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112. Would a Southeast Asian rice futures market be feasible, and what of food security?
- Author:
- Sally Trethewie
- Publication Date:
- 05-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS)
- Abstract:
- In 2010, it was proposed that Singapore consider hosting an international rice futures market, with cited benefits being enhanced price discovery and price stabilisation. The RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security (NTS) Studies hosted an Expert Working Group Meeting in Singapore in March 2012 to discuss the feasibility of this proposal. The market conditions of the Southeast Asian rice sector are seen as an impediment to the operation of an international futures contract, although opinion is divided as to the degree that these conditions would affect a contract. Whether feasible or not, the proposal for a rice futures market raises several issues related to the region's food security, in particular, the potential impact of futures trading on rice price volatility and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. This NTS Policy Brief provides a summary of these issues and presents considerations for Southeast Asian policymakers.
- Topic:
- Agriculture, Development, International Trade and Finance, Markets, and Food
- Political Geography:
- Singapore and Southeast Asia
113. US Agricultural Exports to ASEAN Grow - But Face Competition
- Author:
- Michael McConnell
- Publication Date:
- 03-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- East-West Center
- Abstract:
- ASEAN countries have long been an important international market for US agricultural exports. The United States, in 2011, exported almost $9.6 billion of agricultural products to ASEAN, making it the sixth-largest export destination for US farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses—behind Japan ($14 billion) and just behind the European Union ($9.6 billion), but well ahead of South Korea ($7 billion). Moreover, the value of agricultural trade between the United States and ASEAN almost doubled between 2007 and 2011, with the top four ASEAN markets in 2011 for the United States being Indonesia ($2.8 billion), the Philippines ($2.1 billion), Vietnam ($1.7 billion), and Thailand ($1.3 billion). With a population of 614 million and strong economic growth, it is expected that ASEAN will continue to be an important market for US agricultural products. However, the United States is likely to face increasing competition, particularly from China, Australia, and New Zealand, all of which have free trade agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN.
- Topic:
- Agriculture, Demographics, Economics, International Trade and Finance, Markets, and Food
- Political Geography:
- United States, China, Europe, East Asia, South Korea, Australia, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand
114. Are Closed Areas the Solution for Fisheries Management?
- Author:
- Cheryl Rita Kaur
- Publication Date:
- 02-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Maritime Institute of Malaysia
- Abstract:
- There is strong scientific consensus that closed areas contribute towards increased abundance of fish, protect against the risk of fishery collapse, and guard against the shortcomings of other environmental management tools. Studies at some areas have shown that protected spots experienced a rapid increase in fish numbers. While closed areas may offer promise for the conservation and management of marine fisheries and their habitats, there are however, mixed views on their benefits. Critics argue that most commercial species are too mobile to benefit from closed areas; whereas fishermen worry that it would reduce their fishing grounds, and thus affect their catches. Cheryl summarises that well enforced closed areas have great potential to maintain or enhance fishery catches and increase sustainability, but they cannot be considered as the solution to the problem of dwindling global fisheries stocks. The potential in improving fisheries management towards better yield will be limited unless the roots of management failures are addressed. These hugely requires reductions in fishing mortality, better enforcement strategies, improved design and selection of suitable sites as fisheries closed areas, and increased transboundary cooperation among countries on migratory fish species.
- Topic:
- Environment, Maritime Commerce, Natural Resources, and Food
115. Sahel Markets Under Pressure
- Author:
- Jean Denis Crola
- Publication Date:
- 05-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Oxfam Publishing
- Abstract:
- Harvests in Africa's Sahel region from the 2011/12 season are down sharply compared with last year and have been later than usual, extending the previous 'hunger gap' period. A further aggravating factor for the people of the region is that local grain prices failed to drop as they generally do in the period after the harvest. In December 2011, prices reached levels that were 80% above their five-year averages and remained at high levels, compromising access to adequate food for vulnerable populations. Together with the main agencies involved in the crisis, Oxfam, ROPPA, RBM, APESS, POSCAO and WILDAF estimate that more than 18 million people are currently in a situation of food insecurity in the Sahel.
- Topic:
- Agriculture, Demographics, Poverty, Food, and Famine
- Political Geography:
- Africa
116. Where There's a Will: Tackling the humanitarian crisis in Yemen
- Author:
- Abigael Baldoumas and Kelly Gilbride
- Publication Date:
- 05-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Oxfam Publishing
- Abstract:
- The Yemeni people are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis with more than ten million–44 per cent of the population–facing food insecurity. With the onset of the hunger season, many families have exhausted their coping strategies and are being driven deeper into poverty. Donors remain deeply divided over their approaches to the region's poorest country, thus delaying responses and hindering funding. As the crisis builds, donors must take steps to address immediate humanitarian needs as well as making long term commitments to promote development. The Friends of Yemen ministerial meeting in Riyadh offers a critical opportunity for donors to be decisive, creative and generous if they are to break the cycle of hunger and poverty in Yemen. Yemen's future depends upon reducing people's vulnerability and building resilience for the long term, breaking the hunger cycle and empowering people to realize their potential. Failure to act now will put more lives at risk and further entrench poverty in the country.
- Topic:
- Humanitarian Aid, Poverty, Food, and Famine
- Political Geography:
- Middle East, Yemen, and Arabia
117. Food Crisis in the Sahel: Five steps to break the hunger cycle in 2012
- Author:
- Stephen Cockburn
- Publication Date:
- 04-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Oxfam Publishing
- Abstract:
- Ever since the first warnings of drought and poor harvests in Africa's Sahel region emerged in late 2011, vulnerable communities in many areas of the region have been threatened by a looming food crisis. That crisis is now real, and 18.4 million people in nine countries are vulnerable to its impact. Food stocks have already run out for some communities, and are running dangerously low for others. Support to protect lives and livelihoods is urgently needed as the crisis becomes an emergency.
- Topic:
- Security, Markets, Non-Governmental Organization, and Food
- Political Geography:
- Africa
118. Stirring up the South China Sea (II): Regional Responses
- Publication Date:
- 07-2012
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- International Crisis Group
- Abstract:
- The South China Sea dispute between China and some of its South East Asian neighbours – Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei – has reached an impasse. Increasingly assertive positions among claimants have pushed regional tensions to new heights. Driven by potential hydrocarbon reserves and declining fish stocks, Vietnam and the Philippines in particular are taking a more confrontational posture with China. All claimants are expanding their military and law enforcement capabilities, while growing nationalism at home is empowering hardliners pushing for a tougher stance on territorial claims. In addition, claimants are pursuing divergent resolution mechanisms; Beijing insists on resolving the disputes bilaterally, while Vietnam and the Philippines are actively engaging the U.S. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). To counter diminishing prospects of resolution of the conflicts, the countries should strengthen efforts to promote joint development of hydrocarbon and fish resources and adopt a binding code of conduct for all parties to the dispute.
- Topic:
- Conflict Prevention, Maritime Commerce, Natural Resources, and Food
- Political Geography:
- China, Malaysia, Israel, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and Brunei
119. Global food security index 2012
- Publication Date:
- 07-2012
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Abstract:
- Global food prices rose twice as fast as inflation in the last decade, impoverishing millions at a time when poverty relief captured the world's attention. Huge price swings for wheat, maize, soybeans and rice—staple crops for much of the world—made matters worse, disrupting markets and harming both producers and consumers. The food riots that swept more than two dozen countries in 2008 and 2011 were the most visible effect of these trends, but they also point to a deeper and more lasting concern: chronic food insecurity.
- Topic:
- Agriculture, Globalization, International Trade and Finance, Poverty, and Food
120. Bridging the Gap? The New Philanthropy in India
- Author:
- Karl F. Inderfurth and Persis Khambatta
- Publication Date:
- 05-2012
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- Center for Strategic and International Studies
- Abstract:
- Standard Poor's recently cut its outlook on India's investment rating from stable to negative. The decision was met with shock from India's Ministry of Finance, but it echoed a sentiment currently running through policy discussions about India—that investors and policymakers in and outside of India are looking at the central government with disbelief and disappointment over the stalling of further economic reforms.
- Topic:
- Security, Development, Economics, Poverty, and Food
- Political Geography:
- South Asia and India