DFID uses a range of evidence synthesis approaches to address the challenge of providing decision makers with the evidence that they need to make better choices. The "evidence paper" is an expression of the opinion that DFID has of the existing evidence on a given subject.

These papers, written by staff members of DFID, provide summaries of evidence underpinning a range of debates related to agriculture and economic growth. The authors do not attempt to prescribe policy conclusions and these are policy documents, and are not meant to represent DFID's policy position.

Agriculture is and will continue to be critical to the futures of many developing countries. This may or may not be because agriculture can contribute directly and/or indirectly to economic growth. But it will certainly be critical because poverty is still predominantly a rural phenomenon and this looks set to remain for the next two decades at least.

Cross posted from Department for International Development Research and analysis: Agriculture and Growth evidence paper series