The lack of qualified leadership to direct, plan, and do research in agricultural agencies is an important restraint on rural development in countries like Colombia. An increase in the number of students attending institutions for agricultural education has been often viewed as the solution to this problem. It is argued here that an increase in number is only a partial solution, and that an equally pressing problem is to enable people with rural backgrounds to enter these educational institutions. Facets of this regarding Colombia are covered in the discussion which follows. A brief review of recent agricultural development in Colombia is presented first to point out some of the major problems. An overview of Colombia's educational system follows to suggest why rural people are isolated from employment by Colombian agricultural agencies. To further illustrate this point, information is presented from a study of the backgrounds of Colombian agricultural college students. The discussion concludes with several suggestions on ways better agricultural leadership might be developed in countries similar to Colombia. (Author/KM)