The Political Economy Of Food And Agriculture In The Caribbean

This text presents an analysis of the agricultural and food-producing sector of the English-speaking Caribbean island economies, set in historical perspective. It discusses the reasons for the relative decline of this sector, and the failure of policy proposals for its resuscitation. Issues examined include: the legacy of the plantation economy, which emphasizes luxury export crops over basic food production; the reliance on multinational donor funding for economic development, and the resulting manipulation of agricultural projects by such external agencies; and liberalization of the market economy leading to more underdevelopment of the region and dependence on the international market system.

Focusing on the process of agricultural policy-making within the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), this book provides a context for understanding the evolving theory of regional integration among developing countries. Dr. Axline traces the progress of Caribbean integration from its beginnings in the mid-1960s to its present state of stagnation. Drawing on original documents and extensive interviews in the twelve CARICOM member countries, he describes the move away from a market-oriented laissez-faire approach to agriculture and the shift toward sectoral programming. The role of other regional organizations, such as the Caribbean Development Bank and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, is examined and related to national and regional policies in the agricultural sector. The Caribbean experience, concludes Dr. Axline, suggests that the future direction of regional cooperation among developing countries will likely be toward more intensive integration on a less extensive scale.

This book provides a multilayered analysis of food import dependency and its impact on food security in the Caribbean region. The study analyses the main impact of trade liberalization in the Caribbean within the WTO framework and main policy mechanisms to support domestic food production in order to reduce food import dependency. Moreover, the author evaluates economic and social benefits of food self-sufficiency as a strategy aimed to improve domestic food production by increased availability of locally produced food products.

Agricultural trade is a major factor determining food security in Caribbean countries. In these small open economies, exports are essential, whilst imports provide a large part of the food supply. This book examines various dimensions of trade policy and related issues and suggests policies to address trade and food security and rural development linkages. It is as a guide and reference documents for agricultural trade policy analysts, trade negotiators, policy-makers and planners in both the public and private sectors.

This book tackles the central question of the political and structural changes and characteristics that govern agriculture and food. Original contributions explore this highly globalized economic sector by analyzing salient geographical regions and sub

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The emergence of a world economy depends on the reorganization of agriculture and food systems to provision the work force and the industries associated with the division of labor. This work emphasizes the central role played by food and agriculture in the world economy. The book includes a historical dimension along with the formulation of the challenges that face the world today. Social scientists of all kinds, but especially economists, sociologists, environmentalists, and political scientists, should be interested in this volume.