CID Archive: Events Archive: Past Conferences

Raising Agricultural Productivity in the Tropics: Biophysical Challenges for Technology and Policy

16 October - 17 October 2000
Center for International Development, Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Hosted by the Center for International Development at Harvard University

Conference Summary

A conference on "Raising Agricultural Productivity in the Tropics" was held at the Center for International Development at Harvard University on 16-17 October 2000 to consider the implications of international differences in biophysical conditions for agricultural technology and policy in the tropics.

The objective of the workshop was to bring forward new data and ideas to help:

• identify the economically relevant differences in biophysical conditions around the world,
• analyze their effects on productivity in agriculture and the whole economy, and
• prescribe appropriate responses through agricultural research and government policy.

The workshop brought together leading scientists and policy analysts to present and debate their work on key topics including:

• climate and moisture
• soils and nutrients
• pests and diseases
• crop choice and management
• genetics and input response
• food and agricultural policy
• trade and macroeconomic policy

An on-line discussion on these themes provided a written record of viewpoints and debate, to be edited and published along with the principal papers presented at the conference.

 

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