The agricultural scene in the 80s went from bad to worse for small farmers and rural workers. Diversification of export crops only offered stop-gap and short-term relief. Hence, the costs entailed in the long run were higher than any foreign trade returns. Net proceeds were, of course, much less than export receipts, since capital and technology (including machinery and inputs) were imported and huge foreign loans were secured. It would also appear that the hundreds of millions in foreign assistance and government allocations for export agriculture and agribusiness have come to naught.