2007 Spring Meetings

Briefing on the World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Development

Monday, April 16, 2007

Derek started his presentation by giving the audience an introduction to the WDR. It is a flagship Report released annually by the World Bank. The WDR takes stock of current and emerging development issues and is considered one of the most widely read and influential reports on global development. Reports in recent years have addressed the role of youth and how to improve the quality of government services.

Derek explained that consultations on the WDR 08 started last year and that meetings with a variety of stakeholders including representatives from governments, research centers, NGOs, and farmers organizations were held in Nairobi and Bamako amongst others. An electronic consultation on the draft Report was held from April 9 -20th 2007, and the meeting’s participants were invited to sign up for this consultation. The World Bank Board will discuss the draft produced following these consultations in June 2007, and the final Report is expected to be launched right before the IMF/WB Annual Meetings in mid-October 2007.

The key finding thus far in the draft WDR 08 is that agriculture has a central role in the development agenda, given that 75% of the world’s poor live in rural areas and most of them are involved in agriculture. However its potential is underused, as there is relatively very little spending and investment in agriculture in developing countries. But new opportunities are emerging for agriculture, with increase in global demand for such products as. horticulture and bio-fuels, which can significantly increase production and market share in developing countries. Technological and institutional innovations are also improving the supply side of agriculture for developing countries. Along with these opportunities are challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and poor governance. The draft report seeks to define a new agricultural agenda that involves improving livelihood, reducing  poverty, and recognizing the important gender dimensions at the household level. It concludes that agriculture policies can be particularly effective for development by jump starting growth and poverty reduction, addressing rural—urban disparities, and improving local, national, and global governance. 

Discussion

A number of important concerns and issues where raised by participants and discussed with the WDR Team after the presentation.  Concerns were expressed about the report’s perceived lack of clarity on such issues as agricultural subsidies, support for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and lack of an explicit endorsement for fair trade. Derek responded by stating that the report would indeed support agricultural subsidies for poor farmers if were de-linked from exports.  With regard to GMOs he said that the report takes a middle ground in this ongoing debate.  While it agrees with many CSOs that alternatives to the market dominance of large biotech industry need to be found, the report also states that GMOs can benefit small farmers if managed properly.   On fair trade, while acknowledging its benefits, the report questions how economically substantial and sustainable fair trade can be once it is scaled up. 

In his closing remarks Derek Byerlee thanked participants for their participation and stated that comments from civil society had already improved the draft report. He also invited them to participate in the next rounds of consultation on the report including the ongoing electronic consultation.

(Prepared by Guggi Laryea, World Bank)

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