This conference proceedings examines questions revolving around changes in, and challenges for, China’s agro-processing sector.

The pace of growth in China's agricultural sector is remarkable. Determining how this demand for food will be met requires a complex analytical framework whose parameters are the subject of an intense discussion. Thesse workshop proceedings provide a rich repository of material addressing the issue.

China's agricultural production and food consumption have increased tremendously, leading to a complete evolution of agro-food markets. The book is divided into two parts; the first part reviews the theoretical framework for the 'social construction of the markets,' while the second part presents the implication for the agro-food markets in China.

This publication presents a synthesis of the main findings and policy recommendations of China in the World Economy: Domestic Policy Challenges.

China’s leaders face the daunting challenge of feeding the world’s largest population with limited resources. China’s per capita endowment of arable land is low and water scarcity is of particular concern. Not only is China’s endowment of water resources extremely low, but it is also badly distributed, with the North China Plain having one of the lowest per capita endowments in the world. The serious water shortage, particularly in the north of China, is exacerbated by poor efficiency in its use and contradictions in the way water is allocated, distributed and managed. Water pollution is contributing to water shortages as well as increasing the cost of provision of water for agriculture. Since agriculture is the main consumer of water and one of the main users of land resources, China’s future development critically depends on initiatives that will raise the efficiency and efficacy of the use of these resources. In June 2006, the OECD and the Chinese Government invited specialists and experts with a wide range of expertise to address these issues and to provide answers to the following questions: How can balance be achieved between the objectives of expanding food production, raising rural welfare, opening up the domestic market to international trade and protecting the environment? How might policy measures be changed or shifted towards market-based policy instruments to ensure that polluters pay and providers of environmental benefits are rewarded? What would be the best policy mix in China combining taxes and payments, regulations, and voluntary and stakeholder participation in watershed and land resource management to further environmental and social objectives, and long term sustainability? These questions and issues were debated on the basis of the papers reproduced in this publication. They offer the reader timely analytical and policy thinking by a number of highly regarded experts on China’s agri-environmental issues and policies.

World-wide losses of crops, post-harvest, through microbial action,pests, diseases and other types of spoilage amount to millions oftons every year. This essential handbook is the first in athree-volume series which covers all factors affecting post-harvestquality of all major fruits, vegetables, cereals and other crops.Compiled by members of the world-renowned Natural ResourcesInstitute at the University of Greenwich, Chatham, UK, thecomprehensive contents of this landmark publication encourageinteractions between each sector of the agricultural community inorder to improve food security, food safety and food quality intoday’s global atmosphere. Through the carefully compiled and edited chapters,internationally respected authors discuss ways to improve harvestyield and quality, drawing on their many years’ practicalexperience and the latest research findings, applications andmethodologies. Subjects covered include: an introduction to thesystems used in post-harvest agricultural processes, physical andbiological factors affecting post-harvest commodities, storageissues, pest management, food processing and preservation, foodsystems, the latest research and assimilation of this work, andcurrent trade and international agreements. An invaluable glossaryshowing important pests, pathogens and plants is alsoincluded. Crop Post-Harvest: Science and Technology Volume 1: Principlesand Practice is a must-have reference book which offers the readeran overview of the globalisation of post-harvest science,technology, economics, and the development of the storage andhandling of perishable and durable products. Volumes 2 and 3 willgo on to explore durables and perishables individually in moredetail, with many case studies taken from around the globe. This 3-volume work is the standard handbook and reference forall professionals involved in the harvesting, shipping, storage andprocessing of crops, including agricultural and plant scientists,food scientists and technologists, microbiologists, plantpathologists, entomologists and all post harvest, shipping andstorage consultants. Libraries in all universities and researchestablishments where these subjects are studied and taught shouldhave multiple copies on their shelves

This book aims at providing students, experts and practitioners with a detailed overview of agricultural and food security issues in China, analyzed through the lenses of a multidisciplinary approach that enables to fully grasp the current socio-political challenges and lock-ins of agricultural transformation towards more sustainable practices. Confronted to a running decrease and degradation of its resources and rapidly evolving food habits, China became a net importer of food in 2004, and its agricultural balance has since become heavier every day. Beyond providing a comprehensive overview of these stakes, this book also presents consistent and original first hand research material, collected by the author during months of fieldwork in China, in the countryside and from various economic and political circles. Conclusions drawn from this often difficult to access) fieldwork shed light on the whole galaxy of public and private stakeholders taking part in agricultural modernization in China, on their interests and on the patterns of power that underlie the development and implementation of agricultural policies.

The pace of growth in China's agricultural sector is remarkable. Determining how this demand for food will be met requires a complex analytical framework whose parameters are the subject of an intense discussion. Thesse workshop proceedings provide a rich repository of material addressing the issue.

This title was first published in 2003. This prominent and commanding volume collates the best research available on China's agricultural trade. Critically analyzing the agricultural supply and demand factors that underlie trade patterns such as agricultural productivity and policy, it also explores China's agricultural trade and policy including implications for China and elsewhere. Long term issues and productivity growth are taken into consideration, as are specific issues such as WTO accession. The slate of authors combines the leading established scholars in the field and the best of the next generation, including those from China and the West.

Drawing on the experiences of OECD Members over the past 50 years, and the Organisation’s extensive work with non-Member economies around the world, this landmark study provides readers with a comprehensive view of the interrelated domestic policy issues at stake and specific recommendations.