A conceptual framework for national agricultural, rural development, and food security strategies and policies

This paper discusses a conceptual framework, developed by the Food and Agricultural Organization, to address food security through agricultural and rural development, and direct actions to enhance immediate access to food.

Highlights of the paper include:

• all relevant parties should be involved in the debate on the definitions of the conceptual framework objectives, helping to rally the political will and promote the consolidation of national alliances against hunger
• strategies should be coordinated with any other related initiatives of local actors and of the international community directed at poverty reduction and the achievement of objectives consistent with the Millennium Declaration
• strategies should include a detailed resource plan
• strategies should also detail the institutional initiatives that will be required for the achievement of the strategic objectives, including new legislation, administrative measures, monitoring system and public sector reforms
• the continuing monitoring and evaluation of the strategies is crucial and should be planned from the outset.

[adapted from author]