Fostering global well-being

As the world prepares for the new millennium, all countries are trying quickly to adjust to changing needs within the increasingly mobile global marketplace. After years of structural biases and general disinterest in the developing world's agricultural sector, global trade is now forcing poorer, agrarian-based economies to assess their natural comparative advantages and quickly adapt. Almost revolutionary structures, policies, and strategies are now required to meet such challenges. While the view taken here emphasizes that the changes under way offer considerable opportunities, it also recognizes that many producers and rural residents lack the relevant experiences, skills, and financial support to adjust to the new conditions. Addressing these daunting needs in a comprehensive framework becomes a critical activity for future global well-being. The centerpiece of the new paradigm is the rapid global shift from closed, nationally focused markets (protected and subsidized) to open, global markets (competitive and less subsidized).Agricultural development Rural areas Developing countries. ,Economic development Developing countries. ,

Fostering global well-being: a new paradigm to revitalize agricultural and rural development

In this paper, David Bathrick describes the almost revolutionary changes that have taken place in the economic arena in recent years. This is a story of paradigm shift, where government-led economic growth through the 1970s gave way to the increasingly market-led growth we see now. The emergence of the market in the context of globalization has meant the reduction of biases against agriculture; an emphasis on flexible responses in the production of goods and services; strengthened links between local, national, and international economies; greater integration of different sectors of the economy; and increased importance of the private sector. Bathrick argues that this demand- driven setting is forcing developing countries to assess their comparative advantages in the global marketplace and make fundamental strategic, institutional, and programmatic shifts. The resulting opportunities for growth are considerable, but so is the effort and financial support required to acquire the skills, experiences, and infrastructure necessary to adjust to the new realities. Knowledge of consumer needs, up-to-date market intelligence, and other informational and material resources that facilitate the market system need to be identified and put in place.Agricultural development Rural areas Developing countries., Economic development Developing countries.,

un nuevo paradigma para revitalizar el desarrollo agrícola y rural

Non-PRIFPRI1; 2020DG

a new paradigm to revitalize agricultural and rural development.

As the world prepares for the new millennium, all countries are trying quickly to adjust to changing needs within the increasingly mobile global marketplace. After years of structural biases and general disinterest in the developing world’s agricultural sector, global trade is now forcing poorer, agrarian-based economies to assess their natural comparative advantages and quickly adapt. Almost revolutionary structures, policies, and strategies are now required to meet such challenges. While the view taken here emphasizes that the changes under way offer considerable opportunities, it also recognizes that many producers and rural residents lack the relevant experiences, skills, and financial support to adjust to the new conditions. To make the decisive shift toward markets, national governments must become convinced that fundamental structural changes are in their national interests. Accepting this will not always be easy, and in that regard donors will need to play more aggressive and vigilant roles. Producers, the private sector and agribusiness investors, NGOs, and universities in developed and developing countries will also have to play mutually beneficial roles. David Bathrick addresses a number of conceptual themes for formulating the 21st century’s agricultural development paradigm.Non-PRIFPRI1; 2020DG

un nouveau paradigme pour revitaliser le développement agricole et rural

Alars que Ie monde se prepare au nouveau millenaire, tous les pays s'efforcent de s'adapter a la mouvance des besoins d'un marche mondial dont la mobilite s'accrolt. A la suite d'annees de distorsions structurales et d'un desinteret generalise quant au secteur agricole du monde en developpement, les echanges commerciaux mondiaux obligent aujourd'hui les economies agraires, plus pauvres, a jauger leurs avantages naturels compares et a s'adapter rapidement. Des structures, des politiques et des strategies quasi-revolutionnaires sont maintenant un sine qua non pour relever ces gageures. L'opinion adoptee en la matiere souligne que les changements entrepris offrent de considerables possibilites, I'on se doit egalement de constater que de nombreux producteurs et habitants des zones rurales ne possedent ni I'experience, ni les competences, ni I'appui financier pertinents pour s'adapter aux nouvelles conditions.Non-PRIFPRI1; 2020DG