This theme area studies the role of government in economic development, poverty, marketing, international trade, and agriculture. This area emphasizes applied micro-economics in analyzing impacts of a wide range of public policies and programs in developing and developed economies. Students and faculty also study the role of interest groups in the development of policies.

Programs

International Food Security at Illinois

IFSI is working to build better food systems in order to reduce world hunger.

Big Data, Food Security and the Environment

This initiative was launched by the International Food Security Program at Illinois with the goal of bringing together researchers and stakeholders to use big data tools to reduce world hunger while improving the stewardship of natural resources.

AgReach

AgReach is a smallholder farming initiative that closes gaps in agrisystems so that smallholder farmers thrive. By maximizing the potential of people and technology, AgReach stimulates growth and increases food security.

Center for Climate, Regional, Environmental and Trade Economics (CREATE)

CREATE is a research center devoted to the study of climate change and environmental accounts based on system-wide techniques developed in regional economics and trade economics.

Soybean Innovation Lab (SIL)

The mission of Soybean Innovation Lab, lead by Director Pete Goldsmith, is to provide researchers, extensionists, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and funders operating across the entire value chain the critical information and technology needed for the successful advancement of soybean development in Africa.