International Monetary Fund
IMF’s print and digital publications present the research, policy advice, and data on economic and financial sector issues at the global, regional, and country levels.
View Rights PortalIMF’s print and digital publications present the research, policy advice, and data on economic and financial sector issues at the global, regional, and country levels.
View Rights PortalFounded in 1993, Editora Fiocruz emerged from the need to make public and expand access to scientific knowledge in subjects regarding health topics, creating a space to give visibility to the results of research. Since its first launch in 1994, it has always aimed to disseminate books on public health, biological and biomedical sciences, clinical research, social and human sciences in health. Today, with more than 25 years of experience, Editora Fiocruz has published more than 450 titles. These publications disseminate not only the academic production of Fiocruz, but also any study of importance and impact for health on a national and international level.
View Rights PortalCommodity futures prices exploded in 2007-08 and concerns about a new type of participant in commodity futures markets began to emerge. Market participants, regulators, and civic organizations began raising concerns that inflows from new "commodity index" investments were driving the increases in commodity prices instead of economic fundamentals. The main argument was that unprecedented buying pressure from these speculative long-only futures traders created massive bubbles that resulted in prices substantially exceeding fundamental value. At the time, it was not uncommon to link concerns about speculation and high prices to world hunger, food crises, and civil unrest. Naturally, this outcry resulted in numerous regulatory proposals to restrict speculation in commodity futures markets through transaction taxes, speculative position limits, and even the bizarre idea of a "virtual reserve" whereby a public agency would take futures positions opposite speculators. At the core, these assertions raised major economic questions about the efficiency of price discovery in commodity futures markets. Moreover, these so-called remedies did not come without a potential cost. Burdensome regulations would increase compliance and risk sharing costs across the global food system-lowering prices for producers and increasing costs to consumers. To guide this debate, a rigorous approach was needed to understand the dynamics between prices and commodity index activity. This book documents a curated selection of papers on the impact of index investment on commodity futures prices. The chronology of the papers roughly follows the timeline of our involvement in the world-wide debate about commodity speculation as it evolved after 2007. The 10 papers follow the evolving speculation debate with new author forwards highlighting the contribution and impact. Policy-makers, researchers, and market participants will find this not only as useful documentation of the debate; but, also a natural starting point when high commodity prices inevitably create the next speculation backlash.
This book recounts the history and achievements of research at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), including work at its predecessors the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA; 1974-1994) and the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD; 1974-1994). The scientific and economic impacts of tropical livestock research reveal valuable lessons, in this work charting the research of these three institutions. Describing mixed crop and livestock systems' impact on the global environment, it also covers animal genetics, production, health and disease control, land management, public policy, and economics. Providing global estimates of the impact of livestock research and with useful pointers for future research, this book provides an important reference for animal scientists and veterinarians working in the global south.
The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta has newly emerged 'char' islands, resulting from the deposition of sediment, which are very vulnerable, socially, institutionally and environmentally. This book explains how the governments of Bangladesh and the Netherlands and the International Fund for Agricultural Development cooperated on a land-based rural development project to give settlers security and purpose. It details how they engaged communities and civil societies, and implemented an infrastructure aimed at reducing flooding, improving drainage, and providing adequate drinking water and sanitation. The book describes the project's application to crop and animal agriculture, and the development of value chains and encouragement of female participation. It considers the financial underpinning and infrastructure, as well as how to ensure the impacts of the scheme are enduring. The scheme serves as a model for support projects to vulnerable groups faced with climate change and other environmental challenges. This book is suitable for students, researchers, specialists and practitioners in rural development, water resources, land management and soil science.
Investing in agriculture is one of the most effective ways of reducing hunger and poverty, promoting agricultural productivity and enhancing environmental sustainability. Covering the development of sustainable agriculture, food production and food security, this paper explains the relationship between all levels of investment and their interdependence to be successful. It also describes how to drive increased investment, at what stage and where, providing a useful overview of investment in agriculture for policymakers and researchers.
The Business of Plant Breeding is the result of a study on demand-led plant variety design for markets in Africa, sharing best practices from private and public sector breeding programmes worldwide that are applicable to improving tropical crops in Africa. Beginning with an overview of the principles of demand-led plant breeding, the book then discusses aspects such as understanding the demands of clients and markets in rural and urban areas, foresight in setting product profiles and breeding targets, and determining breeding strategy and stage plans. It also covers measuring success and making the business case for future investments in breeding programmes that will deliver new varieties to meet market demands. The book: - Brings together the experience of plant breeders around the world, representing universities, national plant breeding programmes, regional and international agricultural research institutes, and private seed companies, showcasing how to respond to changing market demands; - Provides educational resource materials within each chapter; - Includes templates for use as planning tools by plant breeding programs for determining priority traits that meet market demands. An important read for professionals and students of plant breeding and genetics, this book is also a useful resource for anyone interested in developing and disseminating new, market-led technologies to increase productivity and profitability in tropical agriculture. The study was sponsored by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, the Crawford Fund and the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, and managed by the University of Queensland.
Mason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties, now in its sixth edition, has a long history as a reliable and authoritative source of key livestock breed information. Intended as a list of livestock names and synonyms for breeds, groups, types and varieties worldwide, the dictionary aims to include all names found in the literature, 'defining' each breed or type with a brief indication of identifying characteristics, uses and source of origin. Expanded into a new edition, this established and trusted resource: - Extends coverage to include yak, reindeer and camelids in addition to the existing cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, asses and buffalo - Features well over 10,000 entries and cross-references on breeds, sub-breeds, types, varieties, strains and lines of species - Covers newly created and now-recognised local breeds documented over the last two decades An important updated work, Mason's dictionary forms a useful reference for livestock breeders and academics interested in breeds, as well as national and international organizations with interests in livestock.
There are a number of controversial issues that surround agricultural biotechnology and genetically modified products. International trade and policies are at the forefront of these controversies. This book addresses these issues and has been developed from a meeting of the International Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology Research, held in Revello, Italy, in July 2004. It covers five themes: analytical studies; empirical trade studies; spillover dimensions; intellectual property rights; and applied general equilibrium trade models. ; International Trade and Policies for Genetically Modified Products has been developed from the International Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology Research. It covers five themes: analytical studies; empirical trade studies; spillover dimensions; intellectual property rights; and applied general equilibrium trade models. ; 1: Editors' Overview, R E Evenson and V SantanielloPart 1: Analytical Studies2: Biotechnology Risks and Project Interdependence, O K Knudsen, The World Bank, USA and P L Scandizzo, Facoltà de Economia Università, Italy3: Restricted Monopoly R & D Pricing: Uncertainty, Irreversibility and Non-Market Effect, R D Weaver, Pennsylvania State University, USA and J Wesseler, Wageningen University, The Netherlands4: Biotechnology and the Emergence of Club Behavior in Agricultural Trade, M Tothova and J F Oehmke, Michigan State University, USA5: The Labelling of Genetically Modified Products in a Global Trading Environment, S Scandizzo, Corporacion Andina de Fomento, VenezuelaPart 2: Empirical Trade Studies6: Tree Biotechnology: Regulation and International Trade, R A Sedjo, Resources for the Future, USA7: Commercialized Products of Biotechnology and Trade Pattern Effects, S Smyth, W A Kerr and K A Davey, University of Saskatchewan, CanadaPart 3: Spillover Dimensions8: The Coexistence of GM and non-GM Arable Crops in the EU: Economic and Market Considerations, G Brookes, Canterbury, UK9: Research Spillovers in Biotech Industry: The Case of Canola, R S Gray, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, S Malla, University of Lethbridge, Canada and K Tran, University of Saskatchewan, Canada10: Mergers, Acquisitions and Flows of Agbiotech Intellectual Property, D Schimmelpfennig and J King, USDA, Washington, USA11: The Impact of Regulation on the Development of New Products in the Food Industry, K Menrad, University of Applied Sciences of Weihenstephan and K Blind, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI), GermanyPart 4: Intellectual Property Rights12: Patents Versus Plant Varietal Protection, D Eaton and F van Tongeren, Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands13: Governing Innovative Science: Challenges Facing the Commercialization of Plant-Made Pharmaceuticals, S Smyth, G G Khachatourians and P W B Phillips, University of Saskatchewan, Canada14: Are GURTs Needed to Remedy Intellectual Property Failures and Environmental Problems with GM Crops? G Budd, Grains Research and Development Corporation, AustraliaPart 5: Applied General Equilibrium Trade Models15: Economic Effects of Producing or Banning G.M. Crops, J Flatau and P M Schmitz, University of Giessen, Germany16: Opposition to Genetically Modified Wheat and Global Food Security, F Haggui, University of Saskatchewan, Canada, P W B Phillips and R S Gray17: International Impacts of Bt Cotton Adoption, G B Frisvold, R Tronstad, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA and J M Reeves, Cotton Incorporated, USA
Published on behalf of the International Mycological Association and the International Mycological Institute, this directory aims to address the problems of isolation and awareness that mycologists can experience by bringing together basic information on the various pertinent organizations already in existence, the services they provide, serial publications, living genetic resource collections, and biosystematic reference collections.
The investment climate for firms producing genetically modified (GM) agricultural products has recently experienced considerable change, with the occurrence of remarkably high rate of farmer acceptance, but considerable consumer resistance. The present system that involves firms developing biotech products, farmers producing the products, food and related agribusiness industrial firms, and consumers of food, is very volatile. This however will soon be affected by changes in reulatory, trade and food safety regimes.This book addresses these key issues and is based on papers presented at the fourth meeting of The International Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology Research (ICABR), on Economics of Agricultural Biotechnology, held at Ravello, Italy, in August 2000. Organized in four parts, this volume focuses on:Consumer reactions to GM food informationRegulatory issuesFarmer acceptance of biotech productsChanges in industrial organization in life science and food sectors
Written by a world authority on animal behaviour this is a highly original contribution to the subject that covers behaviour and domestication of farm, zoo and companion animals. This book synthesizes existing knowledge of the process of domestication and how it has affected the behaviour of captive wild and domesticated animals. Three broad themes are addressed in the Chapter structure :Genetic contributions to the process of domestication, Experimental contributions to the process of domestication and The process of feralization (i.e. the adaptation of domesticated animals when returned to their natural habitat).