Barnett, Daniel J. (author), Balicer, Ran D. (author), Blodgett, David W. (author), Everly, George S. Jr. (author), Omer, Saad B. (author), Parker, Cindy L. (author), and Links, Jonathan M. (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2005-11
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 140 Document Number: D05985
Chowdhury, Shyamal (author), Negassa, Asfaw (author), and Torero, Maximo (author)
Format:
Research report
Publication Date:
2005-10
Published:
International: International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 102 Document Number: D10927
Notes:
Food Consumption and Nutrition Division Discussion Paper 195 and Markets, Trade, and Institutions Division Discussion Paper 89. 44 pages., This paper examines how market institutions can affect links between urban and rural areas with specific emphasis on goods market integration in the national context. Traditionally, development researchers and practitioners have focused either on rural market development or on urban market development without considering the interdependencies and synergies between the two. However, more than ever before, emerging local and global patterns such as the modern food value-chain led by supermarkets and food processors, rapid urbanization, changes in dietary composition, and enhanced information and communication technologies point to the need to pay close attention to the role of markets both in linking rural areas with intermediate cities and market towns and promotion of economic development and poverty reduction. This paper begins with a presentation of a conceptual framework of market integration and then identifies five major factors that increase the transfer costs that subsequently hinder market integration between rural and urban areas: information asymmetry, transaction costs, transport and communication costs, policy induced barriers, and social and noneconomic factors. Five specific cases in five developing countries are examined in this study to demonstrate the primary sources of transfer costs and the aspects of market institutions that are important to market integration and promotion of rural-urban linkages. While emerging institutions such as modern intermediaries linked to supermarkets and food processors can reduce information asymmetries between rural producers and urban consumers, existing institutions such as producers’ cooperatives can pool the risks, increase the bargaining power of small producers, reduce enforcement costs, and thereby reduce transaction costs. In addition, new types of partnerships between businesses and NGOs, and between public and private sectors, can improve infrastructure provision which, in turn, can reduce transport and communication costs. To the contrary, the presence of inappropriate policies or noneconomic factors such as those that involve social exclusion take on a negative role in linking urban and rural markets.
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Makati City, Philippines.
Format:
Article
Publication Date:
2005-05-04
Published:
Philippines
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 155 Document Number: C25264
Notes:
Retrieved September 16, 2006, Center web site. 5 pages., Reports on the shooting of journalist Marlene Garcia Esparat for reporting about allegged malfeasances of local Department of Agriculture officials.
Committee to Protect Journalists, New York City, New York.
Format:
Article
Publication Date:
2005-04-11
Published:
Afghanistan
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 155 Document Number: C25268
Notes:
Retrieved September 16, 2006, Via CPJ web site. 1 page., Brief notice that rural reporters in Afghanistan remain at risk of threats and violent attacks in reprisal for their work.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 155 Document Number: C25270
Notes:
Retrieved September 16, 2006, Via organization web site. 5 pages., Notes that since February 1,"reporting from rural and remote areas of the country has become even more dangerous. Reporters are risking their lives, without having proper security and insurance for their lives. Dozens of journalists have been picked up by the security forces and interrogated. Some were held for only a few hours, but 10 remained in custody in mid-April."