Food riots, starvation, malnutrition, and supply-driven inflation – the global food crisis is upon us. Here one of the world’s leading development economists discusses short-, medium-, and long-run solutions.

Following their suspension in mid- 2006, and their resuscitation in early 2007, the multilateral trade negotiations of the WTO’s Doha Development Agenda appear once more to be on the brink of collapse. Several reasons have been advanced for their lack of success; high on everyone’s list is the central role of agriculture. We ask why a sector that contributes so little to rich countries’ GDP should be able to sabotage global economy-wide trade talks.

To help developing nations, the Doha Round should be wrapped up. Not because it will bring great and immediate pro-development benefits. Rather, it is time to shift the focus to an updated set of issues. Time to declare victory and start thinking about priorities for the next Round.