The Minister for Development Cooperation (1973 – 1977) Jan Pronk developed the first comprehensive policy framework for bilateral cooperation. This policy focused on support through multiple channels, government to government, engagement and coordination of Dutch NGOs, trade unions and employers organizations. They supported local NGOs, trade unions, employers´ organizations and grassroots organizations in developing countries,
In the 1974 white paper on the effectiveness of Dutch bilateral aid the focus was on self-reliance (at macro and micro levels), improving and expanding poverty reduction efforts as a means to reduce inequality. Rural development and agriculture in particular were considered focal points given the concentration of poverty in rural areas with specific attention for small scale farmers.
In the 1979 Dutch policy note on Development Cooperation in a World Economic Perspective[1], the world food crisis following the hunger crisis due to drought in regions such as the Sahel and the Horn of Africa is seen primarily as a poverty related problem (in addition to trade related disparities between developed countries in the North and developing countries in the South). The note outlines measures to increase food production in developing countries by attending to the needs of the rural poor in terms of access to production factors and markets, knowledge and skills and, where necessary, food aid and ‘food for work’ programs. The policies also focused on reforms of institutions and social and economic policies that would reduce inequalities and promote self-reliance at macro and micro levels with special attention for trade relations that would increase the access of developing countries to food through import. Food import, however, later proved to be a constraint to investments in local food production creating massive dependency on imported products.
At the international level, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was established as a specialised agency of the UN and as an international financial institution in response to a resolution adopted at the 1974 World Food Conference. IFAD started operations in 1978 and focuses specifically on eradicating poverty and hunger, predominantly in remote rural areas in developing countries. The Netherlands has supported IFAD since its inception.
[1] https://resources.huygens.knaw.nl/ontwikkelingssamenwerking/nota1979_1.pdf
