The role of government Countries that have achieved greater national and household food security generally have a track record of strong political emphasis on agriculture, careful consideration of economic incentives for agricultural production and human and economic investments in research, extension and training. To spark a new green revolution, national governments will need to work with civil society and the private sector in several key areas, including: Policies - Establish reasonable and decentralized taxation systems and support policies that provide more open access to markets and fair and predictable prices for produce. Ensure that high priority is given to national and household food security in national development policies. Create an environment where smallholders, particularly women, can gain access to credit, markets and institutions and have secure land tenure. Research - Work to ensure a clear focus on poverty alleviation in international research efforts. Give priority in research and investment to applications such as biological pest and weed control and IPM that can give higher and environmentally sustainable yields with low inputs, as well as to methods adapted to vulnerable and marginal areas. Agricultural research tends to get dwarfed by other priorities. The United States, for example, spends $35 billion per year for defense research, $14 billion for space and $12 billion for health, but only $1.2 billion for agriculture. Extension - Improve extension service, training and research facilities, including national universities, targeting efforts at those who do not have secure access to food. Studies have shown that extension can play a vital role in promoting new methods and technologies. Most countries allocate less than half the recommended 1 to 2 percent of agricultural gross domestic product for extension. FAO has advised that some 1.25 million extension workers will be needed by the turn of the century, more than double the 600 000 in 1989.