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The State of Food and Agriculture, 1996

Food security: some macroeconomic dimensions

Year of publication 1996

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 330

Author Agriculture and Economic Development Analysis Division

Product type Book (series)

Category Flagship

ISBN 92510385

Series title The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA)

Series number 00814539

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Causes for concern must be underlined in the light of some of the recent trends and developments highlighted in this publication. These include the declining trend in international development assistance, flows of aid to agriculture and food aid availability. Whatever the political, market or financial forces behind such trends, they have deleterious immediate consequences for many poor countries. Another cause for concern has been the increasing evidence of economic hardship suffered in p articular by the poorest segments of the population in many countries committed to macroeconomic stabilization and market-oriented reform. The potential for generalized welfare gain offered by market liberalization is by now universally recognized. However, we have often argued, and must repeat here in the light of the recent experience of many countries, that support to the poor segments of the population must not be allowed to fail, nor must the interests of the poor be neglected, on principle s of market logic and economic efficiency. Examples exist to prove that policy emphasis on equity and human development, basic prerequisites for food security, can coexist with pressing financial problems and harsh economic realities. One such example, that of Burkina Faso, is discussed in this publication. Within the wide spectrum of factors affecting food security, those relating to macroeconomic and trade management play a prominent role. These are addressed in the special chapter of th is publication, Food security: some macroeconomic dimensions, which discusses the critical role of governments in choosing the appropriate combinations of monetary, fiscal, trade, investment and social policies to create an economic environment that is conducive to the attainment of food security.

Language English

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