ABSTRACT
1.01 According to 1983 estimates [103,104], over 70% of the population in the world's developing countries is rural. In low income countries, agriculture accounts for about 37% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and involves over 70% of the labour force. Agriculture's priority is obvious as a significant area of attention for any programme attempting to improve the well being of the rural poor. In view of the relatively low productivity and efficiency levels in many of these countries, agriculture also represents a major potential avenue for increasing GDP growth.
