Climate risk and food availability in Guatemala. (2nd August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vargas, Renato; Cabrera, Maynor; Cicowiez, Martin; Escobar, Pamela; Hernández, Violeta; Cabrera, Javier; Guzmán, Vivian
• Is Part Of: Environment and development economics. Volume 23:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 558
• Page End: 579
• Publication Date: 2018-08-02
• Subjects: Agricultural employment, -- climate change, -- computable general equilibrium, -- farm household, -- farm input markets, -- natural resource; R15, -- R22, -- Q12; Economic development -- Environmental aspects; 330.9
• DOI: 10.1017/S1355770X18000335
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-770X

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, we use a computable general equilibrium model to simulate the effects of drought and a decrease in agricultural productivity caused by climate change in Guatemala. A reduction in agricultural productivity would mean a considerable drop in crop and livestock production, and the resulting higher prices and lower household income would mean a significant reduction in the consumption of agricultural goods and food. The most negative effects of a drought would be concentrated in agriculture, given its intensive use of water. Because agricultural production is essential to ensuring food availability, these results suggest that Guatemala needs a proper water-distribution regulatory framework.