmland.

Whenever Gates was asked about his farmland purchases on Reddit. To which he answered, “My speculation bunch decided. It isn’t associated with climate. The agriculture area is important. With more useful seeds we can avoid deforestation and help Africa deal with the climate trouble they already face. It is unclear how cheap biofuels can be yet in the event that they are cheap it can tackle the aviation and truck emanations.”

Pundits of Bill Gates argue that he holds an excess of control over food and agriculture, and is keen on improving himself rather than aiding the planet.

There are worries that the purchase of land by corporations and billionaires accelerate the industrialisation of agriculture, denying smallholders and family farmers of the chance to make a living from land that they may have longstanding associations with.

On the personal front, Bill and Melinda Gates on May 4 announced their separation after remaining married for 27 years.