Some implications of GM food technology policies for Sub-Saharan Africa
Date
2005
Authors
Anderson, K.
Jackson, L.
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Journal article
Citation
Journal of African Economies, 2005; 14(3):385-410
Statement of Responsibility
Kym Anderson and Lee Ann Jackson
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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—contrary to the claims of numerous interests—those estimated benefits are diminished only slightly by the presence of the European Union's current barriers to 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.
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© The author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Centre for the Study of African Economies An earlier version is circulated as CEPR Discussion Paper No. 4490, London, July 2004 and as World Bank Policy Research Working Paper 3411, Washington DC, September 2004.