Agricultural Development: Sector Strategy (2000)

This strategy (GN-2069-1) looks at development options for the agriculture sector, which is especially important to small and medium-sized farmers. It aims to facilitate the preparation of loan and technical cooperation programs, improving their quality, and building consensus within the Bank and in the region on the critical issues for sustainable development in the sector. It comprises an integrated multisector approach including actions and instruments to complement major areas of the Bank's work. Certain investment areas include: (i) Consolidation of public policy reforms to ensure the reduction of distortions in markets and international price signals, together with the withdrawal of the public sector from productive and commercial activities, and temporary support for transition programs, with compensatory measures for low-income producers and consumers who are negatively affected by policy reform, and productive support to small farmers; (ii) Modernization and reform of the State and the development of new market instruments; (iii) Development of land markets; (iv) Development of financial markets for productive diversification and modernization; (v) Sustainable use of natural resources, including management of natural forests and comprehensive decentralized watershed management; and of publicly-owned agricultural natural resources including soil and water; and (vi) Strengthening of human resources and the development of rural infrastructure for production and to improve the quality of life in rural areas.