Future of family farming: report on IIED's work 2000-05

Many governments in the Sahel are pursing radical agricultural reform. Policies to support modernisation of the sector and promote large scale commercial enterprises are seen as crucial to increasing agricultural productivity and reducing poverty. But will it work?

Debate continues on the appropriateness and feasibility of this policy direction. Some fear it will increase poverty, while others claim that modernisation through foreign investment is the way forward. This is the final report of IIED’s programme on the Future of Family Farming. This initiative contributed this discussion by providing case study material and enabling partners to debate these issues at local, national and international levels.