4 ms·

If they are net consumers of the staple, they must be net producers of some other crops. If the price of the staple increases dramatically, can't they shift to

• lukasb 13y ago
  "If they are net consumers of the staple, they must be net producers of some other crops." Again, those other crops are likely more expensive per calorie. That means there is no mix of consumption that will get them the same amount of calories they previously consumed, which for subsistence farmers will often mean malnutrition if not starvation.
  • Gormo 13y ago
    > those other crops are likely more expensive In terms of effort required to grow those crops, or in terms of market price? If they're growing the crops in order to eat them, the market price isn't relevant (except that if those other crops are expensive on the market, they can sell those for a profit, too).