Completed The DAC/POVNET Agriculture Task Group is currently working on a programme of policy development which seeks to address the changing context for agriculture in developing countries and to establish what policy implications these changes have for donor policies for poverty reduction. The Group will identify how donor policies should be adapted to promote pro-poor growth agriculture development in the new context by in-depth assessments of four main themes: changing demand and supply; global food chains; linkages between rural and urban areas; and chronic poverty.

Completed Since the implementation of the Economic Reform Programme, the smallholder farming sector has experienced a reduction in government expenditure on research and extension, and a squeeze on credit. This research project aims to investigate how this may have contributed to a reversal of the growth and development of this sector and whether these initiatives have enabled smallholder farmers to increase output and take advantage of new market opportunities.

Completed To understand the factors that shape the policy environment, as well as the drivers and potential drivers of institutional change in the agricultural sector in Kenya. The key findings of the study were: *the importance of developing voice; *the need for widespread stakeholder consultation in developing policies; *the importance of linking the policy and budgetary processes; *the minimisation of government regulatory activities; *donor co-ordination around shared themes. To contribute to developing a more informed approach in supporting reform within the sector.

Current Agricultural development policy must simultaneously improve smallholder productivity and address long-term environmental concerns. Much of the recent interest in sustainable agriculture focuses on technologies that feature low external input strategies. These rely on local resources, particularly knowledge and labour; encourage adapting solutions to individual farm conditions; and promote a vision of farm stewardship.

Completed There is a great deal of verbal argument that poor agricultural policies have hindered agricultural growth in Africa but, there is little empirical work.This project will be able to use about 20 years of data for around 30 countries to estimate the effects of agricultural price policy, infrastructure investments, R&D extension, and some other elements of policy - hopefully credit will be included.

Completed To develop and manage a dedicated information service for the Water Conservation in Agriculture (WCA) Global Water Partnership (GWP) associated programme. The service will select, review and deliver carefully targetted, quality-controlled information from an international network of partners. The information will include synthesised knowledge and capacity building information in WCA in particular, and sustainable food production in general.

Completed West Africa is the poorest region of the world, and in most countries the majority of the population depends on rainfed agriculture. Chronic malnutrition is a constant feature of rural life in many areas, partly because agricultural productivity is so low. Technology is generally available to increase productivity, but a combination of political insecurity, failing infrastructure, and inadequate development of the institutions of civil society have made the transfer of knowledge to poor farmers slow or ineffective.

Miscellaneous Woodhouse, P.; Howlett, D.; Rigby, D. 2000 A framework for research on sustainability indicators for

Completed To understand the factors that shape the policy environment, as well as the drivers and potential drivers of institutional change in the agricultural sector in Kenya. The key findings of the study were: *the importance of developing voice; *the need for widespread stakeholder consultation in developing policies; *the importance of linking the policy and budgetary processes; *the minimisation of government regulatory activities; *donor co-ordination around shared themes. To contribute to developing a more informed approach in supporting reform within the sector.