Trade and Related Policies for Decent Rural Employment

Abstract

The agriculture sector accounts for the vast majority of employment and output in most developing countries. Trade in agricultural products has the potential to significantly impact rural employment, incomes and poverty, by affecting the availability and price of food, as well as wages in this sector. To achieve positive growth and employment outcomes, development strategies should involve improved consideration of both agricultural trade policies and domestic agricultural policies. Moreover, a key consideration in designing the optimal policy package should be the level of development of a country’s agriculture sector, and the stage of structural transformation in an economy.