PRODUCTIVITY, GROWTH AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN RURAL PAKISTAN

The Pakistan Strategy Support Program (PSSP), a country-led and country-wide policy analysis and capacity strengthening program implemented by IFPRI and its partner Innovative Development Strategies (Pvt) Ltd. (IDS), hosted its first Annual Conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, on December 13-14, 2012. The two days' conference provided a platform for participants from various research institutions, universities, government and donor agencies to discuss major imperatives for economic research in Pakistan, including rural household welfare, roles of public and private investment in agricultural research,  development strategy, fiscal and macro-economic policy, water system, and mainstreaming research into policy reform in Pakistan.

The presentations and working papers from the conference could be found on PSSP Website.

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About The Pakistan Strategy Support Program (PSSP):

The PSSP, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), seeks to create a more favorable enabling environment for investment and enterprise growth, particularly in the agricultural sector. Responding to a request from the Government of Pakistan, the Pakistan Strategy Support Program (PSSP), launched in July 2011, is a flexible country-led and country-wide policy analysis and capacity strengthening program. The program provides analytical support on a range of economic policies affecting agricultural growth and food security in the country. The core purpose of the program is to contribute to pro-poor economic growth and enhanced food security through strengthened national capacity for designing and implementing evidence-based policy reforms. This requires improving research-based policy analysis; building capacity, leadership and networks among researchers and policy analysts within and outside the government; and disseminating research results among diverse stakeholders. It is being implemented through close collaboration between IFPRI, Innovative Development Strategies (Pvt) Ltd. (IDS), and other collaborators, under the guidance of a high-level National Advisory Committee.