An Examination of the Effects of Trade Liberalization on Food Security of Iranian Rural Households

The impact of trade liberalization on macro economic variables in developing countries is one of the main issues that attracts the interest of development economists. Among all the rights that are given to the people of a society, food security is the most important individual need and its provision is the responsibility of states. Food trade is necessary for securing food security. Considering the importance of this issue this study examined the impacts of trade liberalization on food security of rural households using openness index and aggregate household food security index during the period 1983-2006 by applying vector error correction model. The findings indicated that trade liberalization had a mild impact on food security of rural households. This impact was negative in the short term and positive in the long term.