Global Forum on Food Security and NutritionA global knowledge sharing network facilitated by
the Agricultural Development Economics Division of FAO

The NES is a plan of action aimed at achieving the transformation of Dominica‟s export sector. Through this programme, the sector hopes to double its contribution to national income within the medium term, that is, from 2010 to 2014.
The strategy seeks to:

• Create a more systematic and coordinated approach to export development by establishing a central export development management and execution framework, which includes procedures for monitoring outcomes. Such a framework would allow for enhanced synergies especially in promotion planning.
• Undertake detailed value chain analysis to identify priority sectors with maximum potential.
• Establish a documented policy and approach for developing exports of goods and services that have been identified to have maximum growth potential.
• Position Dominica to respond effectively to adverse changes in the international economic environment exacerbated by trade liberalization and the erosion of preferential trade regimes.

Continued population growth, urbanization and rising incomes are likely to continue to put pressure on food demand. International prices for most agricultural commodities are set to remain at 2010 levels or higher, at least for the next decade (OECD-FAO, 2010). Small-scale producers in many developing countries were not able to reap the benefits of high food prices during the 2007-2008 food price crises. Yet, this upward food price trend could have been an opportunity for them to increase their incomes and food security. The opportunity that high food prices could have provided as a pathway out of poverty for small producers was not realized.
Evidence from the ground shows that when strong rural organizations such as producer groups and cooperatives provide a full range of services to small producers, they are able to play a greater role in meeting a growing food demand on local, national and international markets. Indeed, a myriad of such institutional innovations from around the world are documented in this FAO case-study-based publication. Nevertheless, to be able to provide a broad array of services to their members, organizations have to develop a dense network of relationships among small producers, between small-producer organizations and with markets actors and policy-makers.

The purpose of this publication by MONASH University an UNHCHR is to contribute to this process of clarification by explaining universally recognised human rights in a way that makes sense to business.

This publication discusses key issues related to gender equality and rural employment in the context of poverty reduction. It presents various policy responses, empirical data and good practices