Do the Malthusian fears ever die? A note on the recent increase in food prices

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

Argentino Pessoa (Author) FEP

Journal

Title: Economics Bulletin

Vol. 17

ISSN: 1545-2921

Publisher: Economics Bulletin

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-008-ZA4

Abstract (EN): Beginning with a snapshot of the recent raise in food piices, tlie present paper pit in question the hypothesis of it be a response to the near end of resources. Examining some medium and long-run factors that explain the evolution of food production, with special focus on cereals, using data ofthe World Bank foi the last 4? years, and a regression for a cross-section of 106 countries, we show tliat: a) the capacity to feed a growing population has been associated to a sustained increase in productivity, measured by tlie cereal yields; b) the increase in cereal yields is negatively associated to tlie increase inland under cereal production; c) tliere is lirge room to go on increasing cereal production and productivity in low and middle-income countries, profiting from tlie productivity gap that differentiate them from tlie high-income countries. So. tlie main conclusion is that tlie Limits to Grow' perspective and tlie associated Maltlnisian fears liave no empirical support.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific