This book is concerned with the management of food production and the distribution of food in the Pacific Basin, exploring food's potential for engendering both increased conflict and cooperation in the region. The authors begin by discussing the role of food and agriculture in the international economy and the implications of two contrasting approaches to food security: international trade and self-sufficiency. They also consider the problem of international migration of labor in the region and look at how agriculture can contribute to the development of the economy in individual countries....

This book extends the discussion of world food problems by giving explicit recognition to the potential role of markets. The authors highlight the contribution of prices to the solution of food problems in low-income countries, for example, by providing adequate incentives to farmers to expand production, assuring that food supplies can be obtained through trade when needed and giving appropriate signals to consumers. They also document the negative effects on food supply and national welfare of the actual price policies of many Third World governments. While recognizing the problems involved...