Are farmers in Africa Disconnected from Market Signals?

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) pointed out in 2008 that increased food prices were attributable to a fall in cereal production due to bad weather, low stock levels, petroleum prices, increased demand for bio-fuels, economic growth in emerging economies and trade policies banning food exports (IFAD; accessed May 24, 2011). In their communiqué early this month, the Asia – Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) called for an open and transparent trade to promote food security  (APEC.org; accessed May 24, 2011). APEC noted that information sharing on market conditions and right market based price signals to farmers drive up production and investment decisions.