Global food stamps: an idea worth considering ? Addressing problems of hunger through vouchers

This paper reviews the analytical argument for addressing problems of hunger and food insecurity through "food stamps" or "vouchers" distributed to poor consumers. The author proposes an international scheme establishing a framework through which consumer subsidies could be provided to the poorest consumers in developing countries. The author deems that this could represent a practical tool to enhance access to food globally. The details of such a scheme need to be considered with care: the identification of the problem, the nature of the target group and the instruments used to distribute the cash-vouchers. In addition, the financing of such schemes from international sources, the monitoring and the accountability and the political attraction of the programme have to be considered carefully. In particular, the author looks at examples of food stamps  programmes in the USA, Sri lanka, Jamaica and Mexico. The major conclusions of the document argue that : targeting certain categories of consumers and issuing them with cash with which to buy food is easy to explain to donor countries, is beneficial to both producers and consumers, and is more easily monitored a scheme of this nature could be inked to the particular problems faced by vulnerable groups in situations of food insecurity to increase their access to basic food, linking eligibility and distribution with other social programs addressing the needs of these groups could help in the identification of recipients and the monitoring of effect, such a framework of "food stamp" schemes would be of benefit even in times of low international prices, beside increasing international assistance in times of high prices, similarly, it may contribute to the goal of improving the ability of developing country agriculture to meet the challenges of the future. 

ICTSD - August 2011