This report on Agricultural Workers and their Contribution to Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development focuses on the 450 million women and men who are employed as waged agricultural workers, and who are at the very heart of the food production system. Beyond forming the core of the rural poor, this workforce is disadvantaged in other respects. It is among the most socially vulnerable, the least organized into trade unions, is employed under the poorest health, safety and environmental conditions, and is the least likely to have access to effective forms of social security and protection.