54. The Conference considered the key issues affecting poverty reduction and food security with special reference to the significant role of sustained and broad-based economic growth.4 The Conference acknowledged that countries that had recorded strong economic and agricultural performance over substantial periods of time had made impressive progress in addressing poverty and food insecurity.
55. Delegates noted that, notwithstanding decades of unprecedented growth, serious poverty and food insecurity remain. Nearly three-quarters of the world's poor reside in the region. The Conference was particularly disturbed by the adverse impacts of poverty and food insecurity on pregnant and nursing women, infants and children.
56. Delegates recognised the largely rural nature of poverty and food insecurity and emphasised that agricultural and rural development were the keys to poverty reduction and sustained food security. Successful experiences of countries in the region had illustrated the benefits of focusing on, and empowering, the rural poor. Delegates stressed that empowering the rural poor means bringing them into the mainstream of development and ensuring that they share in the gains. Delegates also stressed the relevance of the Millennium Development Goals.
57. The Conference endorsed empowerment of the rural poor as a key approach for sustained and rapid poverty reduction and enhancement of food security. There was consensus that devolution of decision-making authority and development resources to community levels is crucial to the empowerment process.
58. The Conference agreed that strategies, which rest on a comprehensive mix of complementary elements of empowerment, are far more effective than those which attempt to address problems independently. To further this approach, the Conference urged countries to adopt public policies and programs to ensure that the rural poor have access to productive resources such as land, water and capital as well as support services like research, extension, marketing, credit, etc. Delegates also stressed the importance of the social aspects of empowerment and the value of participatory involvement in policy and program decision making.
59. The Conference requested FAO to provide technical support and organize resources to assist member countries in conducting agriculture and rural sector reviews, including assessment of policy issues and options for food security and poverty reduction. The Conference particularly noted the need for FAO support in analysing options for overcoming market constraints, removing domestic distortions and inefficiencies, addressing market imperfections and improving competitiveness, both domestically and internationally.
60. The Conference urged FAO to provide technical assistance and advice and to strengthen country capacities, in areas related to agri-business development and rural extension.
61. Delegates urged FAO and member countries to integrate gender considerations into the processes of empowering the rural poor and drew attention to the FAO Gender and Development Plan of Action adopted at the thirty-first FAO Conference in November 2001.
62. Delegates noted with concern the potential risks associated with the widening information and technology divides between the rural poor and the non-poor, leading to poverty traps and greater inequalities. The Conference encouraged FAO and member governments to identify practical ways and means (both modern and traditional) to bridge information and technology gaps for the benefit of the rural poor.
4 APRC/02/4
