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Nigeria has for decades placed enormous emphasis on diversifying its economy beyond oil and into sectors such as agribusiness and manufacturing. Lack of progress on the diversification agenda could be blamed on weak implementation and misalignment of public spending, but it also reflects more profound underlying issues. For example, declarations that any particular sector should drive diversification without offering clarity on specific investment priorities and expected outcomes will not persuade budget holders to allocate development resources. The lack of clarity also deprives policy makers and practitioners of the information, inspiration, and conviction to develop and execute sector pla...
Over the past 20 years the number of standards and certification programmes for agricultural production has grown rapidly. Producers who want to export are confronted not only by a plethora of import regulations, but also within import countries by different niche markets for which specific requirements have to be fulfilled. This report gives an overview of standards and certification programmes relevant for fruit and vegetable producers and exporters in developing countries with a focus on the markets of the United States of America and the European Union. In addition, it gives an overview of current analytical work on standards and trade, reviews major assistance programmes related to standards and provides recommendations for further research.
Workplace safety and environmental sustainability can be promoted by agreed standards, certification and labelling. This publication contains 22 case studies on the impact of standards and certification programmes for cash crops in developing countries, including organic agriculture, fair-trade labelling, "Social Accountability 8000", the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Programme, the Ethical Trading Initiative, ISO-14001 and EurepGap. It examines the origins, scope and certification systems of these initiatives, as well as stakeholder involvement, the standard-setting process, verification methods, the relationship with the World Trade Organization agreements and the potential role of governments.
This addition to the 'Law and Global Governance Series' examines participation of stakeholders in treaty-based intergovernmental organizations. Readers are offered a comprehensive account of what has been done to facilitate the participation of previously neglected stakeholders.
"The role of producer organizations in market chains has received increasing attention in recent years, both from governments and donors. In order to lower transaction costs, markets demand that smallholder farmers operate in an organized manner. However, though the policy openings for support seem promising, smallholder market access through farmer-led economic organisations is not easy. This book presents various approaches to support producer organisations in terms of providing economic services to their members, with a focus on developing countries. Markets are increasingly fragmented in value chains that link farmers with specific processors, retailers and consumer segments. Several con...
Food Systems for an Urbanizing World is a joint report prepared by the World Bank and FAO. It aims to stimulate discussion and suggest pathways to support local and national governments, and civil society and private sector actors in their efforts to improve the performance and capacity of food systems. The report describes the diversity and ever-changing nature of food systems, with interlinked traditional, modern and informal channels that respond to different market segments and different consumer preferences. It also underscores the importance of targeting support to the type of city and food system. The task is not an easy one. Data are weak and empirical analysis is weaker. As cities’ engagement in urban food issues is relatively new, the institutions, governance mechanisms and capacities needed for effective design, implementation and delivery of this agenda must be strengthened. Finding effective ways to prioritize, mobilize and coordinate contributions from multiple sectors will be essential for achieving food system goals.
Bananas are grown in all tropical regions and play a key role in the economics of many developing countries. The volume of bananas exported worldwide in the period 1985-2002 grew at an unprecedented average annual rate of 5.3 percent, twice that of the previous 24 years. This expansion was accompanied by minor technological changes but major developments in the world trade situation. This publication reviews the impacts of these events on the world banana economy. It is the first of a series of FAO Commodity Studies that focus primarily on themes relating to individual commodities or commodity groups.
Banana (Musa) is the most popular fruit and globally the fourth most widely consumed crop by man after rice, wheat and corn. Banana Economy involves production front and marketing arrangements of banana as it possesses commercial, nutritional as well as environmental values. In Assam and Meghalaya people depend on different types of banana as a source of livelihood and wellbeing. The government has already planned for boosting the production of banana both for domestic consumption and exports.
A comprehensive study of the growth, potential, and limits of transnational eco-certification in China and the implications for other emerging economies. China has long prioritized economic growth over environmental protection. But in recent years, the country has become a global leader in the fight to save the planet by promoting clean energy, cutting air and water pollution, and developing a system of green finance. In Certifying China, Yixian Sun explores the potential and limits of transnational eco-certification in moving the world’s most populous country toward sustainable consumption and production. He identifies the forces that drive companies from three sectors—seafood, palm oil...