Research Topics

EPAR Research Brief #14
Quarterly Commodity Prices Update: Q4 2008
Publication Date: 02/05/2009
Type: Research Brief
Abstract

This quarterly report (Quarter 4, 2008) provides charts of historical and futures price information for key commodities including cocoa, coffee, rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, cashews, crude oil, and fertilizer.  The historical price data is from a variety of sources including the World Bank and the Food and Agricultural Organization. This quarterly update lists average monthly prices through the end of 2008 and, for commodities that are sold on a futures market, projected prices through the end of 2010.  The report provides a concise review of selected market bulletins, explaining broad trends for past volatility and future pricing.  

Research Brief
EPAR Research Brief #13
Using DALYs to Assess Agricultural Interventions
Publication Date: 01/27/2009
Type: Research Brief
Abstract

This brief presents an initial examination of the possibility of using Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) as a way to evaluate agricultural interventions.  We review DALYs, their formulation, and the data necessary to compute values.  A review of relevant literature suggests that to use DALYs as an evaluative tool, an agricultural intervention must be tied to a specific disease, and from there, impacts on DALYs can be assessed.

Full Brief