Policy Frameworks for International Agricultural and Rural Development

2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Agriculture is one of the principal drivers of economic development. Macro policies affect it through influence on relative prices. The many challenges within the sector include linking small farmers to value chains, putting land tenure regimes and water management policies on a sound footing, making the agricultural research agenda and agricultural extension respond to farmers' priorities, promoting a stronger role for the private sector, encouraging sustainable development of rural finance, and giving more opportunities to women farmers. Policies are not as effective when aimed at supporting particular crops but more useful when they provide incentives for effective use of basic resources, including land, water, financial capital, and technology.

Policy Frameworks for International Agricultural and Rural Development Chapter