Tim Lang and John Ingram
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780197265536
- eISBN:
- 9780191760327
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197265536.003.0005
- Subject:
- Political Science, Environmental Politics
Tipping points and nudges are favoured metaphors of politicians seeking to make sense of complex topics. Food security is possibly the first major challenge for tipping points, combining the politics ...
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Tipping points and nudges are favoured metaphors of politicians seeking to make sense of complex topics. Food security is possibly the first major challenge for tipping points, combining the politics of population growth, diet, and the globalisation of food production and distribution with the limitations of soil, water, land use availability, and climate change. Food security begins with availability, access, and affordability, but quickly transforms into the economics and sociology of food production, transportation, consumption, and waste, along with diet and health. Ultimately food security is a microcosm of sustainable development, for it captures the paradox of surplus with the rigours of limits in a political and economic framework which cannot embrace either effectively, and which is leading to greater crises of food excess and famine in a world of growing inequality.Less
Tipping points and nudges are favoured metaphors of politicians seeking to make sense of complex topics. Food security is possibly the first major challenge for tipping points, combining the politics of population growth, diet, and the globalisation of food production and distribution with the limitations of soil, water, land use availability, and climate change. Food security begins with availability, access, and affordability, but quickly transforms into the economics and sociology of food production, transportation, consumption, and waste, along with diet and health. Ultimately food security is a microcosm of sustainable development, for it captures the paradox of surplus with the rigours of limits in a political and economic framework which cannot embrace either effectively, and which is leading to greater crises of food excess and famine in a world of growing inequality.
Jean Drèze and Amartya Sen
- Published in print:
- 1991
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198283652
- eISBN:
- 9780191596193
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198283652.003.0006
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Some of the deficiencies of direct delivery strategies as a means of preventing famines are noted before the part that markets can play in precipitating or relieving famine is explored. The ...
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Some of the deficiencies of direct delivery strategies as a means of preventing famines are noted before the part that markets can play in precipitating or relieving famine is explored. The relationship of food availability and prices to individual entitlements is studied. The argument then moves to the role of transactions, both interregional (private trade) and intertemporal (hoarding), on famine vulnerability and how the government could intervene in each case. The last part discusses the merits and limitations of cash support, and recommends its greater use.Less
Some of the deficiencies of direct delivery strategies as a means of preventing famines are noted before the part that markets can play in precipitating or relieving famine is explored. The relationship of food availability and prices to individual entitlements is studied. The argument then moves to the role of transactions, both interregional (private trade) and intertemporal (hoarding), on famine vulnerability and how the government could intervene in each case. The last part discusses the merits and limitations of cash support, and recommends its greater use.
Martin Ravallion
- Published in print:
- 1991
- Published Online:
- January 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198286363
- eISBN:
- 9780191718458
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198286363.003.0006
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Market responses can enhance or undermine anti-hunger policies, and an understanding of these responses can provide important clues for policy analysis and design. This chapter explores alternative ...
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Market responses can enhance or undermine anti-hunger policies, and an understanding of these responses can provide important clues for policy analysis and design. This chapter explores alternative anti-hunger policies. It considers major anti-hunger public policies for specific groups, investigates the ways in which markets may respond, and examines their various implications. It also sheds light on some less obvious elements of anti-hunger policies such as price stabilization policies, improvement of rural credit, etc. It is argued that the choice between compatible policies depends crucially on market responses.Less
Market responses can enhance or undermine anti-hunger policies, and an understanding of these responses can provide important clues for policy analysis and design. This chapter explores alternative anti-hunger policies. It considers major anti-hunger public policies for specific groups, investigates the ways in which markets may respond, and examines their various implications. It also sheds light on some less obvious elements of anti-hunger policies such as price stabilization policies, improvement of rural credit, etc. It is argued that the choice between compatible policies depends crucially on market responses.
Adrian Randall
- Published in print:
- 2006
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199259908
- eISBN:
- 9780191717444
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199259908.003.0005
- Subject:
- History, British and Irish Early Modern History, Social History
This chapter focuses on food riots in England from the Hanoverian accession up to the end of the 1770s. Eighteenth-century food riots were complex and multifaceted events that cannot easily be ...
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This chapter focuses on food riots in England from the Hanoverian accession up to the end of the 1770s. Eighteenth-century food riots were complex and multifaceted events that cannot easily be explained by simple models. What these riots shared was a common hostility evinced by the crowd towards those who used their economic power over the market in times of shortage to maximize their own profits at the expense of the local consumer. This was underpinned by a value system known as a moral economy, which was shared not only by the labouring poor, but by many of the middling sort and by most of the justices.Less
This chapter focuses on food riots in England from the Hanoverian accession up to the end of the 1770s. Eighteenth-century food riots were complex and multifaceted events that cannot easily be explained by simple models. What these riots shared was a common hostility evinced by the crowd towards those who used their economic power over the market in times of shortage to maximize their own profits at the expense of the local consumer. This was underpinned by a value system known as a moral economy, which was shared not only by the labouring poor, but by many of the middling sort and by most of the justices.
Jean Drèze and Amartya Sen
- Published in print:
- 1991
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198283652
- eISBN:
- 9780191596193
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198283652.003.0013
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Many of the arguments of the book are summarized, with a special emphasis on the role of public action (in a broad sense) to alleviate hunger. Early warning systems and employment provision plans are ...
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Many of the arguments of the book are summarized, with a special emphasis on the role of public action (in a broad sense) to alleviate hunger. Early warning systems and employment provision plans are mentioned for famine prevention. The authors suggest endemic deprivation can be eliminated by looking at basic health care and elementary education in addition to food provision. The last part draws on the influence of food price fluctuations and international cooperation and conflict for public action.Less
Many of the arguments of the book are summarized, with a special emphasis on the role of public action (in a broad sense) to alleviate hunger. Early warning systems and employment provision plans are mentioned for famine prevention. The authors suggest endemic deprivation can be eliminated by looking at basic health care and elementary education in addition to food provision. The last part draws on the influence of food price fluctuations and international cooperation and conflict for public action.
Vijay Joshi and I. M. D. Little
- Published in print:
- 1996
- Published Online:
- November 2003
- ISBN:
- 9780198290780
- eISBN:
- 9780191596506
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/0198290780.003.0006
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
The effect of industrial reform on the social sector is the main aspect of this chapter. It examines the different effects of reform on the level of poverty in India. The authors propose ways to ...
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The effect of industrial reform on the social sector is the main aspect of this chapter. It examines the different effects of reform on the level of poverty in India. The authors propose ways to reform the industrial sector and comment on the likely effects of these changes on poverty levels in the short and long terms. There is also a brief discussion on the education and health sector.Less
The effect of industrial reform on the social sector is the main aspect of this chapter. It examines the different effects of reform on the level of poverty in India. The authors propose ways to reform the industrial sector and comment on the likely effects of these changes on poverty levels in the short and long terms. There is also a brief discussion on the education and health sector.
Raghav Gaiha, Raghbendra Jha, and Vani S Kulkarni (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780198099215
- eISBN:
- 9780199084500
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198099215.001.0001
- Subject:
- Sociology, Health, Illness, and Medicine
What distinguishes this book from the current literature is its analysis of malnutrition and its meticulous exploration of dietary transition, poverty nutrition traps and links between multiple ...
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What distinguishes this book from the current literature is its analysis of malnutrition and its meticulous exploration of dietary transition, poverty nutrition traps and links between multiple anthropometric failures among children and their vulnerability to infectious diseases. It also explores the abysmal performance of the Public Distribution System and critiques its conversion into a universal food subsidy, investigates the links between affluence, obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and explores the health policy challenge of a ‘double burden of disease’: high communicable disease mortality and a growing burden of NCD mortality. It is puzzling that calorie intake has declined, despite rapid economic growth. An explanation is developed that encompasses the influences of food prices, growing affluence, urbanization, lifestyle changes and less strenuous activity levels. Dietary diversification had a role in lowering calorie intake. New light is shed on poverty nutrition traps that limit the ability of the undernourished to engage in productive and remunerative employment. Child malnutrition has remained stubbornly high. As simultaneous anthropometric failures among children (for example, wasting, stunting, and being underweight) are closely related to infectious diseases, a composite indicator of malnutrition, its variations and links to infectious diseases are analysed. Amelioration of child malnutrition through women’s empowerment is emphasised. As an epidemiological transition is underway—higher deaths from chronic degenerative non-communicable diseases (NCDs) than from communicable diseases—key contributory factors are aging, affluence, and being overweight/obese. Health policy choices are, however, confounded by the irreversibility of growing affluence, lifestyle changes and urbanization. Although controversial, a universal food subsidy was legislated recently as the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The critique rests on huge leakages that will magnify under NFSA and aggravate fiscal deficit without a drastic overhaul of the PDS. A distillation of lessons from policies pursued elsewhere and various initiatives in India is given. The vision that emerges is unavoidably incomplete in some respects, but illuminates successes and failures in designing and implementing policies.Less
What distinguishes this book from the current literature is its analysis of malnutrition and its meticulous exploration of dietary transition, poverty nutrition traps and links between multiple anthropometric failures among children and their vulnerability to infectious diseases. It also explores the abysmal performance of the Public Distribution System and critiques its conversion into a universal food subsidy, investigates the links between affluence, obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and explores the health policy challenge of a ‘double burden of disease’: high communicable disease mortality and a growing burden of NCD mortality. It is puzzling that calorie intake has declined, despite rapid economic growth. An explanation is developed that encompasses the influences of food prices, growing affluence, urbanization, lifestyle changes and less strenuous activity levels. Dietary diversification had a role in lowering calorie intake. New light is shed on poverty nutrition traps that limit the ability of the undernourished to engage in productive and remunerative employment. Child malnutrition has remained stubbornly high. As simultaneous anthropometric failures among children (for example, wasting, stunting, and being underweight) are closely related to infectious diseases, a composite indicator of malnutrition, its variations and links to infectious diseases are analysed. Amelioration of child malnutrition through women’s empowerment is emphasised. As an epidemiological transition is underway—higher deaths from chronic degenerative non-communicable diseases (NCDs) than from communicable diseases—key contributory factors are aging, affluence, and being overweight/obese. Health policy choices are, however, confounded by the irreversibility of growing affluence, lifestyle changes and urbanization. Although controversial, a universal food subsidy was legislated recently as the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The critique rests on huge leakages that will magnify under NFSA and aggravate fiscal deficit without a drastic overhaul of the PDS. A distillation of lessons from policies pursued elsewhere and various initiatives in India is given. The vision that emerges is unavoidably incomplete in some respects, but illuminates successes and failures in designing and implementing policies.
Per Pinstrup-Andersen (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- January 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198718574
- eISBN:
- 9780191788017
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198718574.001.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Food price volatility is one of the major challenges facing the global agricultural system today. This was most vividly illustrated during the global food crisis of 2007–9 when price spikes occurred ...
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Food price volatility is one of the major challenges facing the global agricultural system today. This was most vividly illustrated during the global food crisis of 2007–9 when price spikes occurred for key staple food commodities—such as wheat, rice, maize, and soybeans. Given the variety of reactions by governments of countries experiencing similar food price shocks, the 2007–9 crisis offered an excellent natural experiment for generating knowledge on responses to price volatility in particular and on the political economy of agricultural policy-making more generally. This book contains the wealth of collaborative research by a global team of experts on food price policy—the research was undertaken on a sizeable group of low- and middle-income countries that were highly affected by the 2007–9 food crisis. The central aim of the study is to uncover which political economy factors—ranging from the constellation of different interest groups to the nature of political institutions—explain variations in policy responses across countries. The research output proves valuable for at least three target audiences. First, it can inform international organizations and donors about which types of policy interventions can mitigate price volatility and whether they are feasible given a country’s political economy context. Second, it can help national policy makers better understand the trade-offs of certain policy interventions. Third, it generates much-needed further knowledge about the agricultural policy-making process in developing countries, which remains incredibly scarce despite the importance of agriculture to these countries’ economies.Less
Food price volatility is one of the major challenges facing the global agricultural system today. This was most vividly illustrated during the global food crisis of 2007–9 when price spikes occurred for key staple food commodities—such as wheat, rice, maize, and soybeans. Given the variety of reactions by governments of countries experiencing similar food price shocks, the 2007–9 crisis offered an excellent natural experiment for generating knowledge on responses to price volatility in particular and on the political economy of agricultural policy-making more generally. This book contains the wealth of collaborative research by a global team of experts on food price policy—the research was undertaken on a sizeable group of low- and middle-income countries that were highly affected by the 2007–9 food crisis. The central aim of the study is to uncover which political economy factors—ranging from the constellation of different interest groups to the nature of political institutions—explain variations in policy responses across countries. The research output proves valuable for at least three target audiences. First, it can inform international organizations and donors about which types of policy interventions can mitigate price volatility and whether they are feasible given a country’s political economy context. Second, it can help national policy makers better understand the trade-offs of certain policy interventions. Third, it generates much-needed further knowledge about the agricultural policy-making process in developing countries, which remains incredibly scarce despite the importance of agriculture to these countries’ economies.
Mark W. Rosegrant, Simla Tokgoz, and Prapti Bhandary
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199679362
- eISBN:
- 9780191758430
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199679362.003.0002
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Several food price spikes since 2007 have motivated researchers and policymakers to weigh the factors behind high food prices, their implications for long-term food security, and the connection ...
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Several food price spikes since 2007 have motivated researchers and policymakers to weigh the factors behind high food prices, their implications for long-term food security, and the connection between food prices and civil conflict. We examine global food system dynamics to 2025 through scenarios of alternative futures for food supply and demand using the International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPRI) International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT) global food model. We analyze scenarios with increased investment in agricultural research and/or reduced post-harvest losses. The results indicated that increased investments can significantly reduce projected food prices relative to the baseline, with resulting improved food consumption and reductions in the number of malnourished children. Large reductions in post-harvest food losses also contribute to lower food prices, higher food availability, and improved food security, although the impacts are not as positive as for increased agricultural research.Less
Several food price spikes since 2007 have motivated researchers and policymakers to weigh the factors behind high food prices, their implications for long-term food security, and the connection between food prices and civil conflict. We examine global food system dynamics to 2025 through scenarios of alternative futures for food supply and demand using the International Food Policy Research Institute’s (IFPRI) International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT) global food model. We analyze scenarios with increased investment in agricultural research and/or reduced post-harvest losses. The results indicated that increased investments can significantly reduce projected food prices relative to the baseline, with resulting improved food consumption and reductions in the number of malnourished children. Large reductions in post-harvest food losses also contribute to lower food prices, higher food availability, and improved food security, although the impacts are not as positive as for increased agricultural research.
Kavery Ganguly and Ashok Gulati
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- January 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198718574
- eISBN:
- 9780191788017
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198718574.003.0016
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
India did not experience food price spikes during 2007–8 when global prices erupted, partly due to a ban on exports of wheat and common rice. The fiscal stimulus in 2009 to avert economic recession, ...
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India did not experience food price spikes during 2007–8 when global prices erupted, partly due to a ban on exports of wheat and common rice. The fiscal stimulus in 2009 to avert economic recession, coupled with one of the worst droughts, led to rising food prices. The nature of food price inflation, however, changed from being cereals-led to high-value products (fruits and vegetables, and protein foods). While food inflation invited severe political protests, the situation did not escalate to any riots or violence. Government has been trying hard to cool down food prices by reining-in fiscal deficit, tightening monetary policy, releasing more grains from public stocks, and distributing subsidized grains through the public distribution system to targeted population. Yet it has not quite succeeded in containing a high level of food inflation, causing concern given the large number of people below the poverty line in India.Less
India did not experience food price spikes during 2007–8 when global prices erupted, partly due to a ban on exports of wheat and common rice. The fiscal stimulus in 2009 to avert economic recession, coupled with one of the worst droughts, led to rising food prices. The nature of food price inflation, however, changed from being cereals-led to high-value products (fruits and vegetables, and protein foods). While food inflation invited severe political protests, the situation did not escalate to any riots or violence. Government has been trying hard to cool down food prices by reining-in fiscal deficit, tightening monetary policy, releasing more grains from public stocks, and distributing subsidized grains through the public distribution system to targeted population. Yet it has not quite succeeded in containing a high level of food inflation, causing concern given the large number of people below the poverty line in India.
Nidhi Kaicker
Vani S. Kulkarni and Raghav Gaiha (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- November 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780198099215
- eISBN:
- 9780199084500
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198099215.003.0003
- Subject:
- Sociology, Health, Illness, and Medicine
A Food Diversity Index, analogous to the Herfindahl Index, is constructed to capture the shift away from a cereal dominated diet to one with more diversity. In the next stage, the effect of food ...
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A Food Diversity Index, analogous to the Herfindahl Index, is constructed to capture the shift away from a cereal dominated diet to one with more diversity. In the next stage, the effect of food diversity on calorie intake is analysed, allowing for the effects of various other contributory factors such as food prices, income, location and household characteristics. That diet diversity contributes to a lowering of calorie demand raises doubts about the presumption that diet diversity and quality go together.Less
A Food Diversity Index, analogous to the Herfindahl Index, is constructed to capture the shift away from a cereal dominated diet to one with more diversity. In the next stage, the effect of food diversity on calorie intake is analysed, allowing for the effects of various other contributory factors such as food prices, income, location and household characteristics. That diet diversity contributes to a lowering of calorie demand raises doubts about the presumption that diet diversity and quality go together.
Johann F. Kirsten
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- January 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198718574
- eISBN:
- 9780191788017
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198718574.003.0019
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This chapter analyses the food price trends in South Africa during two periods of rapid food price inflation that occurred in the decade 2000–10 and unpacks the political reaction and policy ...
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This chapter analyses the food price trends in South Africa during two periods of rapid food price inflation that occurred in the decade 2000–10 and unpacks the political reaction and policy responses to the food price crises. Based on a number of sources, the authors conclude that agricultural and food policy in South Africa remained largely unchanged with no controls or regulations introduced. The country has a substantive social welfare programme which has provided an important safety net during periods of high food prices. The South African government nevertheless implemented a set of ‘second class’ interventions that mostly target the poorer section of the population in an attempt to mitigate the negative effects of price changes and include elements such as food parcels, agricultural starter packs, and vegetable gardens.Less
This chapter analyses the food price trends in South Africa during two periods of rapid food price inflation that occurred in the decade 2000–10 and unpacks the political reaction and policy responses to the food price crises. Based on a number of sources, the authors conclude that agricultural and food policy in South Africa remained largely unchanged with no controls or regulations introduced. The country has a substantive social welfare programme which has provided an important safety net during periods of high food prices. The South African government nevertheless implemented a set of ‘second class’ interventions that mostly target the poorer section of the population in an attempt to mitigate the negative effects of price changes and include elements such as food parcels, agricultural starter packs, and vegetable gardens.
Per Pinstrup-Andersen
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- January 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198718574
- eISBN:
- 9780191788017
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198718574.003.0001
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
How do governments respond to abrupt food price changes and why do they respond as they do? Answers to these two questions are important to help us understand policy-making, to predict how policy ...
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How do governments respond to abrupt food price changes and why do they respond as they do? Answers to these two questions are important to help us understand policy-making, to predict how policy makers are likely to respond to future food price volatility and to support policy makers as they confront such volatility. Food price volatility since 2007 provides a natural experiment for the research. While much has been written about the nature, content and causes of food price fluctuations, little is known about the political processes that led to the policy responses and the relative power, behaviour, and influence of the participating stakeholder groups. Understanding how and why governments responded as they did will help enhance existing knowledge of the political economy of food price policy and assist governments in their policy-making in the future.Less
How do governments respond to abrupt food price changes and why do they respond as they do? Answers to these two questions are important to help us understand policy-making, to predict how policy makers are likely to respond to future food price volatility and to support policy makers as they confront such volatility. Food price volatility since 2007 provides a natural experiment for the research. While much has been written about the nature, content and causes of food price fluctuations, little is known about the political processes that led to the policy responses and the relative power, behaviour, and influence of the participating stakeholder groups. Understanding how and why governments responded as they did will help enhance existing knowledge of the political economy of food price policy and assist governments in their policy-making in the future.
Assefa Admassie
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- January 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198718574
- eISBN:
- 9780191788017
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198718574.003.0006
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Food prices increased significantly in 2007–8 in Ethiopia due to several supply- and demand-side factors. The Ethiopian government released emergency food grain reserves, imported and distributed ...
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Food prices increased significantly in 2007–8 in Ethiopia due to several supply- and demand-side factors. The Ethiopian government released emergency food grain reserves, imported and distributed wheat at subsidized price, banned the export of staple cereals, and removed value added and turnover taxes on food items. It also increased the reserve requirement of commercial banks and reduced domestic borrowing by public enterprises. These measures were mostly initiated by the government and the role of interest groups as well as local and international actors has been limited. These measures were taken to prevent potential social unrest and maintain macro-economic stability. A combination of factors including export bans, structural and cyclical factors, and developments in international markets have been cited as the main causes of the price increase.Less
Food prices increased significantly in 2007–8 in Ethiopia due to several supply- and demand-side factors. The Ethiopian government released emergency food grain reserves, imported and distributed wheat at subsidized price, banned the export of staple cereals, and removed value added and turnover taxes on food items. It also increased the reserve requirement of commercial banks and reduced domestic borrowing by public enterprises. These measures were mostly initiated by the government and the role of interest groups as well as local and international actors has been limited. These measures were taken to prevent potential social unrest and maintain macro-economic stability. A combination of factors including export bans, structural and cyclical factors, and developments in international markets have been cited as the main causes of the price increase.
Jonathan Makau Nzuma
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- January 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198718574
- eISBN:
- 9780191788017
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198718574.003.0009
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
This chapter evaluates Kenya’s food price crisis over 2002–11 using a political economy approach. Kenya’s food prices have been high and volatile relative to world food prices. Moreover, domestic ...
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This chapter evaluates Kenya’s food price crisis over 2002–11 using a political economy approach. Kenya’s food prices have been high and volatile relative to world food prices. Moreover, domestic food markets are highly integrated while about 30 per cent of the changes in world market prices are transmitted to domestic markets in Kenya. The study finds a relatively slow speed of adjustment of domestic food prices in Kenya of between three to five months. In response, the government implemented both supply-side and demand-side policies. However, the implementation of these policies has not been fully institutionalized and relies on the most part on the executive. These findings lend credence to calls to institutionalize the policy-making process in Kenya.Less
This chapter evaluates Kenya’s food price crisis over 2002–11 using a political economy approach. Kenya’s food prices have been high and volatile relative to world food prices. Moreover, domestic food markets are highly integrated while about 30 per cent of the changes in world market prices are transmitted to domestic markets in Kenya. The study finds a relatively slow speed of adjustment of domestic food prices in Kenya of between three to five months. In response, the government implemented both supply-side and demand-side policies. However, the implementation of these policies has not been fully institutionalized and relies on the most part on the executive. These findings lend credence to calls to institutionalize the policy-making process in Kenya.
Julian M. Alston, William J. Martin, and Philip G. Pardey
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780226128924
- eISBN:
- 9780226129082
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226129082.003.0002
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Technological change in agriculture affects the variability of food prices both by changing the sensitivity of aggregate farm supply to external shocks and by changing the sensitivity of prices to ...
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Technological change in agriculture affects the variability of food prices both by changing the sensitivity of aggregate farm supply to external shocks and by changing the sensitivity of prices to supply or demand shocks. At the same time, by increasing the general abundance of food and reducing the share of income spent on food, agricultural innovation has made a given extent of price variability less important. This chapter explores these different dimensions of the role of agricultural technology in contributing to or mitigating the consequences of variability in agricultural production, both in the past and looking forward. A conceptual overview is provided of the mechanisms whereby agricultural innovation can change the extent of price variability and its implications. A review of patterns of production, yields, and prices for the major cereal grains over the period since World War II indicates that technological change has contributed significantly to growth of yields and production and to reducing real prices, but has probably not contributed to increased price variability. An illustrative analysis using simulations of the global economy to 2030 shows that technical change reduces the importance of variability for the poor—especially by reducing the number of poor.Less
Technological change in agriculture affects the variability of food prices both by changing the sensitivity of aggregate farm supply to external shocks and by changing the sensitivity of prices to supply or demand shocks. At the same time, by increasing the general abundance of food and reducing the share of income spent on food, agricultural innovation has made a given extent of price variability less important. This chapter explores these different dimensions of the role of agricultural technology in contributing to or mitigating the consequences of variability in agricultural production, both in the past and looking forward. A conceptual overview is provided of the mechanisms whereby agricultural innovation can change the extent of price variability and its implications. A review of patterns of production, yields, and prices for the major cereal grains over the period since World War II indicates that technological change has contributed significantly to growth of yields and production and to reducing real prices, but has probably not contributed to increased price variability. An illustrative analysis using simulations of the global economy to 2030 shows that technical change reduces the importance of variability for the poor—especially by reducing the number of poor.
Jayati Ghosh
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- November 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780231157643
- eISBN:
- 9780231527279
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Columbia University Press
- DOI:
- 10.7312/columbia/9780231157643.003.0004
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Financial Economics
This chapter examines the link between the global food crisis and the financial crisis. More specifically, it considers the dramatic increase in world food prices in 2007–2008, attributing it mainly ...
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This chapter examines the link between the global food crisis and the financial crisis. More specifically, it considers the dramatic increase in world food prices in 2007–2008, attributing it mainly to greater speculative activity in global commodity markets in response to earlier financial deregulation and the flight of capital from Wall Street following the bursting of the housing bubble with the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the United States. Despite the subsequent drop in agricultural prices, food prices remained higher than before 2007, and continued to be volatile in many developing countries. The chapter discusses two policy factors affecting global food supply: bio-fuels and the policy neglect of agriculture over the past two decades. It explains how the financial crisis has worsened food insecurity by constraining public investment in agriculture, limiting food imports in developing countries constrained by balance of payments.Less
This chapter examines the link between the global food crisis and the financial crisis. More specifically, it considers the dramatic increase in world food prices in 2007–2008, attributing it mainly to greater speculative activity in global commodity markets in response to earlier financial deregulation and the flight of capital from Wall Street following the bursting of the housing bubble with the sub-prime mortgage crisis in the United States. Despite the subsequent drop in agricultural prices, food prices remained higher than before 2007, and continued to be volatile in many developing countries. The chapter discusses two policy factors affecting global food supply: bio-fuels and the policy neglect of agriculture over the past two decades. It explains how the financial crisis has worsened food insecurity by constraining public investment in agriculture, limiting food imports in developing countries constrained by balance of payments.
Johan Swinnen, Louise Knops, and Kristine van Herck
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- January 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198718574
- eISBN:
- 9780191788017
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198718574.003.0021
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
Changes in global food prices have affected EU producers and consumers and have triggered policy reactions through the EU’s political process. In particular, the EU and member states responded by ...
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Changes in global food prices have affected EU producers and consumers and have triggered policy reactions through the EU’s political process. In particular, the EU and member states responded by social policies to protect their consumers, attempts to regulate ‘speculation’ on agricultural commodities, revisions of sustainability requirements for biofuels, international development and food aid, and changes in the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). With the exception of biofuel regulations, policy changes have been relatively limited and the effects on global food markets minor. The reasons are that the impact of global price volatility on EU consumers has been limited and the link between the CAP and the world market is much smaller than it was twenty years ago.Less
Changes in global food prices have affected EU producers and consumers and have triggered policy reactions through the EU’s political process. In particular, the EU and member states responded by social policies to protect their consumers, attempts to regulate ‘speculation’ on agricultural commodities, revisions of sustainability requirements for biofuels, international development and food aid, and changes in the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). With the exception of biofuel regulations, policy changes have been relatively limited and the effects on global food markets minor. The reasons are that the impact of global price volatility on EU consumers has been limited and the link between the CAP and the world market is much smaller than it was twenty years ago.
Kym Anderson
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199679362
- eISBN:
- 9780191758430
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199679362.003.0010
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
With the growing demand for food in emerging economies, and for biofuels, many governments are re-examining their strategies for dealing with long-term food security. In the past, governmental ...
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With the growing demand for food in emerging economies, and for biofuels, many governments are re-examining their strategies for dealing with long-term food security. In the past, governmental responses to concerns with both the long-run trend level of food prices and their short-run fluctuations have not always been the most appropriate. In particular, trade-restricting food policies rather than more-efficient domestic measures are commonly employed, and by both high-income and developing countries. This chapter examines how such trade policies have contributed to the amplification of international food price fluctuations. They have done little to advance national food security while collectively imperiling global food security and thus fostering rather than relieving tensions that foment social unrest. The chapter concludes by examining how unilateral actions or multilateral trade arrangements over the coming decade could help advance global food security without risking sociopolitical unrest.Less
With the growing demand for food in emerging economies, and for biofuels, many governments are re-examining their strategies for dealing with long-term food security. In the past, governmental responses to concerns with both the long-run trend level of food prices and their short-run fluctuations have not always been the most appropriate. In particular, trade-restricting food policies rather than more-efficient domestic measures are commonly employed, and by both high-income and developing countries. This chapter examines how such trade policies have contributed to the amplification of international food price fluctuations. They have done little to advance national food security while collectively imperiling global food security and thus fostering rather than relieving tensions that foment social unrest. The chapter concludes by examining how unilateral actions or multilateral trade arrangements over the coming decade could help advance global food security without risking sociopolitical unrest.
Derrill D. Watson II
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- January 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780198718574
- eISBN:
- 9780191788017
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198718574.003.0005
- Subject:
- Economics and Finance, Development, Growth, and Environmental
The food price crisis revealed contradictions in creating food policy. Much of the common policy response can be explained by a benevolent, unitary government. To understand the variance between ...
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The food price crisis revealed contradictions in creating food policy. Much of the common policy response can be explained by a benevolent, unitary government. To understand the variance between countries, however, requires understanding fractured government decision-making, path dependency, and institutional constraints. Governments’ relationships with the private sector are very complex. They reveal both the firms’ lobbying successes as well as how the deep distrust between private and public sectors lead to perverse policy incentives and unintended consequences that undermine intended outcomes. Decision makers’ private interests and riot prevention played significant roles in selected cases, but were not leading factors overall. Understanding why governments prefer one policy set to another may improve policy analysts’ ability to encourage pro-poor policies which are more likely to be enacted, or to adapt policies which are more palatable to policy elites.Less
The food price crisis revealed contradictions in creating food policy. Much of the common policy response can be explained by a benevolent, unitary government. To understand the variance between countries, however, requires understanding fractured government decision-making, path dependency, and institutional constraints. Governments’ relationships with the private sector are very complex. They reveal both the firms’ lobbying successes as well as how the deep distrust between private and public sectors lead to perverse policy incentives and unintended consequences that undermine intended outcomes. Decision makers’ private interests and riot prevention played significant roles in selected cases, but were not leading factors overall. Understanding why governments prefer one policy set to another may improve policy analysts’ ability to encourage pro-poor policies which are more likely to be enacted, or to adapt policies which are more palatable to policy elites.
