For futher information contact: Mark Lundy or Carlos Felipe Ostertag

Agroenterprise Well-being and the Protection of Natural Resources

The modernization of the State is closely linked to the phenomenon of “globalization” in developing countries.  Within this framework, the privatization policies of agricultural research and extension services, together with administrative decentralization, have noticeably affected the way in which rural development is being confronted.

Decentralization in the planning of rural development activities, with greater participation in decision making at the local level, is observed.  Moreover, local, governmental, and nongovernmental institutions are playing an ever-larger role in the generation of alternative technologies and agricultural extension.

Levels of Community Well-being and Conservation

A central concern, especially in fragile ecosystems where farmers of limited resources predominate, is how to improve well-being levels of communities, with equity and without degrading natural resources to achieve sustainable development.

The objective is to provide a general frame of reference that develops and integrates the components of the agroindustrial system at the local level and, thus, permit better planning, organization, and execution of its activities to increase competitiveness.

System components include the existing rural agroindustry, services that support it, and a project portfolio of pre-investment and research that has, as its goal, the development of new opportunities, once these have been identified and assessed.

Lines of Action in Integrated Production Projects and Local Support Systems

The principles, sequences in decision making, and interinstitutional schemes necessary for designing and executing agroindustrial projects need to be developed at two levels:

• Agroenterprise, where the functions of production, processing, and market development must be integrated with appropriate business organization and effective interinstitutional support.

• Microregion (i.e., geographical area with natural, political, economic, or social boundaries); where an appropriate support system for promoting rural agroindustry must be identified, strengthened, and developed. The components of this system include delivery of support services and of local and interinstitutional mechanisms that identify, prioritize, and develop opportunities for research and investment projects.