World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Development

The Report highlights two major regional challenges. In much of Sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is a strong option for spurring growth, overcoming poverty, and enhancing food security. Agricultural productivity growth is vital for stimulating growth in other parts of the economy. But accelerated growth requires a sharp productivity increase in smallholder farming combined with more effective support to the millions coping as subsistence farmers,many of them in remote areas. Recent improved performance holds promise, and this Report identifies many emerging successes that can be scaled up.