This chapter traces the evolution of the agricultural economics literature on agrifood output markets over the past 50 years, emphasizing research approaches and policy issues. The analysis of agrifood systems encompasses the demand and supply side of output markets. The analysis in this chapter...

The World Development Report 2008 was a call for better use to be made of agriculture for development. The urgency of the call has been enhanced by the food crisis. Will governments and international development agencies hear the call and stop turning their backs on agriculture? What will it...

This comment to the article by de Janvry and Sadoulet focuses on the actions needed to make agricultural systems more environmentally sustainable. The Author highlights three global trends that will drive the relationship between agriculture and the environment in the coming decades: the climate...

This comment to the article by de Janvry and Sadoulet highlights the prospects for developing and least developed countries in world food markets. The Author puts the recent agricultural price developments in perspective and suggests what trade policies ought to be implemented to enhance...

This comment to the article by de Janvry and Sadoulet deals with scientific and technological development in agriculture. The Author makes suggestions in two major areas: a) the extent and continuing relevance of dualism in developing countries; b) the uneven distribution of power conditioning...