75% of the world's poor live in rural areas. The Bank's approach to rural development is holistic and multi-sectoral, focused on improving the well-being of rural people by building their productive, social, and environmental assets.
World Development Report 2008
Agriculture for Development. In the 21st century, agriculture continues to be a fundamental instrument for sustainable development and poverty reduction. The 2008 World Development Report examines what agriculture can do for development, how agriculture-for-development agendas can best be implemented, and the most effective ways to use agriculture for development and poverty reduction.