Top experts on agriculture, environment and economics from all over the world reached a consensus in Beijing on Saturday on the future action needed for promoting agricultural and rural development in this century to reduce hunger and poverty while protecting the environment.

Hartwig De Haen, assistant director general of economic and social department of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said the consensus, known as Beijing Consensus, calls on governments across the world to recognize the vital role of agriculture and rural communities in overall economic growth and sustainable development.

The consensus addresses the emerging challenges facing agriculture in the rural areas of developing countries, including urbanization and its impact on food demand and supply systems as well as trade liberalization and its consequences for the poor.

The document was finalized on Saturday evening after two-day discussions by about 30 experts from India, the United States, Kenya, China, the Philippines, and the World Bank, the World Conservation Union and the Global Trust for Genetics Resources.

The meeting was held by FAO in cooperation with the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture with funding from the Government of Italy.

The consensus says that urbanization "leads to a rapid shift in food consumption, in terms of quantity, quality and product diversity which could lead to lower consumption of locally produced food in areas impacted by globalization," which could lead to reduced growth opportunities for small farmers.

The Beijing Consensus reaffirms the Doha Development Agenda, which recognizes the food security and rural development needs of low-income countries and urges that these countries be allowed adequate flexibility to deal with sudden and significant import surges.

On the environmental front, the consensus calls for rural societies to be the primary custodians of local eco-systems.

"Conservation and sustainable management of natural eco-systems is the best insurance against the depletion of future resources," according to the document.

(Xinhua News Agency September 11, 2005)