Challenges for the agricultural sector in developing Mediterranean countries.

Abstract

This is the third of the ICARDA Social Science Papers Although not the biggest sector in monetary terms, agriculture is integral to the economies in developing Mediterranean countries (DMCsl). Proof of this is the way fluctuations in crop yields caused by the weather are reflected in countries' economies as a whole. The sector's performance is, therefore, critical, as the region has some of the highest population growth rates in the world: the population of the DMCs, about 200 million today, is expected to rise to 315 million in 2020. Moreover, these countries are poor and have large and increasing debt problems. Without substantial growth in the agricultural sector, things will get a lot worse.