According to an article in the New York times, for the first time in a quarter century the World Bank's annual report on development puts agriculture and productivity of small farmers at the center of the global effort to reduce poverty. This report is titled the World Development Report, and it is the first one on agriculture since 1982. A week prior to the release of the report in October, an internal evaluation criticized the Bank for it's neglect of agriculture and it declining financial support for that sector over the past 15 years.
The report represents an emerging consensus among wealthy nations, African governments, and philanthropist. An increase in public investment in the basics of an agricultural economy, such as scientific research, rural roads, seeds, fertilizer, and irrigation, are essential for helping Africa's poor farmers.
Over the years, foreign aid for agriculture has plummeted as support for global health and education has surged. The fight against many deadly diseases is saving millions of lives, and school attendance is lifting global literacy rates. However most poor Africans make their living through farming and are in desperate need of aid to feed themselves, and to pull themselves out of poverty. The World Bank is not the first to reach this conclusion but it is the world's leading development institution and financier of anti-poverty programs. It plays a unique role in advising countries and its focus on agriculture will likely influence policies across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
I have heard about the World Bank's internal evaluation unit before. I am very pleased to see the Bank following its advice and placing greater emphasis on agriculture. I hope the change will result in increased prosperity for the poverty stricken farmers of Africa.
source:http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/world/africa/20worldbank.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
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