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An empirical assessment of the effects of electricity access on food security

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  • Candelise, Chiara
  • Saccone, Donatella
  • Vallino, Elena

Abstract

Energy access, as defined in SDG 7, is a consistent component of decent livelihood and is therefore strictly connected to the fulfillment of the broad goal of sustainable development. While it may have significant impacts on various dimensions of development and sustainability, this study focuses on its effect on the level of food security of the overall population (SDG 2). Although there are many reasons to suppose that electricity access is positively related to food security, such impacts are expected to accrue through both immediate and income-mediated routes whose size and prevalence are unknown. The immediate impacts of electricity access on food security refer to the effects on food production (availability) and on food conservation and preparation (utilization). Income-mediated impacts include cross-sectoral productivity increases and the creation of new economic activities, generating new income that, in turn, would improve the economic access to food.

Suggested Citation

  • Candelise, Chiara & Saccone, Donatella & Vallino, Elena, 2021. "An empirical assessment of the effects of electricity access on food security," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:141:y:2021:i:c:s0305750x21000024
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105390
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