This book presents the proceedings of a conference held near Washington, DC (Airlie, Virginia) to discuss the need for innovative new approaches to rural policy. U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan opened the conference by stressing the crucial importance of flexibility in enhancing...

Building on the path-breaking work Multifunctionality: Towards an Analytical Framework, this report takes the subject a step further. It attempts to guide policy-makers to the best possible decisions taking account of the multifunctional character of agriculture

Low incomes and high unemployment in rural areas are issues of concern to policy makers in all countries. With the ongoing structural adjustment in primary agriculture employment opportunities are diminishing, while off-farm employment in rural areas is growing, albeit gradually

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is an important policy for the European Union and accounts for about 40% of the EU budget. Ever since its inception in 1958, the CAP has been regularly reviewed and adjusted to improve its performance and adapt to changing circumstances. At a time when the...