To make the decisive shift toward markets, national governments must become convinced that fundamental structural changes are in their national interests. Accepting this will not always be easy, and in that regard donors will need to play more aggressive and vigilant roles. Producers, the private sector and agribusiness investors, NGOs, and universities in developed and developing countries will also have to play mutually beneficial roles. The role of the market becomes a paramount consideration. Agricultural and rural development become essential for generating broad-based economic growth.
Agriculture requires a vision that transcends traditional sector approaches based on production.
A pervasive import-substitution legacy should be overcome to optimize responses to the new economic order. New public and private roles are required to facilitate investments and equity needs. Donor countries should fashion appropriate commitments for the new opportunities and needs now prevailing. Foreign aid programs must transcend assistance premises to embrace opportunities for mutually beneficial growth. It is time to move beyond the macropolicy environment that is now in place throughout the world and enter into a series of complementary, sector-specific activities.