Food aid, domestic policy and food security: Contrasting ...

Food aid, domestic policy and food security: Contrasting experiences from South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa

^aThe World Bank, Safety Nets, Social Protection and Labor, 1818 H Street, NW, Washington, DC 20433, United States

Received 25 October 2005; 

revised 3 November 2006; 

accepted 15 November 2006. 

Available online 19 January 2007.

Abstract

Food aid, both for short-term emergency relief and as program food aid that helps address medium-term food “deficits”, is often a major component of food security strategies in developing countries. This study reviews the experience with food aid of four major recipients of food aid (India, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Zambia) regarding food production, trade, markets, consumption and safety nets, as well as the policy responses to food emergencies. The widely varying experiences of the study countries suggest that food aid that supports building of production and market enhancing infrastructure, is timed to avoid adverse price effects on producers, and is targeted to food insecure households can play a positive role in enhancing food security. However, food aid is not the only, or in many cases, the most efficient means of addressing food insecurity. In many cases private markets can more effectively address shortfalls in food availability and cash transfers may be a viable alternative to food transfers in-kind.

Keywords: Food aid; Food security; Trade; Bangladesh; Ethiopia; India; Zambia

JEL classification codes: Q18-Agricultural policy; Food policy; I38-Government policy; Provision and effects of welfare programs; F1-Trade