Good governance is widely acknowledged as an important factor for eradicating poverty and promoting development. Policies and institutions needed to reduce hunger and poverty can be hampered by weak state capacity, mismanagement, and corruption, and poor governance reduces the effectiveness of public investment in agricultural infrastructure and services. Smallholder farmers, who typically lack a political voice, are particularly affected by poor governance.

The Governance for Agricultural and Rural Development program within the Development Strategy and Governance division conducts research on governance structures and policy processes that improve agricultural productivity and promote rural development. The program specifically focuses on

1. the governance of agricultural sector institutions
2. decentralization and local governance and
3. agricultural and development policy processes.

The program addresses and fills the knowledge gap on effective strategies to reduce hunger and poverty by improving governance and policy processes in the agricultural sector.

Project Overview and Rationale