G. Edward Schuh - Böcker

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. The book concludes with a discussion of the prospects for international collaboration in dealing with the domestic and international adjustments required to enhance overall growth and equity in food supply and distribution.

This book is concerned with the management of food production and the distribution of food in the Pacific Basin, discussing the role of food and agriculture in the international economy. It looks 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 in defining and measuring hunger, as well as in improving the food supply, the authors consider the outlook for future food availability as favorable in terms of continued modest improvement in per capita food supplies at prices, adjusted for inflation, that are likely to continue the slow decline of recent decades. One focus of their comments is the positive roles that governments can and should play in the world food economy, especially in support of research, creation of human capital, and provision of appropriate rural infrastructure.