'Biofuels have forced global food prices up by 75% - far more than previously estimated - according to a confidential World Bank report obtained by the Guardian.

The damning unpublished assessment is based on the most detailed analysis of the crisis so far, carried out by an internationally-respected economist at global financial body.'

'What are the impacts of the increasing spread of biofuels on access to land in producer countries, particularly for poorer rural people? Biofuels could revitalise rural agriculture and livelihoods – or, where there are competing claims on land – exclude poorer land and resource users. This study documents current knowledge on current and potential impacts of commercial biofuel production for access to land in Africa, Latin America and Asia, charting both negative experiences and promising a more...

New poverty estimates published by the World Bank reveal that 1.4 billion people in the developing world (one in four) were living on less than US$1.25 a day in 2005, down from 1.9 billion (one in two) in 1981.

The new numbers show that poverty has been more widespread across the developing world over the past 25 years than previously estimated, but also that there has been strong—if regionally uneven—progress toward reducing overall poverty.

Looking at the new estimates from the persp more...

In this article titled 'Direct Cash Transfers: No Magic Bullet', Mihir Shah provides a critique of the existing literature on various schemes, which have been launched by the Government of India, and which have failed miserably to uplift the poor due to poor planning, strategy and mismanagement. Shah emphasizes upon the role of accountability and transparency (such as social auditing) so that the money or the kind of service (being provided by the government) reaches the beneficiary, without any more...

'Much attention has been focused on rural areas, yet the contribution post offices make to urban areas has been overlooked.  In fact, post offices in urban areas have borne the brunt of recent closures. The last post provides new evidence of the vital social and economic role of urban sub post offices.  The report says that they play a particularly valuable role in deprived urban areas, and outlines the new threats that they now face from changes to the post office network.'
This is a New Eco more...

The effects of economic reforms in developing countries and former socialist economies undertaken in the last quarter century or so have been accompanied by a wide variety of growth outcomes. Growth success stories are relatively few: China, Chile and some other countries. In contrast, stories of bumpy growth, stagnation and growth crises have been, unfortunately, more common. In turn, reforms have been accompanied by significant increases in per capita income inequality in Russia and China, but more...

This link leads one to the overview of the Report of the Growth Commission

Scientists believe that the number of large fishes in oceans have fallen by 90 percent since the 1950s. Even the species at the bottom of the sea are prone to un-regulated approach to fishing. However, the case of the Village of Andavadoaka, in remote southwest Madagascar illustrates that fisher community can help preserve the marine reserve, if they are convinced the resulting advantages of doing so.

When farmers get access to credit and reliable storage facilities for their grain, it gives them the option to sell it when they can get the best price. The warehouse receipt system, introduced in some districts of Tanzania through an IFAD-supported programme, is now being introduced throughout the country by the government.

Even though least developing countries have posted their highest economic growth rate in 30 years between the year 2005 and 2007, there may still be reason for serious concern since an economic model based only on commodity prices may leave the country is question very vulnerable. Besides, rising commodity prices are no substitute to long-term investment in infrastructure and capacity builing, that are imperative for sustained development.