This paper applies the sequential Malmquist index to calculate multi lateral, multi-factor productivity (MFP) indices for agriculture in 16 regions of Bangladesh from 1964 to 1992 and examines convergence among regions. Productivity grew at an average rate of 2.2% per annum, led by regions with...

We simulate several alternative scenarios to access the impact of border liberalization on household food security in rural China. We find that most Chinese farmers derive most their income from sources other than grain marketing and buy a significant amount of staple grain. Opening the border...

OLS and 2SLS regressions and cross-sectional county data are used to examine the major determinants of poverty and income inequality in rural counties of West Virginia. The empirical findings confirm the possibility of simultaneity between poverty and income inequality. Poverty is the main...

Public transfers of food aid are intended largely to support vulnerable populations in times of stress. We use high frequency panel data among Ethiopian and Kenyan pastoralists to test the efficacy of food aid targeting under three different targeting modalities, food aid's responsiveness to...

Some hypothesize that poor consumers pay more for food because stores that serve them have higher costs. We assess how supermarket characteristics and operating costs differ with the percentage of sales from food stamp redemptions. Results do not support the hypothesis that costs are higher for...

Replaced with revised version of paper 07/14/04.