The following discussion relates how Latin America's small farmers were left behind its economic mainstream. The region has substantial parts of its population living in the agricultural sector as small farmers. It is indicated that technological, educational and organizational problems are causing high urban/rural migration rates. Urban areas, on the other hand, are not able to provide jobs to those families in the short run. Therefore, housing, health, and mainly, urban safety problems are aggravated. The paper closes with comments on the strategic actions suggested to help small farmers' economic and social development.