Panama agricultural sector assessment

STAFF MEMBERS IN THOSE COUNTRIES PERIODICALLY CONDUCT STUDIES OF PARTICULAR SECTORS. THIS REPORT PRESENTS THE RESULTS OF AN ASSESSMENT OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR OF PANAMA. SECTIONS OF THE REPORT DISCUSS THE OVERALL ECONOMY, THE STATE OF AGRICULTURE, LAND CAPABILITY AND CLIMATE, KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF FARMING AND LAND USE, THE AGRARIAN STRUCTURE AND RURAL POPULATION, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND TRADE FOR THE PERIOD 1950-1975, PROGRAMS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT SINCE 1970, SECTORIAL PLANNING, RURAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND STRATEGY, CONSTRAINTS ON DEVELOPMENT, AND THE ROLE OF A.I.D. THE CHIEF STRUCTURAL CONSTRAINT IS THE LAND TENURE STRUCTURE. AS LONG AS SOME OF THE CROP LAND IS STILL IN EXTENSIVE PASTURE UNDER THE CONTROL OF OWNERS NOT MOTIVATED TO USE IT FOR MORE PRODUCTIVE PURPOSES, SUBSISTENCE CAMPESINOS WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE EKING OUT A LIVING ON THE HILLSIDES. A.I.D. PROGRAMS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT RURAL-ORIENTED EDUCATION AND HEALTH ACTIVITIES. A.I.D. WILL ALSO CONTINUE JOINING OTHER EXTERNAL DONORS IN SUPPORTING AREA-SPECIFIC AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO CREATE MORE PRODUCTIVE USE OF THE UNDERUTILIZED NATURAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES.