The Challenge of Ending Rural Poverty

Abstract

IFAD believes that the only way to reach the international poverty reduction target is to focus on rural development: in the early stages, with a strong focus on the production of food staples on small farms; in later stages, with more attention to commercial crops and the non‐farm sector (itself strongly linked to agriculture). The key interventions are: better access for the poor to assets, especially land, water and human capital; improved technology, both ‘old’ and ‘new’; better access to markets; and reform of institutions through decentralisation and devolution ‐ all designed to achieve rapid reduction of poverty, through employment intensity and the exploitation of local linkages with agriculture. IFAD’s approach and experience lay particular stress on supporting women and minorities.