Toward a medium-term agricultural and rural development strategy

Finally, Chapter 14, “Toward a Medium-Term Agricultural and Rural Development Strategy,” highlights the book’s major themes and discusses implications for policy. In particular, the authors emphasize the importance of continued investments to increase agricultural productivity, market efficiency, and infrastructure (roads, small-scale irrigation, and electricity generation) to support both agriculture and the rural and small-town nonfarm economy. Without these investments substantial poverty increases and growing inequality are likely to result, even if there is rapid overall economic growth.