Kategoria BISAC: Business & Economics >> Industries - Agribusiness

This book addresses the continuing controversy over the potential impact of genetically modified (GM) crops in developing countries. Supporters of the technology claim it offers one of the best hopes for increasing agricultural production and reducing rural poverty, while opponents see it as an untested intervention that will bring corporate control of peasant farming. The book examines the issues by reviewing the experience of GM, insect-resistant cotton, the most widely grown GM crop in developing countries.

The book begins with an introduction to agricultural...

This textbook takes a truly international approach towards agricultural economics, uniting many different perspectives on the subject and providing insight into agriculture in general, and into how practical farming works in particular. The book is laced throughout with real world examples and other pedagogical features.

Topics covered are wide-ranging and include:

• world food production and population
• the food chain and food safety
• non-foods derived from farming
• land and soil issues
...

The subject matter of agricultural economics has both broadened and deepened and the chapters of this handbook present innovative work in the field. This volume contains sections on "agriculture, natural resources and the environment" and "agriculture in the macroeconomy." Volume 2B completes the handbook with a section on "agriculture and food policy." Although agricultural economists have always paid attention to these topics, research devoted to them has increased substantially in scope as well as depth in recent years.

Following the introduction of the 200-mile extended economic zone (EEZ), many developing countries suddenly found they had large fish resources, which - wisely managed and exploited - could generate wealth and income of immense benefit. However, one constraint to this was that many countries, for historic reasons, lacked the expertise to manage fisheries on this scale. Despite the need for information, few economists and especially development economists teaching in universities and colleges were able to incorporate fisheries economics into their courses owing to the lack of readily...

Many African countries are increasingly interested in learning from China's experiences in achieving effective agricultural development. The Chinese government and academic community are also keen to share experiences and lessons with Africa. China made agriculture one of its development assistance priorities at the Third FOCAC Summit in Beijing in 2006.

This systematic comparative study of agricultural development in China and Africa provides a unique basis for African countries and international organizations seeking to understand agricultural development in China, and for China...