text: Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library= oftheimportance ofregional developments andissues ofagricultural development andresource use,andtoimpart knowledge onmethods andtechniques forthe efficient planning andmanagement ofagricultural development andtherational exploitation oftheresource potential and,inthisregard, tostimulate economic andtechnical co-operation among ESCWAcountries atthesubregional andregional levels; topromote integrated activities tostrengthen national capacities in agricultural policyanalysis, agricultural planning, project analysis resource conservation, farmmanagement andagricultural marketing and,inthiscontext, to support theinstitution ofanintegrated system fortheco-ordination of agricultural planning intheregion by1995,takingintoconsideration theexisting subregional co-operation councils; topromote theformulation andimplementation of comprehensive foodsector plansorstrategies, takingintoaccount nutrition policies, investment requirements, linksbetween foodproduction andfood consumption systems andtheinstability offarmoutput; andtopromote an integrated approach toagrarian reform andruraldevelopment basedongrowth with equity andlocalparticipation. (b)Course ofaction ofthesecretariat 34.32 Thesecretariat willassist member States intheirefforts toimprove and co-ordinate theirsustainable agricultural andruraldevelopment policies andplans through research, training, meetings andtechnical assistance. Anintegrated system fortheco-ordination ofagricultural planning inther~gion, taking into consideration theexisting sUbregional co-operation councils, willbepromoted by 1995. 34.33 Training inthefields ofpolicy analysis, planning, project analysis, resource conservation, agricultural credit, marketing andfarmmanagement willbe continued through theorganization ofworkshops, andanintegrated framework for theestablishment ofaregional training network inagricultural project analysis willbeformulated by1995. 34.34 Giventheimportance oftheagriculture sector fortheregion, aregional analysis offoodandagriculture performance, policies andstrategies willbe undertaken. 34.35 Thesecretariat willcontinue itsactivities inthemonitoring and management ofaridandsemi-arid ecosystems, andanational planofactionto combatdesertification andaspecific desertification control project willbe formulated during eachbiennium ofthemedium-term planperiod. 34.36Activities forimproving cropping practices aretobedirected towards promoting theuseofappropriate technology atthesmall-farmer level. Special emphasis willbegiventothepromotion ofsmall-farm development through a multidisciplinary farmmanagement approach. 34.37 Studies willbecarried outonanin-depth analysis oftheagricultural sector andthelevel,structure andcharacteristics ofruralpoverty, withaview todeveloping apolicy andprogramming framework forfoodandagricultural production, income-generation fortheruralpoor,thealleviation ofruralpoverty andthereduction ofmalnutrition. Theconcept andprocedures oflocal-level planning willbeintroduced withaviewtoimproving localparticipation in decision-making andinmoreeffective management ofresources. -9- Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Library34.38 Highpriority willbeaccorded toactivities thatstrengthen thetechnical andinstitutional capacity essential foragricultural andruraldevelopment. Special attention willbegiventot~estrengthening ofinstitutions forthe extension services, delivery ofinputs, credit andmarketing. Especial emphasis willbeplaced onthedevelopment ofinstitutional structures thatpermiteffective responses tolocalconditions andproblems, including prudent management of
analysis: The text appears to focus on the development of agricultural sectors and rural areas, with a strong emphasis on policy analysis, planning, and management. It also touches on issues of resource use, conservation, and desertification, as well as poverty alleviation and nutrition. This suggests that the category should be related to agriculture, economic development, and natural resources.