Poverty can be overcome, and that the poor can increased their income and production within an appropriate framework. Part of that framework is made up of a flow of resources and local-level institutional development, and their is considerable scope for improvement in both. However, the impact of investment and organization is strictly determined by the nature of the policy environment. While project and programmes can bring some relief to the rural poor, substantial change needs a strong policy commitment. While the poor can overcome poverty, they will not be able to until this becomes a major focus of national policy and action. In the main, this sort of commitment has not been made in the past?at the expense of both the poor and overall development in many areas.