Message from the Secretary of State for International Development, Hilary Benn MP

"DFID’s recent e-forum on ‘new directions for agriculture in reducing poverty’ (http://dfid-agriculture-consultation.nri.org) proved to be an innovative and effective way for interested parties to tell us what they believe we should be doing, what they think we do well and what we might do better. The event took full advantage of the internet’s potential to break down boundaries of distance and professional discipline, and provided a neutral space for wide-ranging and thought-provoking discussion.

It was a truly global debate between 550 subscribers who provided nearly 700 contributions, with the largest group of subscribers located in sub-Saharan Africa. Discussion provided a range of diverse views on how poor people might benefit more from agriculture, and the ideas and practical case studies offered provide a valuable source of learning.

The e-forum forms part of a longer consultation process on DFID’s approach to agriculture that will extend throughout 2004 (http://dfid-agriculture-consultation.nri.org/summaries/dfid_factsheet.pdf). This will include a new Working Paper series on Agriculture and Poverty Reduction, and will culminate in the publication of our new Guidelines for Agriculture. There will be further opportunities to comment on our policy as it develops, and I hope you will continue to maintain the impressive level of participation that this process has achieved so far".

HILARY BENN
July 2004