Many small farmers in rural areas depend on agricultural sales for their livelihood to provide for their families. Large numbers of poor families rely on agricultural products for daily nourishment. Unfortunately, in many poor regions, soil conditions, seed supply and other factors are not ideal for successful farming, which leads to poverty in the developing world. Agricultural development promotes the proper conditions for farming so that planting, harvesting and processing of crops can be done effectively, which ultimately can reduce poverty and save lives.
There are many agricultural challenges that the practice of rural development can overcome. Some of the obstacles facing the agricultural industry include soil that might have been damaged by overuse, in addition to shortages in seeds, fertilizers and other irrigation supplies. A farmer's crops must be protected from disease and other threats, such as bugs and extreme weather conditions. Without the development of any of these basic farming components, a farmer cannot sell his or her goods to the market.
Transportation is also a key component to agricultural development. Even if a farmer does grow enough agricultural items to sell, if there is no way to transport these products to the market, the farmer cannot sell the crops and make money. In some regions, problems with roads and infrastructure interfere with a farmer's ability to sell his or her goods. Communication is another component to agricultural practices. This is because in order for a farmers to know the type of crop they must yield to generate a profit, they need to know the market prices for the types of crops they are growing.
Solving these problems is where agricultural development and government funding comes into play. Agricultural development extends beyond the physical conditions of farming and into research, technology and political policy. For example, until some developing nations adopt aggressive funding programs to improve harvesting conditions, agricultural development is limited. There are endowments and foundations, however, that earmark large sums of capital toward improving farming conditions in developing nations.
Advancements in farming technology can result in better yielding crops for small farmers. This is because with the right technological advancements, farmers are able to get more from their land. Proper water purification systems coupled with quality seeds, fertilizers and soil are all necessary for a bumper crop, and all of these components can be enhanced through technological developments. These advancements could have widespread benefits, ranging from higher profits for a farmer to declines in poverty levels and economic growth in surrounding areas.