<br/>A top UN official has said agriculture remains the backbone of developing countries' economy and it is essential to secure the interests of 500 million small farmers across the globe. <br/><br/>Kanayo F Nwanze, head of the UN International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, said that in Davos, he intends to show business leaders how linking small farmholders to the private sector is key to building the economy of developing countries.<br/><br/>The UN agency that deals with rural poverty has been invited for the economic meet in Switzerland for the first time. <br/><br/>Nwanze said, the IFAD will continue to be the voice of small farmers because they are fundamental to transforming the agricultural system and bringing about economic growth.<br/><br/>The IFAD noted that it is important for small farmers to have the resources to be able to transform agriculture into businesses.