World Perspectives

Demonopolization; Bogeyman Strikes Again; False Metrics

Demonopolization  China steadfastly refuses to reduce the number of state-owned enterprises operating in its economy. This reflects its internal politics and patronage. However, it might want to look at similar demonopolization efforts in other countries. As part of its economic reform, Saudi Arabia is moving forward with privatizing various government entities, including the grain agency SAGO. It will sell off the silos and grain but keep subsidies to reduce the cost of food. Under SAGO, the government had pursued unproductive initiatives such as trying to grow wheat in the desert.   Bogeyman Strikes Again A bogeyman is a mythical creature intended to frighten people. The modern-day bogeyman in agriculture is the herbicide gl...

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From WPI Consulting

Forecasting developments in production agriculture

On behalf of a private U.S. agricultural technology provider, WPI’s team generated an econometric model to forecast the movement of concentrated corn production north and west from the traditional U.S. Corn Belt. WPI’s model has subsequently provided quantitative support to a multi-million-dollar investment into short-season corn variety development. WPI’s methodology included a series of interviews with regional grain elevators and seed consultants. Emphasizing outreach and communication with stakeholders who possess intimate sectoral knowledge – on-the-ground insights – is a regular component of WPI’s methodologies, made possible by WPI’s ever-growing network of industry contacts.

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