THROWING LIGHT ON CATS IN THE DARK: AGRICULTURAL ECONOMISTS

SUMMARY This paper explores some of the policy and institutional choices to which the agricultural economics profession has most to contribute over the coming few years. The starting point of the paper is that policy needs to address aims of both efficiency and greater diversity within the sector, diversity being seen broadly as involving a wider range of participants in terms of ethnicity, gender, and aims and resources, as well as large, medium and small producing and service enterprises. The policy agenda is defined (section II) in terms of three linked elements: the analysis and choice of policy and defining a strategic vision; the reform of institutions and organisations; and public expenditure management. In all of these, the paper suggests there is an active role for economists. Policy analysis is discussed in section III. No single definition is found which adequately captures the complex of activities involved. The relationship between political and technical dimensions of policy analysis is disc...