They often lack sufficient incomes or access to credit to purchase appropriate tools, inputs, and technology. In many cases they do not own the land or do not reap the benefits of conservation practices. In the developing countries women usually have the major burden for providing agricultural labor, preparing food in the home, and caring for the children. Providing women with educational opportunities, access to resources, and access to income is essential to improving agricultural productivity and family nutrition. Parents in poverty tend to have many children because infant mortality is high and because they need the insurance of knowing that some of their offspring will provide for them in old age.
Population control is an essential part of the solution to the long-term food problem.
This requires educating young girls and making reproductive health services available. Infrastructure needs must also be addressed. Irrigation schemes can be crucial to long-term agricultural sustainability. Roads are needed to get food and agriculture products from rural areas to the cities. But governments must not overlook the importance of agricultural research, extension services and training of farmers, and participation of farmers in finding sustainable solutions to the problems associated with increasing agricultural production.