establishment of a proper institutional scheme, the strengthening of research, the management of the various forestry areas in the country and, generally speaking, all matters relating to forestry development. 86. The Social Economy Plan seeks to find ways to use technology to increase the agricultural sector's productivity and profitability. To this end a strategy has been developed which involves the processes of technology generation, validation and dissemination. 87. As part of this thrust, the Colombian Farming Institute is the main executing agency for the country's technological development policy and has set up 28 of the so-called Regional Centres for Extension, Training and Dissemination (CRECED), especially in "rehabilitation zones"; and it is expected that by the end of the year, 60 of these will be established. The centres which have already been set up cover more than 400 municipalities situated in 18 departments. 88. The country's research capacity has grown in the last two years. A large number of researchers has been trained, the research infrastructure in the 23 centres and experimental stations has been improved and upgraded, and laboratories and equipment have been purchased and improved. 89. The Ministry of Agriculture and the National Planning Department are developing the "National System for the Transfer of Farming Technology" which will co-ordinate the validation, adjustment, dissemination and technical assistance now being done by various public and private bodies, nationally and regionally. FOREIOSI TRADE 90. The National Planning Department, the Export Promotion Fund (PROEXPO) and the Ministry of Agriculture have set up price stabilization funds for agricultural exports to alleviate the effects of the external price fluctuations of these products. As an export promotion move, PROEXPO has established new lines of credit for pre- and post-shipment, fixed investment and capitalization of marketing companies. Rules and regulations were laid down to govern international marketing companies in order to upgrade and 
**Analysis**
This text discusses the development of Colombia's agricultural sector, including the establishment of institutions, research, and technology transfer. It also touches on international trade and price stabilization funds for agricultural exports. These themes suggest that the text is primarily focused on the development of the agricultural sector, with some overlap into international trade.

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