Scientific Publication

Food Price Policy and Equity

author(s) Ghai, Dharam - Smith, Lawrence
from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
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themes
regions
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Africa
  • World
citation

Ghai, Dharam; Smith, Lawrence, 'Food Price Policy and Equity', In Accelerating food production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Chapter 22. Pp. 278-289. In Accelerating food production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Mellor, John W.; Delgado, Christopher L.; Blackie, Malcom J. (Eds.), Published for the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) by Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD, 1987

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Abstract

Policies for food are much more relevant to equity considerations than policies for most other commodities. Not only is food essential for survival, but the poor spend a higher proportion of their income on food than the rich. A change in the price of food has a proportionally greater impact on their real income and welfare. Food also is a source of income for a large proportion of the population in developing countries. Consequently, the focus here is primarily on agricultural pricing, which some claim is a major factor underlying current food problems in Africa.

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