According to one study, AGRA actually made things worse for farmers in Africa. AGRA gave loans to farmers so they could buy fertilizer, but the farmers could not pay back the loans. AGRA also told people to grow corn (maize), which meant fewer farmers grew traditional African crops. The African crops were stronger against times with less rain than usual. AGRA also asked African governments to pass laws that made things easier for corporations and seed producers, which were bad for small farmers.