In response, governments may favor relief aid that shows an immediate impact on a highly visible problem. Conflicts, food emergencies, and refugee crises combine to crowd out development aid. At the same time, negotiated agreements have won favor as a means of addressing international issues, rather than direct aid. Paradoxically, most negotiated agreements are not underwritten with adequate resources to carry them out. We offer words and wisdom rather than resources.
Exceptions exist to the worldwide trend toward lower development budgets.
Denmark and Norway lead the world in the share of GNP directed to international aid, devoting about 1 percent of GNP and showing no decreasing trends. Sweden and Norway rank second and third, respectively. Some donors are also reviewing their past policies of reducing support for agricultural development. Similarly, the World Bank is reviewing its lending for agricultural development with a view toward expanding it. Increased agricultural production primes the pump for broad economic growth and leads to increased demand for donor country exports, including food products.