Subprogramme 12.Special programmes fortheleastdeveloped andisland developing countries Subprogramme 13.Statistics Subprogramme 14.Transport andcommunications Subprogramme 15.Womenindevelopment 31.9Subprogrammes 5(Humanresource development) and12(Special programmes for theleastdeveloped andislanddeveloping countries) aredesignated highpriority. B.Subprograromes SUBPROGRAMME 1.AGRICULTURAL ANDRURALDEVELOPMENT (a)Objectives 31.10 Thelegislative authority forthesubprogramme isCommission resolution 45/4 of5ApriJ1989. 31.11Thereisaneedfordocumentation, evaluation andwidedissemination of information onissuesofnational policy andplanning foragricultural production andagri-business development inordertostimulate actionandtobringabout adjustment ofpolicies, planning andprogramming. Inspiteofthenotable achievements ofmanymembers andassociate members invarious subsectors of agricultural development duringthepastdecades, further efforts arerequired to dealwithproblems ofproductivity, nutrition andtheenvironment, givingemphasis toimproving cropyieldswithincreased andbalanced useofmodern farm technology. Experience oftheprevious decades hasconsistently demonstrated that theruralpoorhaveoftenbeenleftoutofthedevelopment process despite an overall increase infoodproduction. 31.12 Theobjectives ofthesubprogramme are: (a)Further toimprove foodandagricultural development policyandplanning through analysis, training andtheexchange ofexperience withregardtothe implementation ofgovernmental strategies inthoseareas; (b)Toenhance regional andinterregional co-operation oncritical farm inputs, including theirmanagement andlogistics, institutional mechanisms and related matters, through humanresources development, technology transfer andother appropriate co-operative action; (c)Toimprove thecapacity ofmembercountries toalleviate theproblem of ruralpoverty bygiving emphasis toproductive organizations fordisadvantaged groups, mobilization oflo~alresources, participation ofthepoorand disadvantaged groupsincluding womenandyouth,agrarian reform, ruralinvestment, marketing andcreditfacilities andrelated matters inthespiritoftheProgramme -5- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld LibraryofAction adopted bytheWorldConference onAgrarian Reform andRuralDevelopment, especially through co-ordinated collaborative efforts amongthemembers ofthe United Nations Interagency Committee onIntegrated RuralDevelopment forAsiaand thePacific. (b)Courseofactionofthesecretariat 31.13 ESCAPwillcontinue toreviewthepolicies andprospects inregardto implementing foodandagricultural development strategies inmembercountries. It willfocusonwaysandmeansofovercoming constraints toenhancing crops assessment systems andtothefoodsupplysituation through agricultural diversification anddevelopment ofsecondary cropssuchascoarsegrains, rootsand tubercrops. Betterdistribution policies, planning andmanagement willbe encouraged through regional consultations, studytoursandexchange ofvisits. It willcontinue tocollect, collate anddisseminate relevant information through regular andadhocpUblications. 31.14Critical elements ofagricultural development needing special attention include thefollowing: support forincreased andbalanced useofyield-increasing agricultural inputs andinnovative institutional mechanisms forprocurement, supply, marketing anddistribution oftheseinputs. ESCAPwilldesign, through its ESCAP/FAO/UNIDO Fertilizer Advisory, Development andInformation Network forAsia andthePacific, aseriesofintercountry activities including information services andtraining inthefertilizer sector. Theagricultural requisites scheme forAsia andthePacific willcontinue topromote information onandsafeuseof agro-pesticides assupport totheimplementation oftheFAOInternational Codeof
**Analysis**
This text appears to be a report or program document focused on agricultural development, with a specific emphasis on improving food and agricultural development policy and planning, as well as addressing rural poverty and environmental concerns. The text mentions the importance of modern farm technology, crop yields, and the use of fertilizers, which suggests a strong connection to the agriculture sector.

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