ROA: Roles of Agriculture

The project aims to provide a more comprehensive view of the roles that agriculture plays in promoting human well-being. Beyond traditionally considered contributions to food security and overall economic growth, agriculture serves less recognized functions such as the provision of positive environmental services, the preservation of biodiversity, an engine for poverty reduction and a safety net in times of crisis. The project identifies and measures these roles through a series of country case studies. The results of this study will be used to better inform policy makers as they consider plans for sustainable economic and social development.

Public policies, transaction costs and market access - the 'blockages' project

This multidisciplinary project aims to assess how market mechanisms and channels of transmission of public policy work to modify the incentive structure faced by small farmers and analyse the impact of this on household welfare. One important part of the project focuses on transaction costs and how these shape farmers' ability to participate in markets.