This paper provides an assessment of the agricultural diversification trends in South Asia. In the first part food consumption and crop production patterns in the region during the last twenty years are reviewed. Next, the agronomic and economic options for and constraints to diversification in...

The purpose of the present Conceptual Framework document, developed in the context of FAO’s “Initiative to Review and Update National Agricultural, Rural Development and Food Security Strategies and Policies”, is to propose a flexible general approach to addressing food security through...

El acusado aumento de los precios de los alimentos en el periodo 2006-2008 desató el temor de una inseguridad alimentaria generalizada a nivel mundial. Además de los cambios acaecidos en la oferta y la demanda de algunos productos básicos, la tendencia alcista también ha podido verse...

The drastic increase of food prices in the period 2006-2008 spurred fears of global food insecurity. Apart from actual changes in supply and demand of some commodities, the upward swing might also have been amplified by speculation in organized futures markets. However, limiting or banning...

L'augmentation drastique des prix des denrées alimentaires sur la période 2006-2008 a suscité des craintes concernant l'insécurité alimentaire mondiale. Outre les changements réels de l'offre et la demande de certains produits de base, la tendance à la hausse pourrait aussi avoir été...

The full benefits of agricultural biotechnology will only be realized if consumers and food manufacturers consider it safe and beneficial. Although few internationally comparable public opinion surveys have been conducted on this issue, the available evidence suggests that public attitudes...

This paper analyzes the impact of participation in multi-stakeholder platforms (Plataformas) aimed at linking smallholder potato farmers to the market in the mountain region of Ecuador. It describes and evaluates the Plataformas’ program to determine whether it has been successful in linking...

How much did speculation affect the formation of rice prices during the rapid escalation of prices in world markets late in 2007 and early in 2008, through what mechanisms, what will happen as these influences unwind, and how is the story for rice different from other commodities? To answer...

Les achats de terres agricoles par des étrangers, en Afrique et ailleurs, sont devenus un motif d’inquiétude. De nombreux observateurs considèrent qu’ils équivalent à une forme moderne de colonialisme et qu’ils menacent la sécurité alimentaire des populations pauvres. Cependant, les...