region andwiththesubregional andregional organizations working infields related tothisprogramme. -4-u Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library3.Subprogramme structure andpriorities 33.11 Thepresent programme consists ofthefollowing subprogrammes: 1.Foodandagriculture 2.Economic development 3.Economic andsocial planning 4.Industrial, scientific andtechnological development 5.International tradeanddevelopment finance 6.Natural resources andenergy 7.Environment andhumansettlements 8.Population 9.Social development 10.Statistics andeconomic projections 11.Transport 12.Subregional activities inMexico andCentral America 13.Subregional activities intheCaribbean 33.12 Theprogramme proposes newsubprogrammes 12and13,whichcoverthe activities conducted bythesubregiona1 headquarters inMexico andintheCaribbean inkeeping withtheimportance attached bytheMember Statestotheactivities of theCommission inthesesubregions. 33.13 SUbprogramme 2(Economic development) isdesignated highest priority. B.Subprogrammes SUBPROGRAMME 1.FOODANDAGRICULTURE (a)Objectives 33.14 Thelegislative authority forthepresent subprogramrne derives fromEconomic Commission forLatinAmerica andtheCaribbean resolution 458(XX),paragraph 3; theDeclaration ofRecife adopted bytheTwentieth FAORegional Conference for LatinAmerica andtheCaribbean, paragraphs 3,6,9,10,12,14and15. 33.15 Thenegative repercussions andeffects ofthecrisis andtheadjustment process associated withtheexternal debthaveseverely affected thosewhodepend onagriculture fortheirlivelihood. Since1982,regional agricultural production hasgrownonlyslightly, andhasnotkeptupwiththegrowthofthepopulation. Farmers havehadtofaceadepressed demand foragricultural products andhigher non-wage production costs; thetwofactors together havecausedinstability andin manycasesadeterioration inagricultural profitability. 33.16 Programmes designed topromote agricultural growth andcombatruralpoverty, nutritional deficiency andrapidenvironmental degradation intheecologically fragile rainforest areashavebeenseverely affected bycutsingovernment -5- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Libraryfunding. Alsoaffected havebeenpublicagricultural institutions, whoseoperation hasbeenjeopardized owingtobudgetary cuts,whichhavebeenquitesevereinmany cases. 33.17 Theobjectives ofthesubprogramme arethefollowing: (a)Tosupport thecountries oftheregionindirecting theireconomic and socialpolicies towards abetterbalance between ruralandurbanareasandin adopting, bymanyofthem,aconcept ofruraldevelopment understood notonlyas agricultural progress butasprogress intheotherformsofeconomic andsocial activity, including infrastructure, industries andcommerce intheurbanareas whichprovide services totheruralpopulations; (b)Toassist Governments oftheregioning~v1ngpreferential treatment to small-scale farmers andpeasants withrespect togrowth, technology transfer, incentive andinvestment policies andaccesstolandandwater. Withregardto modernagriculture, whichhasalready acquired considerable capacity toachieve sustained expansion, policymeasures willbeproposed toencourage thefurther development oftheirproductive capacity, thereby lessening theuncertainty ofthe economic environment (forinstance asregards exchange rates) andotherlimitations ontheefficiency ofpolicies whichprovide incentives toproduction, productivity andexports; (c)Toco-operate withtheGovernments oftheregioninincreasing their exportearnings, whichinviewofthecurrent external debtcircumstances has become acritical imperative. Priority attention willbegiventotheexportof agricultural products, inwhichthecountries canbecompetitive inthelongrun. Support willbeprovided forspecific measures aimedatthereplacement of extra-regional imports byagreater volumeofintra-regional agricultural trade; (d)Tosupport national initiatives inordertomakegreater useofexisting
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a programmatic document outlining the goals and objectives of a subprogramme within a larger regional organization. The text discusses issues related to agriculture, economic development, and international trade, and proposes measures to address challenges such as rural poverty, environmental degradation, and external debt.

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