Nutritional impact of food policies: Experiences from Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines
1989
McIntosh, C.E. (Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute, St. Augustine (Trinidad and Tobago))
An analysis of food production, imports and long term food price movement was undertaken using time series data. Using pre-tested questionnaires, national surveys were conducted. The food policies and programmes in Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are very similar. Producers' subsidies include low interest credit, duty-free and tax concessions on selected production inputs, and the provision planting material and various services at subsidized prices. Imposition of duties, taxes and quantitive restrictions on competing imports. The failure of the agricultural sector in these islands has necessitated the importation of the bulk of the food supply. From the analysis the implementation of policy options to improve the distribution system and the food and nutrition situation should include: the establishment of viable family farms, education of farmers about subsidy programmes and the proper use of the subsidized inputs, an appropriate tax levied on competing imports would improve the competitiveness of the local farmers, irrigation programmes for Antigua and improve marketing arrangements in St. Vincent, enforcement of price controls and nutrition education to improve diets and nutritional status.
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