Invited Symposium at the 32nd Conference of Agricultural Economists
11 am – 12.30 IST
Agricultural growth can make a crucial contribution to sustainable economic development, poverty reduction and advancements in food and nutrition security. Optimizing productive investments through enhanced public policies and spending is an essential factor in catalysing agricultural productivity. However, despite promising returns, a persistent challenge remains: the tendency of governments in most lower income countries to underinvest in crucial public goods and services in the agriculture sector. With fiscal constraints heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic repercussions of the conflict in the Ukraine and the proliferation of climate-related shocks, governments face the challenge of optimizing public spending for sustainable development. While fiscal consolidation often targets public investments, preserving funding for development projects in agriculture becomes essential to counterbalance contractionary effects, boost growth, and safeguard long-term economic vitality. In light of these considerations, a reassessment of public spending decisions is imperative to align with evolving fiscal dynamics and effectively meet agriculture and development objectives.
This symposium will delve into how India and Africa transform their food and agriculture sectors, potential insights for future food system strategies, and the impact of challenging fiscal constraints on public spending. Questions about the influence of public spending on agricultural productivity and nutrition security will be addressed by drawing lessons from African countries and Indian states that have achieved significant agricultural growth and malnutrition reduction. The symposium will feature two research presentations followed by a moderated panel discussion to discuss the research findings and identify practical ways forward.
Agenda
Co-Chairs: Prof. Ashok Gulati and Prof. Joachim von Braun
Research presentations and discussion
Transforming agriculture and food systems: Lessons from a comparison of African countries and Indian states
Dr. Shyma Jose, ICRIER, and Dr. Lukas Kornher, ZEF
Comparing patterns of public spending and development outcomes in Indian states and African countries
Prof. Ashok Gulati, ICRIER
Examining the determinants of public spending outcomes for economic growth and food security in India and Africa
Dr. Bezawit Beyene Chichaibelu, ZEF
Moderated Panel Discussion
- Dr. Ousmane Badiane, AKADEMIYA2063
- Dr. Usha Barwale Zehr, MAHYCO
- Dr. Sachin Chaturvedi, RIS
- Dr. Shahidur Rashid, IFPRI
- Prof. Sheryl Hendriks, Natural Resources Institute