Economics of Agricultural Development: World Food Systems and Resource Use

Economics of Agricultural Development examines the causes, severity, and effects of poverty, population growth, and malnutrition in developing countries. It discusses potential solutions to these problems, progress made in many countries in recent years, and the implications of globalization for agriculture, poverty, and the environment.

Topics covered in the book include:

• Means for utilizing agricultural surpluses to further overall economic development

• The sustainability of the natural resource environment

• Gender issues in relation to agriculture and resource use

• The contribution of agricultural technologies

• The importance of agricultural and macroeconomic policies as related to development and trade, and the successes and failures of such policies

• Actions to encourage more rapid agricultural and economic development

The globalization of trade in goods, services, and capital has been fundamental to changes being experienced in the agricultural and rural sectors of developing countries. It has major implications for the fight against poverty and food insecurity and for environmental sustainability. Recently, agriculture has returned to a position of center stage in the development dialog as food price volatility has increased along with water scarcity, and concerns grow over the effects of climate change on food supply and food security.

This new edition of the essential textbook in the field builds on the 2010 edition and reflects the following developments:

• Growth in foreign demand for land and other natural resources

• Significant progress in agricultural and economic development in some low-income countries while others are being left behind

• Continued growth in demand for higher-valued farm products

This book is essential reading for undergraduate students seeking to understand the economics of agricultural development and the world food system, including environmental and human consequences, international trade, and capital flows.

George W. Norton is Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA.

Jeffrey Alwang is Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, USA.

William Masters is Professor of Food and Nutrition Policy at Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA.