Lessons for the World from US Agriculture: Unbundling Technology
Author(s)
Goodwin, Neva R.
Abstract
Take as a goal the adequate nourishment of all human beings by the middle of the next century, when the human population will be near double its 1980 level, with much of the increase occurring in the poorest areas of the world. There is a great need to keep food prices low. However, we must consider the additional goal of sustainability. Can agricultural sustainability be achieved while producing the required volume of food? This paper will argue that economic development does not require that food be as cheap, or agricultural practices be as labor saving, as is often assumed.