Many issues in food and agriculture are portrayed as increasingly polarized. These include industrial vs. sustainable agriculture, conventional vs. organic production methods, and global vs. local food sourcing, to name only three. This book address the origins, validity, consequences, and potential resolution of these and other divergences.

Political and legal actions have resulted in significant monetary and psycho-social costs for groups on both sides of these divides. Rhetoric on many issues has caused misinformation and confusion among consumers, who are unsure about the impact of their food choices on nutrition, health, the environment, animal welfare, and hunger. In some cases distrust has intensified to embitterment on both sides of many issues, and even to violence. The book shows that economic principles are used to help readers better understand the divisiveness that prevails in the agricultural production, food processing and food retailing industries.

The authors propose solutions to promote resolution and depolarization between advocates with seemingly irreconcilable differences. A multifaceted, diverse, but targeted approach to food production and consumption is suggested to promote social well-being, and reduce or eliminate misinformation, anxiety, transaction costs and hunger.

Introduces the full range of approaches and topics which constitute agricultural economics (including international trade, agribusiness, environmental econ, natural resources, and international development) and illustrates them through real-world case studies to provide a comprehensive, international and up-to-date introduction to ag econ. Starting from core economic principles, the text explores how micro and macro ideas can be applied to issues, events and decision-making in the agricultural sector which makes this text ideal for ag econ courses where students do not have a background in econ. Written in a succinct and reader-friendly format, this text provides students and instructors with a clear, up-to-date, and straightforward approach to learning how a market-based economy functions.

Many issues in food and agriculture are portrayed as increasingly polarized. These include industrial vs. sustainable agriculture, conventional vs. organic production methods, and global vs. local food sourcing, to name only three. This book address the origins, validity, consequences, and potential resolution of these and other divergences.

Political and legal actions have resulted in significant monetary and psycho-social costs for groups on both sides of these divides. Rhetoric on many issues has caused misinformation and confusion among consumers, who are unsure about the impact of their food choices on nutrition, health, the environment, animal welfare, and hunger. In some cases distrust has intensified to embitterment on both sides of many issues, and even to violence. The book shows that economic principles are used to help readers better understand the divisiveness that prevails in the agricultural production, food processing and food retailing industries.

The authors propose solutions to promote resolution and depolarization between advocates with seemingly irreconcilable differences. A multifaceted, diverse, but targeted approach to food production and consumption is suggested to promote social well-being, and reduce or eliminate misinformation, anxiety, transaction costs and hunger.