U.S. Foreign Assistance to Agriculture: A Proposed Redirection

Changing attitudes towards international assistance and decreased development financing necessitate new programming approaches to insure effective utilization of limited resources. Falling world food production growth rates in the face of increasing demand and increased stress on natural resources, make the acceleration of technological improvements a critical factor in maintaining and increasing the availability of food supplies in both food deficit and food surplus countries. The United States has historically demonstrated an ability to strengthen institutional capacity for agricultural research and extension in other countries. However, this requires continuity and stability in bilateral support. Renewal of efforts in this direction will yield long-term benefit for the United States in agricultural trade, resource conservation, and domestic food costs