ABSTRACT

Much of the reputation of NGOs is based on claims about their ability to reach the poor. Reaching the poor, is not, however, the same as alleviating poverty (and far less eradicating it). In considering the extent to which NGOs’ work with agricultural technology has any impact on rural poverty, we must therefore subject them to a doubly critical appraisal. First, we need to ask how far they do in fact reach the poor, and whether their relationships with rural people are as good as is claimed. Second we need to address how far their work addresses the causes of rural poverty-as opposed simply to treating some of its symptoms. To the extent that their work is wanting in this second respect, then the questions arise as to how far changes in government action and policy may be necessary, and how far NGOs may be able to foster such changes. These questions are dealt with in Chapters 5 and 6.