Ensuring Food Security: A Synergy Of Food Importation And Agricultural Mechanization In Developing Economies
Volume 3 - Issue 4, April 2019 Edition
[Download Full Paper]
Author(s)
Joe Essien
Keywords
Food Security, Food Markets, Mechanization, Import, Agriculture, Developing Economies, Policies.
Abstract
The proliferation of numerous and widespread import agents inhibit the initiative to engage in mass mechanization of agricultural enterprise. With a synergised import and mechanization policy, a competitive relationship can emerge that allows an import-dependent country to hedge strategically against price manipulation and accession. For these reasons and other enabling factors, a synergy of food import with agricultural mechanization policies is recommended both as a flexible measure for remodelling changes in food security and as a means for sustainability in developing economies. This article present ways in which this can be achieved, consequently it is structured as follows; Section one places the current food importation in Nigeria in perspective by discussing extent and dominance of national corporations in global food markets; section two presents the root cause of food insecurity, effects of trade and food aid policies as the underpinning legislation for food importation; section three discusses the benefits of mechanization, use of technology and financial support; section four elaborates on models for implementing mechanization in rural agriculture; section five presents concepts for synthesising importation and mechanization while section six concludes the discourse with suggestions on promoting food security through a synergy of food policies, importation and mechanization.
References
[1]. Akramov, K., & Malek, M. (2012). Analyzing profitability of maize, rice, and soybean production in Ghana: Results of PAM and DEA analysis. Ghana Strategy Support Program (GSSP) Working, 0028.
[2]. Diao, X., Thurlow, J., Benin, S., & Fan, S. (Eds.). (2012). Strategies and priorities for African agriculture: Economywide perspectives from country studies. Intl Food Policy Res Inst.
[3]. Gonzalez, C. G. (2014). The Global Food Crisis: Law, Policy, and The Elusive Quest For Justice. Yale Human Rights and Development Journal, 13(2), 4.
[4]. Henson, S., & Reardon, T. (2005). Private agri-food standards: Implications for food policy and the agri-food system. Food policy, 30(3), 241-253.
[5]. Houssou, N., Diao, X., Cossar, F., Kolavalli, S., Jimah, K., & Aboagye, P. O. (2013). Agricultural mechanization in Ghana: is specialized agricultural mechanization service provision a viable business model?. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 95(5), 1237-1244.
[6]. Issa, F. O., Abdulazeez, M. O., Kezi, D. M., Dare, J. S., & Umar, R. (2014). Profitability analysis of small-scale catfish farming in Kaduna State, Nigeria.Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 347-353.
[7]. Konandreas, P. (2012). Trade policy responses to food price volatility in poor net food-importing countries. ICTSD and FAO, Issue Paper, (42).
[8]. Ngeleza, G. K., Owusua, R., Jimah, K., & Kolavalli, S. (2011). Cropping practices and labor requirements in field operations for major crops in Ghana. IFPRI Discussion Paper 01074. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute.
[9]. Ragasa, C., Dankyi, A., Acheampong, P., Wiredu, A. N., Chapoto, A., Asamoah, M., & Tripp, R. (2013). Patterns of adoption of improved maize technologies in Ghana. IFPRI Ghana Strategy Support Program Working Paper, 36.
[10]. Sims, B. G., & Kienzle, J. (2016). Farm power and mechanization for small farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.
[11]. Tey, Y. S., & Brindal, M. (2014). Adapting importation policy to global commodity markets: implications of rice import allocation in Singapore. Mitigation and adaptation strategies for global change, 19(8), 1277-1293.
[12]. Vaughan, I. O., Afolami, C. A., Oyekale, T. O., & Ayegbokiki, A. O. (2014). An analysis of Nigeria food imports and bills. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and management, 11(9), 1-4.
[13]. von Grebmer, K., Saltzman, A., Birol, E., Wiesman, D., Prasai, N., Yin, S., ... & Sonntag, A. (2014). 2014 Global Hunger Index: The challenge of hidden hunger. IFPRI books.
