Data or statistical facts on the situation and perspectives of agri-food systems and the impact of policies
30% of the national workforce in Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Paraguay and Peru was from the agricultural sector (ASTI, 2009).
61% of agricultural R&D personnel were employed by the government sector (ASTI, 2009).
40% of ETC researchers were dedicated to crop research and 22% to livestock (ASTI, 2009).
US$3 billion was invested by LAC in agricultural research in 2006 (ASTI, 2009).
$USD2.8 billion (12% of the global total) was spending on agricultural R&D in LAC in 2000 (ASTI, 2009).
83% of agricultural R&D was financed by national governments in LAC in 2006 (ASTI, 2009).
250% increased corn imports in Mexico between 1994 and 2006 under NAFTA framework, showing a significant increase in external dependency (Arroyo, 2009).
1,004,000 hectares of corn ceased to be planted in Mexico between 1994 and 2006, showing a significant reduction in cultivated area (Arroyo, 2009).
200 years after its formulation, the postulates of the classical trade theory by Smith and Ricardo remain valid as a theoretical basis for understanding the gains from international trade (Umaña, 2009).
3 main mechanisms explain the gains from trade: specialization according to comparative advantages, exploitation of economies of scale, and increased productivity through the selection of efficient companies (Umaña, 2009).
