/pdf/the-role-of-agriculture-in-economic-development-gkw3h4lxhf.pdf

The role of agriculture in economic development

Introduction A NEW component of foreign direct investment (FDI) is beginning to be recognized in some Less Developed Countries (LDCs). As LDCs develop, and as some LDCs form local common markets, firms based in one LDC are beginning to make substantial direct investments in the modern manufacturing sector of neighbouring LD Cs [23]. Until recently, studies of FDI in LDCs have either ignored these LDC firms, or lumped them together with other multinational enterprises (MNEs).2 This paper examines multinational enterprises which invested in Thailand whose parent firm was located in an LD C and tentatively draws some general conclusions about the characteristics of LDC investments there.3 Many LDCs have followed a development policy of rapid, importsubstituting industrialization. To try to achieve growth in industrial output, they have encouraged investment by MNEs to provide capital, technology, managerial skills, and access to foreign markets. The costs to the host country of this investment are sometimes quite high and may include loss of control of the local economy, cultural dependence, eventual capital and profit repatriation, monopoly profits accruing to foreign firms, the use of 'inappropriate technology', and the production of goods which are inappropriate to the income level of the majority of the population [18]. These conflicts between the host country and foreign investors have been extensively examined in the literature [16, 22]. Over time, many LDCs have begun to emphasize the costs and question the benefits of foreign direct investment. Some LDCs have imposed restrictions on some types of foreign investment, some have banned it entirely. But should the policies of LDCs be the same toward all firms from all countries? Crookell [5] has argued that LD Cs should differentiate between types of foreign investment based on whether the firm is oriented toward exports or toward engaging in local market development. Is it useful for the host LDC to distinguish between foreign investment based on the home country of the parent firm?

https://www.jstor.org/stable/info/2662608

Direct investment by firms from less developed countries 1

https://www.ukm.my/ipi/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/38.2007reducing-climate-change-impact-on-agriculture.pdf

Reducing climate change impacts on agriculture: Global and regional effects of mitigation, 2000–2080

/pdf/pathways-to-change-improving-the-quality-of-education-in-1xv4u2ustw.pdf

Pathways to Change: Improving the Quality of Education in Developing Countries. World Bank Discussion Papers 53.

The present study contributes to the search for a methodology for land use analysis, aiming at a land use that provides sufficient (and rising) incomes to the agricultural population and at the same time maintains the productive capacity of land. The contribution focuses in particular on the role of economic analysis. The study starts with a review of land evaluation and land use planning from an economic angle, providing suggestions for improvement. After a brief examination of prospects for agricultural production and population growth, and problems of land degradation, the concept of sustainable development is discussed. The study opts for a definition of Pearce & Turner (1990). In conjunction with rules for resource use, this definition can be made operational for land use analysis. Reviewing theories of resource economics, it is concluded that these theories are relevant and provide 'food for thought', but lack direct or easy applicability to practical cases of land use analysis. Concepts of cost-benefit analysis and of farm management, production economics and household economics are more directly applicable to land use questions. Other important concepts originate from regional economics, or point to institutional problems, in particular questions around land tenure and contradictions between land users. 'Unsolved' problems within the discipline of economics, should caution against undue belief in the approximation of reality of the results. The role of economics within land use analysis is outlined. The background to this outline is formed by a skeleton model of the agricultural sector, concepts of regional agricultural planning, in particular a comprehensive resource based approach, and the socalled LEFSA sequence for land use planning. The basic idea is to distinguish levels of analysis and to consider the analyses made by several disciplines (including agronomy, soil science and economics) at each of these levels. Furthermore, at each of these levels models can be designed, which are connected in a modular fashion and which foster multi- or interdisciplinary collaboration. It is advocated that the term land use planning be replaced by land use analysis. Linear programming models as a tool for land use analysis are discussed. A linear programming model for a case study, the Neguev settlement in the Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica, is presented. The matrix of the model includes five sub-matrices each encompassing a different farm type. The farm types are distinguished on the basis of land-labour ratios, considering three soil types. Land use activities are included in the form of Land Use Systems & Technologies. These represent land use systems with fixed input-output coefficients. Two indicators for sustainability are taken into account: soil nutrient depletion and biocide use. These are built into the model via constraints, marking upper limits to the use of renewable resources and to the waste flow into the environment. The linear programming model forms part of the USTED ( UsoSostenible de Tierras En el Desarrollo) methodology for land use analysis. Several land use scenarios are analysed to assess whether incomes of farms can increase through an improved, more sustainable, land use. A base scenario is calculated to serve as a reference for assessing the impact of policy measures or changing socioeconomic conditions. A striking feature of the base scenario is the large area with palm heart in comparison to the actual area. Doubling the biocide price hardly affects its use, while a quantitative restriction on the use of biocides to half the amount used in the base scenario reduces average incomes by less than 1%. When soil nutrient depletion is restricted to 'critical losses' per year over a ten year period, average incomes are reduced by less than 3%. Other scenarios concern the impact of decreasing palm heart prices, the influence of increasing wages and the role of the discount rate. Given a certain structure of land use types and land units, land use is determined by the costs and availabilities of other factors than land; in the Neguev case labour.

Farming in a fragile future : economics of land use with applications in the Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica

Investing in development – a corporate view

This essay examines the nature of industrial adjustment, Canada's history in dealing with it, and some recent developments in the steel industry that point in new directions It takes as a starting point the pressure for industrial transformation in Canada both because of declining resource prices and the prospects of free trade Effective industrial adjustment mechanisms to ease the pain of transformation may help us to move through it with greater social cohesion



Past programs of adjustment have concentrated on industries in serious trouble such as textiles, clothing, and footwear, and were operated alongside overt protectionist policies Canada's steel industry, while in decline due to worldwide problems of demand and supply, is not all that sick and is seeking new approaches to industrial adjustment without protectionism Furthermore, management and labour are working together cooperatively with government support to design and implement a program aimed at worker retraining, new job creation, improved worker mobility and where necessary, golden handshakes



These new initiatives involved a good deal of risk both for labour and management, but they appear to be working The trust and cooperation underlying them are vital ingredients for coping with the challenges of economic transformation facing Canada



Resume

Cette etude examine la nature du rajustement industriel, la facon dont le Canada y a fait face historiquement et certains des developpements recents dans l'industrie siderurgique qui suggerent un changement de direction Elle utilise comme point de depart la necessite de certaines transformations industrielles au Canada on raison des prix moins eleves et de l'avenement possible du libre echange Des mecanismes de rajustement industriel efficaces qui faciliteront un difficile processus de transformation nous permettront peut-etre de traverser cette periode difficile avec une plus grande cohesion sociale



Les programmes de rajustement traditionnellemeut centres sur des industries en serieuse difficulte comme l'industrie de textile, du vetement et de la chaussure out ete mis en application de concert avec des politiques ouvertemetu protectioimistes L'industrie de l'acierau Canada, bien qu'elle soit en declin en raison de problemes mondiaux d'offre et de demande, n'est pas du tout malade et recherche de nouveaux mecanismes de rajustement sans protectionnisme De plus, la direction et les travailleurs cooperent a l'aide du gouvernement pour elaboier et mettre en application un programme qui incluerait le recyclage des travailleurs, la creation de nouveaux emplois, une mobilite anielioree pour les travailleurs et, lorsque necessaire, des gratifications de fin de service



Ces nouvelles initiatives component un risque assez eleve tant pour les travailleurs que la direction, mais elles semblent avoir du suites La confiance et la cooperation qui sous-tendent ces initiatives constituent les ingredients de base pour faire face au defi des tranfonnations economiques qui vout marquer le Canada

Harold Crookell

Papers

Investing in development – a corporate view

Managing Industrial Adjustment