Supporting pro-poor growth processes: Implications for donors: Policies and programmes to strengthen the productive capacities of poor people

This briefing paper discusses policies and programmes to strengthen the productive capacities of poor people, arguing that reducing poverty depends, to a large extent, on reducing rural poverty. Evidence suggests that increases in agricultural productivity are closely related to poverty reduction. However, whether or not poor rural people can access markets and services to identify and grasp opportunities greatly depends on the availability and quality of infrastructure and on the institutional environment.