Many developing countries are currently in the process of restructuring their economies towards a more market-oriented production. This process had been initiated inter alia by efforts under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to progressively liberalize international markets. More than 100 developing countries are now Members of the WTO. Since its establishment in early 1995, it became evident that progressively subjecting national production to market forces can have both positive and negative effects on Members’ economies, societies and environment. In the case of agriculture, especially developing countries—some of which have shares in rural population of sometimes more than 70 per cent—are facing problems to ensure that.
