GM Food Crop Technology: Implications For Sub-Saharan Africa
Date
2004-07
Authors
Anderson, Kym
Jackson, Lee Ann
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Canberra, ACT: Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR), The Australian National University
Abstract
The first generation of genetically modified (GM) crop varieties sought to increase farmer profitability through cost reductions or higher yields. The next generation of GM food research is focusing also on breeding for attributes of interest to consumers, beginning with ‘golden rice’, which has been genetically engineered to contain a higher level of vitamin A and thereby boost the health of unskilled labourers in developing countries. This Paper analyses empirically the potential economic effects of adopting both types of innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It does so using the global economy-wide computable general equilibrium model known as GTAP. The results suggest the welfare gains are potentially very large, especially from golden rice, and that those benefits are diminished only slightly by the presence of the European Union’s current ban on imports of GM foods. In particular, if SSA countries impose bans on GM crop imports in an attempt to maintain access to EU markets for non-GM products, the loss to domestic consumers due to that protectionism boost to SSA farmers is far more than the small gain in terms of greater market access to the EU.
Description
Keywords
biotechnology, computable general equilibrium, GMOs, regulation, sub-saharan africa, trade policy
Citation
Source
C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers No 4490
Type
Working/Technical Paper
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
Open Access