what has been the impact of reducing state subsidies on food in the developing world course hero

by Ryan O'Connell Sr. 7 min read

What is the purpose of food subsidy programs?

Food Subsidies. Food subsidy programs are aimed at helping lower-income families, but the situation of those families has changed dramatically since the programs were created. As the economy has grown over the decades, the incidence of households with an inadequate quantity of food has declined.

What is the total impact of reducing energy subsidies?

Energy subsidy may also be taken as negative tax. Reduction in energy subsidies would then lead to decrease in the government expenditure and this may ease stabilizing or lowering the rate of inflation. Therefore, total impact of reducing energy subsidies includes costing effect (direct and indirect) and changes in the rate of inflation.

Why does the government provide subsidies to certain industries?

to provide a greater supply of that good and service. Basically, subsidies are provided by the government to specific industries with the aim of keeping the prices of products and services low for people to be able to afford them and also to encourage production and consumption.

What is a subsidy in economics?

This type of subsidy is provided in order to encourage the production of a product. In order for manufacturers to increase their production output, the government compensates for some of its parts in order to lessen their expenses while increasing their output. As a result, production and consumption grow, but the price remains the same.

How do subsidies affect developing countries?

Subsidies influence world prices, since they encourage farmers in developed countries to export more agricultural products than they would otherwise. Therefore, agricultural policies in developed countries should be of great interest to Africa and the rest of the world.

How do subsidies affect food prices?

According to the authors: Farm subsidies and crop insurance don't lower food prices. On average, only about one dime out of each dollar Americans spend on food is attributable to the cost of producing crops. Subsidies do boost farm families' incomes, but most farming households are not poor.

How does government subsidies improve food security?

Subsidies act as a promoting mechanisms farmers to produce commodities which are less economical because of less favorable natural conditions. As a result, subsidies promote intensification of production in countries that do not have necessary natural conditions and the use of fertilizers is a must condition.

What does it mean when the government subsidies foods?

According to the Collins dictionary, a food subsidy is, "a financial aid supplied by a government, as to industry, farmers, or consumers, in order to make low-cost food available to poor people." So essentially, the food that the government is paying farmers to farm (in excess) and basically paying us to eat.

How have some governments use subsidies to influence food production and what have been some of the effects?

How have governments used subsidies to influence food production and what have been some of their effects? 2. provides subsidies by giving farmers price support tax breaks and other financial support to keep them in business and to encourage frood production to increase.

How do subsidies affect agriculture?

Subsidies tend to reduce incentives for producers to boost efficiency and shift their focus from crops to farming subsidies. As a result, many end up doing less with more. For example, India subsidises the cost of energy to pump water for agriculture, which encourages producers to pump more water than they need.

How can developing countries improve food security?

10 ideas to boost global food securityMake better use of data. © Tim Scrivener. ... Start a “Love your ugly fruit and veg” campaign. ... Educate consumers. ... Train farmers to make most of new technology. ... Create more efficient food chains. ... Adopt more integrated growing practices. ... Invest in skills and training of women. ... Cookery lessons.More items...•

What do you think are the ways to improve global food security?

Here are some of the possible solutions to food insecurity.Reduce Food Waste. ... Reduce the Risk of Commercialising. ... Improve Existing Infrastructural Programs. ... Improve Trade Policies. ... Promote Diversification. ... Close the Yield Gap. ... Work Towards Defeating Climate Change.

What are the benefits of agricultural subsidies?

Subsidies drive down international food prices. And this makes food more affordable to the world's poor. Ironically, the same subsidies make food more expensive within Europe and the US. The reason is that domestic agriculture in Western Europe is uneconomic.

How do subsidies affect consumers?

A subsidy generally affects a market by reducing the price paid by buyers and increasing the quantity sold. Subsidies are usually pareto inefficient because they cost more than they deliver in benefits.

Why does the government subsidize unhealthy food?

Agricultural subsidies allocate the “vast majority” of federal funding to “commodity crops that are processed into many of the foods that are linked to the obesity crisis”; this system drives down the prices of fast food items, leaving fresh produce more expensive and less accessible to low-income areas.

What would happen if the government eliminated all farm subsidies?

If the government eliminated all farm subsidies, it would result in the following: 1- Poor management of the agricultural commodities. 2- Agricultural overproduction and surplus. 3- Lower variation of agricultural production. 4- Higher food prices.

Types of Subsidies

  • 1. Production subsidy
    This type of subsidy is provided in order to encourage the production of a product. In order for manufacturers to increase their production output, the government compensates for some of its parts in order to lessen their expenses while increasing their output. As a result, production and …
  • 2. Consumption subsidy
    This happens when the government offsets the costs of food, education, healthcare, and water.
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Advantages of Subsidies

  • 1. Lowering prices and controlling inflation
    They are especially applicable in the area of production cost inputs such as fuel prices, particularly when global crude oil prices are rising. Many countries subsidize fuel costs in order to keep prices from ballooning.
  • 2. Preventing the long-term decline of industries
    There are many industries that should be kept alive and functional, such as fishing and farming because they are essential to support a population. Many new and fast-growing industries may also benefit from being subsidized.
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Disadvantages of Subsidies

  • 1. Shortage of supply
    Though one of the advantages of subsidies is the greater supply of goods, a shortage of supply can also occur. This is because lowered prices can lead to a sudden rise in demand that many producers may find very hard to meet. Ultimately, it can lead to very high demand that causes a…
  • 2. Difficulty in measuring success
    Subsidies are usually effective and helpful. However, if the government were to make a report of its success in using subsidies, it would be a different story. This is because it is hard to quantify the success of subsidies.
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More Resources

  • Thank you for reading CFI’s guide to Subsidy. To keep learning and developing your knowledge of financial analysis, we highly recommend the additional CFI resources below: 1. Deadweight Loss 2. Supply and Demand 3. Externality 4. Network Effect
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