Institute of Development Studies
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Agriculture
Agriculture is a key pathway out of poverty. Getting growth moving through different types of agriculture in ways that benefit poor people and generate growth in the wider economy is a major policy priority in developing countries. However, while many of the problems and solutions are well known, previous policy prescriptions for agriculture have been found wanting.
The IDS aim is to revitalise the debate on agriculture. We recognise that the complexities and contextual differences of the variety of rural settings need a more attuned approach. This is reflected in work which spans across a number of IDS teams and is conducted with partners worldwide.
Sub-themes of Agriculture
News
12 Mar 10 Undernutrition in Today’s World is an Unforgivable Crime
IDS Director, Lawrence Haddad, on why we must not be accomplices to the crime of child undernutrition
18 Feb 10 A Global Land Grab?
The Future Agricultures Consortium, based at IDS, is embarking on a new initiative to deepen knowledge on the causes and implications of land grabs.
02 Dec 09 Food, Agriculture, Development and the Role of International Institutions
In a recent review article of John Shaw’s book on the role of international institutions, IDS Trustee, Uma Lele reflects on their role in providing development assistance in food and agriculture.
10 Nov 09 What does the future hold for food and farming?
The Foresight Project on Global Food and Farming Futures is asking the question 'How can a future global population of nine billion people all be fed healthily and sustainably?'
21 Oct 09 Do Small-scale Farms in Africa Have a Future?
Contributors to a recent IDS-hosted e-debate highlighted the importance of small-scale farming in Africa and called for greater investment in rural agriculture.
IDS Director, Lawrence Haddad, on why we must not be accomplices to the crime of child undernutrition
The Future Agricultures Consortium, based at IDS, is embarking on a new initiative to deepen knowledge on the causes and implications of land grabs.
In a recent review article of John Shaw’s book on the role of international institutions, IDS Trustee, Uma Lele reflects on their role in providing development assistance in food and agriculture.
The Foresight Project on Global Food and Farming Futures is asking the question 'How can a future global population of nine billion people all be fed healthily and sustainably?'
Contributors to a recent IDS-hosted e-debate highlighted the importance of small-scale farming in Africa and called for greater investment in rural agriculture.
Events
There are no current Events
Latest publications on Agriculture
- Sumberg, J. (2009) 'Re-framing the Great Food Debate: The Case for Sustainable Food' , London: The New Economics Foundation
- Scoones, I. and Glover, D. (2009) 'GM crops in Africa: polarising the debate'
- Wiggins, S. (2009) 'Can the Smallholder Model Delivery Poverty Reduction and Food Security for a Rapidly Growing Population in Africa?', Future Agricultures Working Paper 8
- Glover, D. (2009) 'Transgenic cotton: A 'pro-poor' success?', STEPS Briefing 15, STEPS Centre
- Glover, D. (2009) 'Undying Promise: Agricultural Biotechnology’s Pro-poor Narrative, Ten Years on', STEPS Working Paper 15, Brighton: STEPS Centre
Agriculture projects at IDS
- Agricultural Biotechnology & Policy Processes in Developing Countries - (Ongoing)
- ALINe - There is a new and widespread commitment within the development community to invest in agriculture as a way of reducing poverty and hunger. Three quarters of the one billion people surviving on less than $1 a day live and work in rural areas, and most rely on agriculture for their food and income. Investing in agriculture is key to lifting the world's poor out of hunger and poverty. (Ongoing)
- Analysing the Effects from Non Tariff Measures (NTM) in the Global Agri-Food Trade - The project's objective is to collect and analyse new data on non-tariff measures, particularly on governmental standards and regulations that prescribe the conditions for importing agri-food products into the EU market and into the markets of the main competing players. (Ongoing)
- Assessing the Political Feasibility of Policy Reform in the Horn of Africa - The project investigated the ways in which local political organisation, interest group power, and institutional proclivities and capacities shape the reform initiatives that are most likely to be successful. (2006 - 2007)
- Crop-livestock Integration in Africa - The aim of this project has been to explore the dynamics of crop-livestock integration in contrasting agroecological settings in Africa through an analysis of the institutions which mediate change. (1997 - 2000)
- Ending Famine in the 21st Century - IDS is coordinating a programme of work based on the belief that global eradication of famine is achievable in the foreseeable future. The ultimate objective of this policy-oriented research is to contribute to a new policy agenda for famine prevention. (2001 - 2003)
- Future Agricultures - The DFID funded Future Agricultures Consortium aims to encourage critical debate and policy dialogue on the future of agriculture in Africa. The Consortium is a partnership between research-based organisations in Africa and the UK, with work currently focusing on Ethiopia, Kenya and Malawi. (Ongoing)
- Global Value Chains and Standards in Horticulture and Aquaculture - An examination of the policy responses to new challenges for producers of food products in East Africa and South-East Asia. (2005 - 2007)
- Livelihoods After Land Reform - (Ongoing)
- Social, Technological and Environmental Pathways to Sustainability (STEPS) Centre - The STEPS Centre is an interdisciplinary global research and policy engagement hub, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. It aims to develop a new approach to understanding, action and communication on sustainability and development. (Ongoing)
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