This book is an expanded literature review which considers the different and changing roles of the public and private sectors in agricultural service provision. Specifically, it adresses: Agricultural research, agricultural extension, rural financial services, agricultural marketing, veterinary services, fertiliser supply, seed supply. Its focus is on the changes in effectiveness, efficiency and accountability which have been achieved during recent programmes of reform and public sector retrenchment. It lays a particular emphasis on the effect of reform on the poorest sections of rural people and on the interactions which characterise rural livelihoods.