The World Bank, in partnership with the Government of the Philippines, represented by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Economics and Development Authority (NEDA), will hold a conference on “Agriculture for Development: Seizing Opportunities and Managing Risks” on December 7, 2007, from 8am to 12 noon. The event will be held simultaneously in four major cities (Davao, Manila, Dumaguete and Baguio) and will be broadcast via videoconference.
The event will tackle the major messages presented by 2008 World Development Report (WDR): Agriculture for Development. The report underscores the continuing indispensability of the agriculture sector for rapid and inclusive growth and calls attention to various persistent as well as emerging issues that it must address. It therefore also
appeals to developing countries to make smarter and greater investments in agriculture in order to realize their full development potential and meet the millennium development goals (MDGs) of halving extreme poverty and hunger by 2015.
The highlights of the report will be presented by two of its authors. Reactors were also invited to present the views of the National Government, civil society, fisherfolk, private agribusiness groups, and local governments, after which, the public will be invited to participate in the discussion.
Live webcast can be accessed here