Top experts on agriculture, environment and economics from all
over the world reached a consensus in Beijing on Saturday on the
future action needed for promoting agricultural and rural
development in this century to reduce hunger and poverty while
protecting the environment.
Hartwig De Haen, assistant director general of economic and
social department of the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), said the consensus, known as Beijing Consensus,
calls on governments across the world to recognize the vital role
of agriculture and rural communities in overall economic growth and
sustainable development.
The consensus addresses the emerging challenges facing
agriculture in the rural areas of developing countries, including
urbanization and its impact on food demand and supply systems as
well as trade liberalization and its consequences for the poor.
The document was finalized on Saturday evening after two-day
discussions by about 30 experts from India, the United States,
Kenya, China, the Philippines, and the World Bank, the World
Conservation Union and the Global Trust for Genetics Resources.
The meeting was held by FAO in cooperation with the Chinese
Ministry of Agriculture with funding from the Government of
Italy.
The consensus says that urbanization "leads to a rapid shift in
food consumption, in terms of quantity, quality and product
diversity which could lead to lower consumption of locally produced
food in areas impacted by globalization," which could lead to
reduced growth opportunities for small farmers.
The Beijing Consensus reaffirms the Doha Development Agenda,
which recognizes the food security and rural development needs of
low-income countries and urges that these countries be allowed
adequate flexibility to deal with sudden and significant import
surges.
On the environmental front, the consensus calls for rural
societies to be the primary custodians of local eco-systems.
"Conservation and sustainable management of natural eco-systems
is the best insurance against the depletion of future resources,"
according to the document.
(Xinhua News Agency September 11, 2005)