Publication: Tapping the Potential of Bolivia's Agriculture and Food Systems to Support Inclusive and Sustainable Growth
Date
2019-06
ISSN
Published
2019-06
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
Agriculture and the rural space will
continue to demand the attention of policy makers in Bolivia
for several reasons, even as urbanization gains momentum.
First, agriculture is a proven engine of economic growth.
Aside from showing its strength in decades past, in recent
years agriculture shielded the Bolivian economy from the
worst effects of the decline in other primary sectors, and
in the future, healthy rates of agricultural growth will
make the overall economy more diversified and more
resilient. Second, a robust and dynamic agricultural sector
will continue to curb dependence on the mining and gas
sectors, while contributing significantly to inclusive
growth, value addition, the creation of more and better jobs
on and off of the farm, and better nutrition for all. Third,
because agricultural growth in Bolivia has proven to be
pro-poor, maintaining that growth is essential for continued
reductions in poverty. Fourth, because climate and other
shocks affecting agriculture can significantly disrupt
steady gains in economic growth, poverty reduction, and food
security, building a resilient agricultural sector is
critical to sustain those gains. Finally, although policy
makers will want to support agricultural growth, they will
not want that growth to compromise the future for
generations of Bolivians by squandering and degrading
irreplaceable natural resources.
Citation
“World Bank. 2019. Tapping the Potential of Bolivia's Agriculture and Food Systems to Support Inclusive and Sustainable Growth. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/35369 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”