My research interests focus on economic growth, development, and agriculture, primarily in low-income countries.
Three-quarters of the world's poor depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, and we still have limited understanding of the challenges and constraints that they face. Agricultural science and technology have historically made great contributions to improvements in living standards, for both rural and urban people, but social and environmental impacts have not always been positive.
Apart from the intellectual challenges of studying agriculture in developing countries, it's enormously interesting to talk to farmers and to hear their perspectives on the challenges that they face on a daily basis. Agriculture is an enormously decision-intensive activity, and it's eye-opening when you can listen to farmers discussing in detail the thought processes that go into their decisions: what to plant, when to apply inputs, how you know when to carry out particular activities, and so on. Like entrepreneurs in any sector -- and in any firm size -- they face complex decisions around management of people, uncertainty around prices and demand, shifting policy environments, and more. And like business owners anywhere, farmers often take great pride in showing visitors around and in pointing out the improvements that they have made. I have learned a lot about economics and development from individuals and focus groups who have been generous enough to share their time and knowledge with me and my colleagues.