Agricultural Globalization in Reverse: The Impact of the Food Crisis in West Africa

Background paper for the Geneva Trade and Development Forum Crans-Montana, Switzerland September 17-20, 2008Africa, globalization, Food Security and Poverty, International Relations/Trade, Q11,

Transmission des hausses des prix internationaux des produits alimentaires en Afrique de l’Ouest : Leçons de la crise de 2007-2008 pour l’expansion de la production

CONFERENCE INTERNATIONALE SUR LES BIOCARBURANTS EN AFRIQUE : Les biocarburants, facteur d’insécurité ou moteur de développement (Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso 10-12 Novembre 2009)price transmission, agriculture, africa, food security, Agricultural and Food Policy, Food Security and Poverty, Marketing, q11,

Implications of Asia’s Changing Rice Economy for the Development of Rice Value Chains in West Africa

Rice is at the center of food policy debates in West Africa.1 Driven by its convenience in preparation and consumption and higher consumer incomes, per capita consumption grew from just under 15 kg/year in 1970 to 40 kg/year in 2011 while population tripled during the same period

Agricultural Globalization in Reverse: The Impact of the Food Crisis in West Africa

Trade bans and high international food prices are pushing many West African countries away from their historical reliance on regional and international trade as a key component of their food security strategies. No longer confident that international and regional markets are reliable sources of basic staples, many countries are pushing for greater food self sufficiency—a sort of agricultural globalization in reverse. This paper examines West Africa’s globalization in reverse and raises a number of questions about what role regional and international trade should play in the region’s future quest for food security. The objective is to stimulate discussion about the different strategies available to West African governments for ensuring food security in the current environment of high world market prices for staple foods. These strategies need to take into account not only the need to provide safety nets for vulnerable groups who cannot afford the higher food costs but also the need to stimulate production in response to growing regional and world demand