International Economics: IB Economics

Water is a scarce resource, and this World Bank clip highlights its importance to development and how climate change is imperilling this. In the short-term, a lack of access to water harms living standards and reduces agricultural productivity; longer-term many think that it will be the source of future conflict.

This clip shows how the World Bank is developing strategic partnerships to counter the likelihood of both outcomes.  

The clip shows how the intervention of the International Finance Corporation has helped established a more resilient, and more efficient supply chain, increasing farm incomes and agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. And as a result, the farmers involved have better development prospects. 

The centrality of property rights to development is self-evident in this

World Bank clip which looks at Madagascan land reforms, focused on granting rural farmers land ownership rights. Property rights are a central feature of effective markets because clearly-defined ownership encourages investment in the land, and this raises productivity and offers the potential for people to break out of the poverty trap. 

This BBC article looks at how rising fertiliser prices have affected global agriculture, noting that dramatic rises in fertiliser prices in the developed world may well be a good thing, in driving farmers towards alternatives, with chemical fertiliser potentially being seen as a demerit good. 

However, it may be a bad thing in developing economies, where lower incomes, lower levels of demand may mean that chemical fertilisers are actually under-consumed. It also highlights the impact of the Sri Lankan ban on chemical fertilisers and the adverse effect that this has had on agricultural productivity there. 

Technology and development - always a favourite. In this BBC piece, the impact of technology on South African farmers is examined. Clearly, commercial agriculture will be able to obtain economies of scale; however, this article looks at whether technology, and agri-tech start-up Khula! can offset these cost advantages.  

This FT clip looks at the rise of Brazil as an agricultural powerhouse, as well as the fact that small-scale farms - which represent 80% of all farms, and produce 23% of output - might be missing out.

They only receive 14% of all investment in the sector, and this means that they are under-represented in this regard, imperilling them. The clip looks at how the private sector has stepped in to support them in the absence of the proper support from the financial sector. Even so, this lack of appropriate investment has increased inequality and increased poverty. 

The net effect of global heating for European farmers isn't going to be positive, according to the European Environment Agency.

However, whilst this sounds plausible, it would be interesting to see how we 'know' this. Can we have definitive estimates about future weather patterns, about future improvements in agricultural productivity? It begs some interesting questions about how we know these things.

A staggering FT clip looking at one of the biggest challenges facing society: how to feed the world by 2050, with the population likely to have reached 10 million.

This looks at innovative methods of farming and producing staple crops that might enhance agricultural efficiency to such an extent that this is feasible.

This World Bank clip looks at the role of property rights in fostering development. The faster registration of land in Indonesia - the world's 4th most populous country - will ensure greater security of tenure, enhance agricultural investment, and boost sustainable growth. 

This World Bank clip looks at a three-pronged approach to poverty reduction in Indonesia, arguing that creating better opportunities boosting productivity, improving social protection and financial inclusion and developing a fiscal system that supports pro-poor policies will all help.

As usual, the distributional effects of economic shocks and natural disasters in the economy fall more heavily on the poor, and adopting the usual policies to help them, including fostering higher agricultural productivity, and providing better quality childcare to increase female participation in the labour force will all help in this regard. 

Singapore is looking to enhance its food security by using technology and innovative indoor farms to produce vegetables in the island state. It's looking at utilising the most efficient farming methods and enhancing agricultural productivity. 

This World Bank clip looks at the impact of World Bank investment in coffee and cocoa production in Papua New Guinea, underpinned by investment in infrastructure and creating functioning co-operatives, both of which have increased returns to agriculture, boosting development. 

Another clip showing the importance of irrigation to food security and, by definition, development. This time the World Bank is funding work in Afrghanistan.

Excellent World Bank clip looking at how Africa's recovery will need to focus on upskilling the work force, particularly women and girls, in new digital technologies. 

The widespread adoption of the latest technologies have the capability of enhancing development post-pandemic. 

This World Bank clip looks at how the World Bank is providing phone support to farmers - another innovative solution, hopefully boosting agricultural productivity and overcoming the difficult security situation.

Another innovative approach to a developmental problem.

This World Bank looks at the importance of agriculture and rising agricultural productivity in fostering Vietnamese development.

It highlights the importance of the sector and the potential disadvantages that  restrict the impact of Vietnamese agriculture as well as the policy changes needed to maximise its value.