Can intra-regional food trade increase food availability in the context of global climatic change in West Africa?

This paper investigates the role of intra-regional trade on food availability within the context of global climatic change in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). To that end, the study uses a module of trade cost minimization built within a bio-economic optimization model of crop...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Climatic change 2017-11, Vol.145 (1-2), p.101-116
Main Authors: Egbendewe, Aklesso Y. G., Lokonon, Boris Odilon Kounagbè, Atewemba, Calvin, Coulibaly, Naga
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural land
Agricultural production
Atmospheric Sciences
Climate change
Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts
Construction costs
Crop yield
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Economic conditions
Economic models
Economics
Food
Food availability
Food supply
Global climate
Imports
Socioeconomics
Tariffs
Trade
Traditional foods
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Summary:This paper investigates the role of intra-regional trade on food availability within the context of global climatic change in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). To that end, the study uses a module of trade cost minimization built within a bio-economic optimization model of cropland allocation. The results show that the climate-induced trade pattern in ECOWAS depends on the prevailing socio-economic conditions during the century. No specific pattern of trade flows is predicted but several countries may become dependent on food imports outside of ECOWAS. An adjustment of the common external tariffs (CET) may reduce food import costs. Also, doubling crop yields by 2050 could significantly reduce outside dependence. Finally, actions are urgently needed to be taken to foster agricultural production in ECOWAS.
ISSN:0165-0009
1573-1480
DOI:10.1007/s10584-017-2083-0