Cash crops, household food security and nutrition

Evidence on the impact of cash cropping on household food security and nutrition is mixed, but does not support their wholesale condemnation. Indeed, what the malnourished need is an entitlement to food that cash crop income can help to provide. In addition to the physical characteristics of the crop and whether it is a food crop or not, what is important is the policy conditions under which the crop is introduced. Good marketing systems are likely to overcome food shortages that non-food cash crops can generate. Typologies are proposed that should help in identifying the outcomes of cash crop adoption.