Matin Qaim

German food systems and development economist (born 1969) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Matin Qaim (born 20 December 1969, Mainz, Germany) is Schlegel Professor of Agricultural Economics and Director at the Center for Development Research (ZEF) of the University of Bonn, Germany.[1][2] His research focuses on issues of food security, food system transformation, and sustainable development.[1]

Born (1969-12-20) December 20, 1969 (age 56)
Mainz, Germany
EducationUniversity of Bonn University of Kiel
InstitutionsUniversity of Bonn, University of Goettingen, University of Hohenheim
Joachim von Braun
Quick facts Born, Education ...
Matin Qaim
Born (1969-12-20) December 20, 1969 (age 56)
Mainz, Germany
EducationUniversity of Bonn University of Kiel
Scientific career
InstitutionsUniversity of Bonn, University of Goettingen, University of Hohenheim
Joachim von Braun
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Qaim was elected as a Member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina in 2018[3] and as a Fellow of the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) in 2019.[4] In 2024, he became President of the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE).[1][5]

Early life and education

Matin Qaim earned his MSc from the University of Kiel in 1996 and his doctoral degree in agricultural economics from the University of Bonn in 2000.[1] His doctoral supervisor was Joachim von Braun. Qaim did postdoctoral work at the University of California at Berkeley from 2001-2003. In 2003, he received his habilitation from the University of Bonn with his venia legendi in agricultural and development economics.[1]

Career

Qaim served as Professor of International Agricultural Trade and Food Security at the University of Hohenheim from 2004-2007. He was Professor of International Food Economics and Rural Development at the University of Goettingen from 2007-2021. He joined the Center for Development Research (ZEF) at the University of Bonn, Germany, as Director in 2021.[1][3]

Research

Qaim specializes in food security, food system transformation, and sustainable development.[1] He is known for his meticulous analysis of the economics of agricultural biotechnology, connections of farmers to global value chains, and linkages between agriculture and nutrition.[6]

Qaim argues that higher-yield genetically modified crops can be used to reduce land usage and greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture.[7][8] He also supports the use of modified crops such as Golden Rice, which has a higher beta-carotene level than conventional rice, as a source of Vitamin A to address micronutrient malnutrition.[2][9] Qaim is a member of the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board.[10]

Qaim recommends a balanced approach to sustainable consumption of meat and other animal-sourced foods. Pointing out that existing meat prices do not reflect their high environmental cost, Qaim calls for significant reductions in meat consumption in wealthy countries, where per capita consumption levels are high.[11][12] In poorer countries, where per capita consumption levels are much lower, improving access to animal-sourced foods can help improve healthy nutrition, especially among children.[13][14] Qaim also analyzes possible synergies and tradeoffs between the health and environmental dimensions of dietary change.[15]

In a related strain of research, Qaim analyzes links between the diversity of food systems and various planetary health outcomes. For instance, unlike often assumed, he argues that increasing the diversity of smallholder farms in Africa does not necessarily improve diets and nutrition.[16][17] While farm diversity is linked to nutrition in remote subsistence settings, improving smallholder access to markets and enhancing the functioning of markets for nutritious foods are generally more effective strategies to increase dietary quality and promote socioeconomic development.[18][19] Qaim is Director and Spokesperson of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC 1780) "Food System Diversification for Sustainable Nutrition (FoodDiverse)" at the University of Bonn, which is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and implemented jointly with the University of Ghana.[20]

Awards and honors (selection)

Selected publications

Books

  • Qaim, Matin (2000). Potential impacts of crop biotechnology in developing countries. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang. ISBN 0-8204-4830-3.
  • Qaim, Matin; Krattiger, Anatole F.; von Braun, Joachim, eds. (2000). Agricultural biotechnology in developing countries: towards optimizing the benefits for the poor. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers. ISBN 0-7923-7230-1.
  • Qaim, Matin (2016). Genetically modified crops and agricultural development. Palgrave Studies in Agricultural Economics and Food Policy (AEFP). doi:10.1057/9781137405722. ISBN 978-1-349-95844-3.

Papers

References

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