While the principles of agricultural development are well known - for example, farmers need to be linked to markets and improved technology needs to be provided - their application in particular contexts requires careful analysis. Changes in international markets, supply chains managed by supermarket chains, rising demand for biofuels, the impact of economic growth in China and India, and the looming threat of climate change - all have implications for policy.
Much of ODI's current work on agriculture takes place in association with partners in the Future Agricultures Consortium . Research focuses on the political economy of policy reform, social protection and agriculture, and pathways of commercialisation for small farmers.
Key publications and resources by issue - click for listings
The role of agriculture in promoting economic growth
Linking social protection and the productive sectors ODI Briefing Papers 28, October 2007 Rural employment and migration: In search of decent work ODI Briefing Papers 27, October 2007 Advancing African Agriculture Video blog - Brussels Development Briefings video channel, October 2007 How can the rural poor participate in global economic processes? Briefing paper - ODI Natural Resource Perspectives 103, December 2006 Innovation, agricultural growth and poverty reduction Article - International Journal of Technology and Globalisation 2 (3/4): 281-290, May 2006 Agricultural rehabilitation: Mapping the linkages between humanitarian relief, social protection and development Briefing paper - HPG Policy Briefs 23, April 2006 Restoring Growth in African Agriculture Article - ODI Opinions 45, July 2005 ‘Recognising and tackling risk and vulnerability constraints to pro-poor agricultural growth’ in OECD ‘The New Agenda for Agriculture’ Book chapter, February 2005 Rethinking agricultural policies for pro-poor growth Briefing paper - ODI Natural Resource Perspectives 94, September 2004
Aid to agriculture, and agricultural policy issues
Towards 'smart' subsidies in agriculture? Lessons in recent experience in Malawi Briefing paper - ODI Natural Resource Perspectives 116, October 2008 Accra 2008: The bumpy road to aid effectiveness in agriculture Briefing paper - ODI Natural Resource Perspectives 114, April 2008 Does the policy agenda for agriculture need radical revision? ODI Podcasts audio playlist, December 2007 Funding agriculture: Not 'how much?' but 'what for?' Article - ODI Opinions 86, October 2007 Rural Recovery in Fragile States: Agricultural support in countries emerging from conflict Briefing paper - ODI Natural Resource Perspectives 105, February 2007 Between the CAPs: agricultural policies, programming and the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina HPG Background Papers, February 2007 Donor Policy Narratives: What Role for Agriculture? Future Agricultures Briefing Papers, January 2007 What Role for Ministries of Agriculture in the 21st century? Future Agricultures Briefing Papers, September 2006 The Millennium Villages Project – a new approach to ending rural poverty in Africa? Briefing paper - ODI Natural Resource Perspectives 101, August 2006 Reforming agricultural policy: lessons from four countries Future Agricultures Working Papers, July 2006 Farm Subsidies: a problem for Africa too Article - ODI Opinions 47, September 2005 Responding to HIV/AIDS in agriculture and related activities Briefing paper - ODI Natural Resource Perspectives 98, March 2005 Food Policy Old and New ODI Briefing Papers, November 2003 Rethinking Rural Development ODI Briefing Papers, March 2002
The impact of climate change, including biofuels, on agricultural production
The role of farmers and the private sector in agricultural growth
Seeds, agricultural extension and technological innovation
Plant variety protection in developing countries. A report from the field Article - Food Policy journal Vol 32, pages 354-371, June 2007 Is low external input technology contributing to sustainable agricultural development? Briefing paper - ODI Natural Resource Perspectives 102, November 2006 Innovation, agricultural growth and poverty reduction Article - International Journal of Technology and Globalisation 2 (3/4): 281-290, May 2006 Self-Sufficient Agriculture: Labour and Knowledge in Small-Scale Farming Book, December 2005 Poverty, vulnerability, and agricultural extension: Policy reforms in a globalizing world Book, January 2004 The enabling environment for agricultural technology in Sub-Saharan Africa and the potential role of donors Briefing paper - ODI Natural Resource Perspectives 84, April 2003 Seed Provision and Agricultural Development: The Institutions of Rural Change Book, November 2002 Applications of Appropriate Agricultural Technology and Practices and their Impact on Food Security and the Eradication of Poverty: Lessons Learned from Selected Community Based Experiences ODI Food Security Briefings 3, February 2002 Can biotechnology reach the poor? The adequacy of information and seed delivery Article - Food Policy journal 26: 249-264 (2001), December 2000 GMOs and NGOs: Biotechnology, the policy process and the presentation of evidence Briefing paper - ODI Natural Resource Perspectives 60, September 2000 Coalitions of Interest: Partnerships for Processes of Agricultural Change Book, January 2000
Key events, workshops and conferences - click for details
Key projects - click for details
Despite urbanisation, 75% of the world's poor live rurally, and agriculture remains the largest single contributor to their livelihoods. Agricultural development is therefore of vital importance to the alleviation of poverty in the developing world, both directly (by offering employment) and indirectly (by generating jobs away from the farm and pushing down food prices).