The paper examines the possibilities of using trade policy to address the adverse economic effects of an avian influenza outbreak in the Philippines. In particular, it employs a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for analyzing the likely effects of two options; namely, a) a ban on...

The book is one of the few notable books on agribusiness that I came across in recent years. Kim Bryceson has vast experience in the agribusiness and energy sectors. She is a Senior Lecturer in Agribusiness from the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. UQ is one of her country’s...

The chicken industry in the Philippines has diverse components. The commercial sector is characterized by large-scale, industrialized production systems of broilers and layers of exotic hybrids. On the other hand, the backyard sector is made up of many smallholders who keep a few native or...

The paper tackles the issue of food safety, which is generally defined as the assurance that food will not cause harm to the consumer when it is prepared and/or eaten according to its intended use. Echoing the recognition by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1996 that food safety is...

Significant developments in the scientific front and international policy arena have affected the use and exchange of genetic resources, and the management of intellectual property. These developments are now reshaping public agricultural research and development (R&D) in developing countries,...

In the last two decades, Asia has become the world’s fastest economically growing area. Countries in Southeast Asia are growing at an increasing rate. For instance, the average annual income is increasing from 4% to 8%, population from 2% to 3%, urbanization from 4% to 6%, and meat...

Current perceptions about agriculture-based systems are rooted in an assessment of their negative and positive externalities, as well as their tremendous influence in the cultural and religious values of communities. Among the emerging concerns is how to integrate this view of the multi-faceted...

This paper presents the findings of a firm-level case study examining the role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in processed food exports from Thailand. The discussion covers both FDI (foreign direct investment) and non-FDI channels of MNE involvement in the export of four major items,...

Microfinance has become an important tool for poverty reduction in many parts of the world, including Asia and the Pacific region. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) target the poor through innovative approaches which include group lending, progressive lending, regular repayment schedules, and...

Many consider non-tariff measures (NTMs) as another protectionist stratagem to prevent exports, especially of agriculture, from developing countries. Philippine exporters seem to be taking things in stride, however. The estimated cost of less than 3% of sales borne by a Philippine food exporter...