Acknowledgments -- Foreword -- Abbreviations and acronyms -- Executive summary -- 1. The context -- 2. If rural development is so important, why is it not happening? -- 3. Formulating country strategies and building consensus -- 4. Improving the existing portfolio -- 5. Using the International Arena to Generate Greater Commitment -- 6. Areas of concentration and future directions -- Appendices: A. Focus programs by region -- B. Regional summaries -- C. The International Finance Corporation's vision for agribusiness -- D. The role of the Economic Development Institute's training strategy in agriculture and natural resources -- Bibliography -- Boxes -- Table -- Appendix tables -- Figures -- Appendix figures -- Matrices.

This rural sector strategy outlines the steps the Bank and its partners must take to spur rural development. Key elements of the strategy include (a) taking a broad rural focus, as opposed to a narrow agricultural sector focus, (b) involving the entire World Bank Group in promoting rural development, (c) working with partner countries and the broader international community to integrate rural development in overall country development strategies, and (d) addressing old issues in new ways. The five areas of concentration and future demand are rural strategy and policy formulation; agricultural systems intensification; management of natural resources and forestry; water allocation and management; and local and community development and rural infrastructure. The success of the rural sector strategy will be judged by three main outcomes: the reduction of rural poverty and improved management of natural resources; increased reliance on international markets for food security as well as profitable outlets for enhanced agricultural production; and a decreased number of rural underperformers and dropouts.