|
     |
April 2004 Agricultural research and extension funding levels required to meet the Anti-Hunger Programme objectivesby Johannes Roseboom
FAO’s Anti-Hunger Programme sets out key actions that must be taken internationally and by countries themselves to achieve the World Food Summit (WFS) target of halving the number of chronically undernourished by 2015. The strengthening of agricultural research and extension is one of the five priority themes formulated by the Programme in order to achieve this goal (FAO 2002). The other four priority themes are: (1) Improve agricultural productivity and enhance livelihoods and food security in poor rural communities; (2) Develop and conserve natural resources; (3) Expand rural infrastructure and broaden market access; and (4) Ensure access to food for the most needy through safety nets and other direct assistance (FAO 2002). These five priority themes should be seen as closely interrelated and reinforcing each other. Hence the strengthening of agricultural research and extension is to be screened nor only for its wealth creation but also for its contribution to food security, poverty reduction, and environmental sustainability. Within this context, this paper addresses the question of how much more should be invested in agricultural research in order to achieve WFS targets.
Click here to view the document in pdf format (244 KB) or here for Word format (525 KB)
|
|
| ||
