stabilization programmes. Macro-economic policy reforms couldsucceed onlyifthey removed disincentives toagriculture, particularly intheformofunfavourable real producer prices. However, fiscalrestraints oftenreduced theresources available forsupporting theagricultural sector. Structural adjustment andstabilization programmes musttherefore beimplemented withandsupported byadequate external resources inordertopromote thegrowth oftheagricultural sector, andtheymust ensure minimum levels offoodsecurity andsocialservices soasnottoinflict unduehardship onthepoor. 29.Education andtraining atalllevels andmaximum popular participation in development werealsoessential inordertorealize thegrowthpotential ofa population. Agricultural research anddevelopment anditsapplication through extension activities werealsonecessary. 30.Improved access toproductive inputs, including inputdelivery systems, must begivenhigherpriority, andgreater efforts mustbemadetobringsmallproducers intothemainstream ofagricultural development. Improvements inrural infrastructure werealsoindispensable foraccelerating agricultural growth. In orderforagricultural strategies toensure thenecessary sustainability, theymust alsobecomplemented bypolicies toprovide alternative meansofsurvival forthe poorandtoslowdownpopulation growth. Sustainability wouldalsorequire a substantial increase ininvestment. 31.Turning totheexternal economic environment, hesaidthatunsustainably high levels ofdebtservice hadgreatly undermined foodsecurity inmanydeveloping countries. Financial constraints hadlimited foodimports andimports essential to agricultural development, anddwindling inflows hadexacerbated thegeneral inadequacy ofproductive investment inthosecountries. 32.Improved conditions forinternational tradeinfoodandagriculture mustalso becreated. Thetendency forcertain industrialized countries togenerate structural surpluses ofcommodities underhigh-cost support regimes, andto subsidize exports attheexpense ofcompeting, cost-effective exporters, mustbe reversed inordertoexpand thedeveloping countries' markets fortheirtraditional agricultural exports. Barriers totradeincertain products alsorequired remedial action. 33.Evenifremedial measures couldbesuccessfully negotiated, however, many low-income countries wouldstillneedimproved infrastructures andinstitutional capacities inordertotakeadvantage ofmarketopportunities. Liberalization of theglobalagricultural trading system mightalsoraiseprices forbasicfoodsto levelsthatwouldseriously disadvantage netfOOd-importing developing countries. Remedial action musttherefore include special anddifferential treatment for developing countries, exportdiversification, measures toincrease productivity and competitiveness, andcompensatory arrangements. Greater attention mustalsobe paidtoenhancing andstabilizing export earnings fromthedevelopingA/S-18/AC.l/SR.l English Page8 (Mr.Dutia, FAO) traditional commodity exports. Lastly, increased external development assistance wasalsocrucial foragricultural andruralgrowthinthedeveloping countries. 34.Mr.DEARANJO (Conference ofNon-governmental Organizations inConsultative Status withtheEconomic andSocial Council) saidthatnon-governmental organizations weredeeply committed tointernational co-operation andthegoalsof economic development. NGOshadmademajorcontributions toahostofUnited Nations conferences ondevelopment issuesheldinthepasttwodecades. Theyalso hadconsiderable practical experience tocontribute, especially giventhenew emphasis onpopular participation andtherecognition thattheimpactof development onpeople wastheultimate measure ofitseffectiveness. Themeeting roseat4.20p.m.
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges and opportunities for agricultural development in developing countries, highlighting the need for macro-economic policy reforms, structural adjustment, and external resources to promote growth and food security. It also touches on the importance of international trade, education, and rural infrastructure. The text seems to focus on the economic and social aspects of agriculture, rather than its environmental or cultural implications.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Economic development, International trade