Impact of Food Production on Consumer Protection and Agricultural Labour Force in South Asia: A Panel Data Analysis

Urban Farm DB summary

Using FAOSTAT data from 2000 to 2005, this panel data analysis examines the impact of the food production index (FPI) on the food consumer price index (CPI), the agricultural labor force (ALF), and rural-urban and agricultural-nonagricultural populations in South Asia. While food production in the region increased, food prices also rose sharply, producing an undesirable dual impact in countries where net consumers outweigh net producers: consumers lose while producers gain. A random effects model was found more appropriate, and results indicate consumer protection, CPI, and ALF are country-specific determinants of food production.