Agricultural Policy Perspectives from the Philippines and Other Developing Countries
We have drawn inspiration from our students in writing this agricultural policy book, many of whom have already graduated and currently work in various capacities in government, nongovernment organizations, and the private sector. Some are now teaching in various state and private colleges and universities.
This book is intended as teaching material for an undergraduate course in agricultural policy. It contextualizes agricultural policy in terms of the interrelationships of the agricultural sector with the rest of the macro and global economies. The specific policies include land/agrarian reform, fertilizer and seed subsidies, and other concerns in the context of trade and industrial protection, irrigation, and mechanization. Policies related to credit in support of farming activities, as well as research and development to increase production possibilities for farmers, are also discussed. The book also introduces topics on food safety issues, environmental concerns, and quantitative analytical tools to encourage students to explore advanced aspects of agricultural policy.
The Authors
Isabelita M. Pabuayon is a Professor of Agricultural Economics at the College of Economics and Management, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), where she teaches agricultural policy and marketing courses to both undergraduate and graduate students. She was former chair of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Vice-Chancellor for Administration of UPLB, and director of the Institute of Cooperatives and Bio-Enterprise Development (ICOPED). She is currently Dean of the College of Economics and Management. She holds a PhD (1983) and an MS (1978) in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University (USA) and BS in Agriculture from UPLB (1976). Her fields of specialization and interest are agricultural and forest products marketing, agricultural policy and development, and price analysis.
Salvador P. Catelo is a Professor of Agricultural Economics at the College of Economics and Management (CEM), University of the Philippines Los Baños. At present, he also serves as international adviser to the Comprehensive International Education Program in Agriculture, Food, and Environment in Tokyo, Japan, and chair of the Technical Committee on Policy Research of the Department of Agriculture’s Biotech Program. He has a doctoral degree in Agricultural Economics from Kyoto University and MS and BS degrees in Agricultural Economics from UPLB. His fields of specialization and research interests include production economics and farm management, policy and development, global food systems and safety, project feasibility, and monitoring and evaluation. He was a former dean of the CEM, UPLB, and visiting professor at the Tokyo University of Agriculture.
Agnes C. Rola is Professor at the Institute for Governance and Rural Development, and former dean of the College of Public Affairs and Development, University of the Philippines Los Baños. She teaches data analysis and policy analysis to UPLB graduate students. Her research interests are focused on the economics and policy analysis of sustainable agriculture. As researcher, she was recognized and given the UP Science Productivity Award as UP Scientist II during the period 2008–2010. In July 2011, she was conferred the rank and title of Academician by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines. She earned her PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA; MS in Agricultural Economics from the University of the Philippines Los Baños; and BS Statistics from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Tirso B. Paris Jr. is a former Professor of Economics at the College of Economics and Management (CEM), University of the Philippines Los Baños. He has served as dean of the CEM and as chair of the Department of Economics, UPLB. He has taught General Economics, Microeconomics, Mathematical Economics, Econometrics, Resource Economics, and other courses, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. His research interests are economic evaluation of research, impact analysis of agricultural projects, and agricultural policy simulation modeling. He finished his BS in Agriculture (magna cum laude) at UPLB, his MA in Economics at the UP School of Economics, and his PhD in Agricultural Economics at Michigan State University, USA. He has served as consultant in national and international agencies, most notably with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.