However, in many countries, especially in Africa, the agricultural sector was not considered a driver for economic development that could benefit from sectoral budget support. Subsistence farming, in particular, was not seen as a valuable contribution to the national economy and creation and maintenance of rural infrastructure was neglected in the wake of rapid urbanization.
In the early 1980's the Washington Consensus principles became a reference for adoption of neo-liberal policies and practices. This included redirecting public funding away from subsidies and liberalisation of trade. There was also a growing recognition of the shortcomings of state interventions in Asia in the aftermath of the Green Revolution and in Africa due to ineffective, unsustainable and often counterproductive state interventions.
In some African countries, in particular, cereals, meat and dairy products were sold through inefficient state run marketing boards that were disbanded as a part of the privatisation strategies in the context of structural adjustment programmes. Despite numerous revisions the Washington Consensus was ultimately viewed as a failed attempt to promote inclusive sustainable economic development[1].