Genetically Modified Rice Adoption: Implications for Welfare and Poverty Alleviation

24 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2016

See all articles by Kym Anderson

Kym Anderson

University of Adelaide - Centre for International Economic Studies (CIES); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); Australian National University

Lee Ann Jackson

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Chantal Nielsen

Danish Research Institute of Food Economics (FOI) - Agricultural Policy Division

Date Written: August 19, 2004

Abstract

The first generation of genetically modified (GM) crop varieties sought to increase producer profitability through cost reductions or higher yields, while the next generation of GM food research is focusing on breeding for attributes of interest to consumers. "Golden rice" has been genetically engineered to contain a higher level of vitamin A and thereby boost the health of poor people in developing countries. Anderson, Jackson, and Nielsen analyze the potential economic effects of adopting both types of innovation in Asia, including its impact on rice producers and other consumers. They do so using the global economywide computable general equilibrium model known as GTAP. The results suggest that farm productivity gains could be dwarfed by the welfare gains resulting from the potential health-enhancing attributes of golden rice which would boost the productivity of unskilled workers among Asia's poor.

This paper - a product of the Trade Team, Development Research Group - is part of a larger effort in the group to understand the global economic effects of agricultural biotechnology policies.

Keywords: Biotechnology, GMOs, regulation, trade policy, computable general equilibrium

JEL Classification: C68, D58, F13, O3, Q17, Q18

Suggested Citation

Anderson, Kym and Jackson, Lee Ann and Pohl Nielsen, Chantal Maria, Genetically Modified Rice Adoption: Implications for Welfare and Poverty Alleviation (August 19, 2004). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=625257

Kym Anderson (Contact Author)

University of Adelaide - Centre for International Economic Studies (CIES) ( email )

School of Economics
Adelaide SA 5005
Australia
+61 8 8313 4712 (Phone)
+61 8 8223 1460 (Fax)

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

Australian National University ( email )

Arndt-Corden Dept of Economics
Coombs Building
Canberra, AK ACT 2600
Australia
+61 8 8313 4712 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://publicpolicy.anu.edu.au/crawford_people/content/staff/acde/kanderson.php

Lee Ann Jackson

World Trade Organization (WTO) ( email )

154 Rue de Lausanne
CH-1211 Geneva 21
Switzerland
41 22 739 6907 (Phone)
41 22 739 5760 (Fax)

Chantal Maria Pohl Nielsen

Danish Research Institute of Food Economics (FOI) - Agricultural Policy Division ( email )

Rolighedsvej 25
1958 Frederiksberg C
Denmark
+45 3 528 6864 (Phone)
+45 3 528 6800 (Fax)

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