The Importance of Agriculture for Development: A Review Article on the Role of Agriculture in Economic and Social Development Based on the Human Development of South Asia Report 2002

Abstract

The Human Development of South Asia 2002 Report is of special interest to agricultural economists as it more or less redefines the role of agriculture in development. It argues the case for continued development of agriculture as the only means by which poverty and human degradation could be reduced. The message of the Report is strong and clear. high levels of human development cannot be achieved if development priorities do not focus on the occupation of the people - both farm and non farm ‐ and where they live rural areas. The significance of the Human Development of South Asia 2002 Report is that it focuses on agricultural and rural development as the means by which human development could be achieved in South Asia. It analyses the reasons for the persistence of poverty, poor human development indicators and the inability to raise the poor from their misery and comes to the conclusion that without agricultural and rural development the causes of poor human development indicators cannot be eradicated. It is strongly of the view that the economic development strategies adopted in recent decades by South Asian countries were unable to reduce poverty and household level food security owing to inadequate growth in agriculture. Although promoting economic growth and even increases in agricultural and food production, they were incapable of promoting the welfare of a sizeable proportion of the population. The report is of the view that poverty, hunger, malnutrition and the poor human development indicators that are largely a rural phenomenon cannot be resolved by mere overall economic growth, though overall growth is indeed vital. It argues for a new thrust in agricultural development that alone can address these issues. This thrust requires more resources into research, an effective linkage in research and extension and more effective marketing channels for agricultural produce. In other words it argues for a much stronger institutional support for agriculture. what has to be done in Sri