Addis Ababa,July 21(ENA)--Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says the present scenario that affect rapid rural and agricultural development need to be changed for Ethiopia and the rest of countries in the African continent to tackle poverty and achieve the Millenium Development Goals (MDG's).

Speaking here on Monday at the launching of the the UN Human Development Report (HDR) for 2003 Meles said that in countries such as Ethiopia poverty eradication is largely about rural and agricultural development.

He said the challenges impeding development were subsistence agriculture at a low level of technological development and underdeveloped rural marketing, among others.

The prime minister said to meet the set MDG's it is essential to shift from subsistence agriculture to mechanized small scale farming, investment in research and extension as well as educating and training of farmers.

He said investment in marketing infrastructure and institutions and liberalization of the markets of developed countries for the agricultural products of developing countries were key to enable the development steady.

The presence of effective and pro-active state in rural areas was also of paramount importance for eradicating poverty.

Meles underscored the need for the donor community to share part of the gloomy state of affairs of the poor countries.

Special advisor to the United Nations Secretary General on MDG's Professor Jeffrey Sachs said on his part that the developed countries are not doing what they are expected to for the poorer countries.

Special advisor to the United nations Secretary general on MDG's Professor Jeffrey Sachs said on his part that the developed countries are not doing what they are expected to for the poorer countries.

He said bridging the gaps and do away with the poverty that kills the partnership of the rich and the poor is required by designing sound program to be realized in the next 12 years.

Presenting the report United Nations Country Coordinator Samuel Nyambi said an estimated 50 billion US Dollars additional annual aid is required to the developing countries.

The Human development Index comprise ratings of countries in the globe.

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