Persistent problems with poverty, rapid population growth and malnutrition in many developing countries are among the most serious issues facing the world today. This book examines the causes, severity and effects of these problems, as well as potential solutions. The authors consider the implications of globalization of goods, services and capital for agriculture, poverty and the environment; and identify linkages in the world food system, stressing how agricultural and economic situations in poor countries affect industrialized nations and vice versa. Focusing on the role that agriculture can play in improving economic and nutritional wellbeing and how that role might be enhanced, this book is essential reading.

This book showcases the power of economic principles to explain and predict issues and current events in the food, agricultural, agribusiness, international trade, natural resources and other sectors. The result is an agricultural economics textbook that provides students and instructors with a clear, up-to-date, and straightforward approach to learning how a market-based economy functions, and how to use simple economic principles for improved decision making. While the primary focus of the book is on microeconomic aspects, agricultural economics has expanded over recent decades to include issues of macroeconomics, international trade, agribusiness, environmental economics, natural resources, and international development. Hence, these topics are also provided with significant coverage.

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.

Economics of the Food System provides a comprehensive overview of the food system, beginning with the physical and geographical context of United States agriculture. Concepts and tools of applied economics are then used to analyze the structure and economic characteristics of each component of the food system. Over the course of the text, students learn about agricultural supply, demand, and prices, market elasticities and derived demand, food processing, wholesaling, retailing and food service, and the international food market. They also study the role of transportation, the law of one price, risk management, storage, and emerging issues and challenges for the food system. Throughout the text, the focus is on how markets function to ensure that people have the food they want to eat, when and where they want to eat it. As they read, students will have constant opportunities to consider the key forces that shape the food system's ongoing evolution. With its comprehensive coverage of all aspects of food system economics and its attention to practical economic applications, Economics of the Food System is ideal for courses in agricultural economics or agribusiness Biographies David Blandford, who holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Manchester, is a professor emeritus of agricultural and environmental economics at Pennsylvania State University. His teaching and research interests include agricultural and food policy, and international trade. Alan Webb holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University and served 14 years as trade economist with USDA before joining Winrock International as a consultant on agricultural development. He held teaching and research positions at the University Putra Malaysia and National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan. James Dunn, who holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University, is a professor emeritus of agricultural economics at Pennsylvania State University, where his teaching and research focused on agricultural policy and food industry economics.

"The conference was organized by the three editors of this book and took place on August 15-16, 2012 in Seattle."--Preface.

For courses in Introduction to Agricultural or Applied Economics Introduction to Agricultural Economics provides students with a systematic introduction to the basic economic concepts and issues impacting the U.S. food and fiber industry and offers strong coverage of macroeconomic theory and international trade. Teaching and Learning Experience: Strong coverage of macroeconomics, the role of government, and international agricultural trade: The coverage of macroeconomics and agricultural programs and policies allows students to further understand the domestic market economy. Building block approach: Discusses individual consumer and producer decision-making, market equilibrium and economic welfare conditions, government intervention in agriculture, macroeconomic policy, and international trade. Extensive chapter review: Each chapter contains an extensive list of questions designed to test student comprehension of the material covered. The full text downloaded to your computer With eBooks you can: search for key concepts, words and phrases make highlights and notes as you study share your notes with friends eBooks are downloaded to your computer and accessible either offline through the Bookshelf (available as a free download), available online and also via the iPad and Android apps. Upon purchase, you'll gain instant access to this eBook. Time limit The eBooks products do not have an expiry date. You will continue to access your digital ebook products whilst you have your Bookshelf installed.