• http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0013227

Trapido, Paul, et al. (2016). IDB Agrimonitor - Producer Support Estimates (PSE) Agricultural Policy Monitoring System: Data. IDB Open Data. https://doi.org/10.60966/riqdhpkr

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What is Agrimonitor?

Agrimonitor is the IDB’s Producer Support Estimates (PSE) / agriculture policy indicators database for Latin America and the Caribbean. It tracks country-level support to agriculture, showing both the magnitude and composition of that support.

What countries and years are covered?

Agrimonitor covers numerous countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its temporal coverage spans from 1986 to 2023.

What key indicators does Agrimonitor include?

The database provides:
- Total PSE (Producer Support Estimate)
- Disaggregated support types (e.g., market price support, input subsidies, direct payments)
- Composition metrics showing how support is allocated across categories

What is the data structure?

Data are organized at the country–year level, meaning each record represents one country in a given year and includes associated PSE indicators.

What limitations or caveats exist?

• Some countries or years may have missing or incomplete data.
• Disaggregation relies on national reporting quality and consistency over time.
• Policy definitions and measurement methods may shift over time, so comparability must be used carefully.

What research or policy uses does Agrimonitor support?

Agrimonitor enables:
- Cross-country comparison of agricultural support structures
- Trend analysis of policy support across decades
- Impact assessments of support composition on production incentives
- Evidence-based guidance on agricultural policy and reform

What are agricultural policy indicators and why are they used?

Agrimonitor tracks indicators such as Producer Support Estimates (PSE), Nominal Rate of Protection (NRP), and General Services Support Estimates (GSSE). These indicators quantify the magnitude and composition of government support for agriculture, helping policymakers evaluate the impacts of subsidies, trade distortions, and long-term sustainability.

What are the main metrics for measuring government support to agriculture?

The dataset includes:
- PSE (Producer Support Estimate): measures transfers from consumers and taxpayers to agricultural producers.
- NRP (Nominal Rate of Protection): compares domestic producer prices to international reference prices.
- GSSE (General Services Support Estimate): captures public expenditure on services like research, infrastructure, and inspection.

What is the process of calculating Producer Support Estimates (PSE) in farming?

Agrimonitor calculates PSE by aggregating market price support, budgetary transfers, and other subsidies. It expresses support as a percentage of gross farm receipts, allowing cross-country comparisons.

What is the difference between market price support and direct payments to farmers?

• Market Price Support (MPS): arises when domestic prices are maintained above international levels through tariffs or quotas.
• Direct Payments: are budgetary transfers to farmers, often decoupled from production, such as income support schemes. Agrimonitor distinguishes these categories in its PSE composition.

How can researchers use agricultural policy data for economic research?

Researchers can use Agrimonitor to:
- Benchmark subsidy levels across Latin American countries.
- Analyze the fiscal burden of agricultural support.
- Compare IDB data with OECD frameworks for the global context.

How does Agrimonitor provide producer support estimates for countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico?

Agrimonitor provides country-level PSE data since 1986, enabling analysis of trends in agricultural subsidies across Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and other LAC economies.

What are the trends in agricultural subsidies in LAC countries in 2024?

The IDB dataset shows variation in subsidy intensity, with some countries maintaining high market price support while others shift toward decoupled payments and GSSE investments.

How does Agrimonitor calculate the Producer Support Estimate (PSE)?

It aggregates transfers from policies affecting prices and budgetary outlays. The PSE is expressed both in monetary terms and as a share of gross farm receipts.

Why is monitoring agricultural public expenditure important for food security?

Agrimonitor data helps governments assess whether subsidies improve productivity and resilience or distort markets. Transparent monitoring supports better allocation of resources to ensure food security.

How does Agrimonitor’s methodology compare with the OECD’s agricultural policy monitoring framework?

Agrimonitor adapts OECD’s PSE framework to Latin American contexts, ensuring comparability while incorporating regional policy nuances.

How do the agricultural support levels between Brazil and Mexico compare using Agrimonitor?

Brazil’s support often emphasizes market price interventions, whereas Mexico relies more on direct payments. Agrimonitor data allows side-by-side comparisons of subsidy composition.

How can policymakers use Agrimonitor for national budget planning?

By analyzing PSE and GSSE trends, policymakers can determine whether spending is skewed toward price supports or long-term services, guiding reforms toward greater efficiency and sustainability.

What is the definition of Producer Support Estimate (PSE) within the AgriMonitor framework?

PSE represents the annual monetary value of gross transfers from consumers and taxpayers to agricultural producers, expressed as a percentage of gross farm receipts.

How does AgriMonitor calculate the Nominal Rate of Protection for agricultural products?

NRP is calculated by comparing domestic producer prices to international reference prices, adjusted for exchange rates and quality differentials.

What are the components of AgriMonitor's General Services Support Estimate (GSSE)?

GSSE includes expenditures on agricultural research, extension services, infrastructure, inspection, and marketing support — all of which are non-direct transfers to farmers.

What is the history and evolution of the AgriMonitor initiative by the Inter-American Development Bank?

Launched in 2016, Agrimonitor builds on OECD methodologies but focuses on Latin America and the Caribbean, expanding coverage to regional crops and policy contexts.