Year of publication 1998

---

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

---

Pages 371

---

Author Agriculture and Economic Development Analysis Division;Nutrition Division

---

Product type Book (series)

---

Series title The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA)

---

Series number 814539

---

Edition 1

---

Synopsis (short abstract) This year’s report confirms that, in a long-term perspective, the poorest nations’ populations have become increasingly poor and food-insecure, pointing out that this unacceptable trend has continued in recent years. The country policy reviews suggest that the promotion of rapid, equitable and broad-based growth remains a difficult challenge. However, growth and equity, far from being horns of a dilemma, are equally essential elements of a sound development strategy. Their achievement requires a genuine commitment to alleviating poverty and addressing social needs, and we must welcome all efforts that are being made in this direction by many countries, especially those in Africa. At the same time, in most countries growth-cum-equity can only be achieved by following a strong, rural-oriented development strategy involving large investments in rural infrastructure, human capital and social services. Rural development and poverty alleviation are central issues of this year’s special chapter, entitled “Rural non-farm income in developing countries”.

---

Language English

---

Also available in:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• Spanish

---