This research theme focuses in an inclusive way on the developmental roles of markets and the political, infrastructure, and institutional constraints on access to public services by the rural and urban poor.

Access to markets is a major precondition for farmers and rural landless people to overcome subsistence and to enhance their individual economic situation, making them more resilient to fluctuating boundary conditions as induced by global and national changes, for instance under international trade and investment arrangements and related regulatory regimes.

The development of markets is partly related to the expansion of public services, as the latter often serve as a precondition for people to participate in markets. Among public services, particular attention is given to information, education, social transfers, insurance, and health systems.

This webpage provides more information on our:

• Current and past research
• Publications
• Research transfer
• Food security information portal

ZEF researchers comment on current food price dynamics and global food security in the media» more

We discuss the role of financial speculation during the current food crisis in a new Policy Brief.

Policy Brief on Higher and more volatile food prices - Complex implications of the Ukraine war and the Covid-19-pandemic

Joint Policy Brief on Achieving the G7 Elmau Commitment in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Climate Change

"Food Price Volatility and Its Implications for Food Security and Policy"
is now available online. The book is open access so you are welcome to download it. Hard covers can be ordered via Springer.