In my view rural development is still an issue for many policy makers in developing and developed countries. Taking this in account I would like to know what are the hottest topics or approaches in rural development regarding to sub-saharan african countries? Is agriculture still a backbone? References are welcome!
Food security and livelihood are prominent. Today the challenge is more on attaining food security because the impacts of climate change yielding disasters are seriously affecting rural livelihoods. More concerns are driven toward finding solutions.
I agree with Nelson that Food and even more important livelihood security are crucial aspects. What plays an outstanding role are off-farm livelihoods, meaning livelihoods that are not directly related to farming, animal husbandry and fisheries. Such livelihoods can contribute to an upliftment of rural areas, improve quality of rural lives and slow down migration to urban areas.
Pascoal - I think the following are hottest topics on rural development: 1) Rural development and health, mental health, sanitation, education, food security, 2) Reservation for women in local bodies, 3) Rural Marketing 4) Role of Women in Agriculture 5) Rural Problems, 6) Gender Equality in Rural Society 7) Employment opportunities in Rural Areas 8) Fragmentation of Agriculture Land, 9) Commercialization of Agriculture and Conversion of Agriculture Land 10) Financial literacy for farmers, 11) Rural women self help groups 12) Impact of rural development schemes etc. 13) Local Government etc.
Rural development does not mean agricultural development.
In the developing world most or majority of population lives in rural area and are employed in farming activities, activities which yield very low level of life.
In the developing countries very small portion of population is making their living in farming employment and are producing in most case agriculture with excess of production with difficulties to make it.
Those who are in favor the policy which says that rural development areas means agricultural development, and which means that rural population will remain poor.
Why?
The nature of modernization of agriculture is done by introducing capital intensive means of production. This means that majority of current farmers will not have the capital nor the initiative nor the ability to cope with the new situation. Generally, they would become drops out of the modern production cycle and will be joining, probably, to hose who prefer the rural exodus. Not desired situation for those occupying development.
My view: Developing in the rural areas not only agriculture, but, in parallels, the developing of Non Agricultural Employment (NAE) which would absorb the manpower which be probably ejected from agriculture life, unable to cope with modernized, capital intensive development of agriculture, but would remain then in the rural areas, with NAE and without the need to join the rural exodus.
Rural areas means an integrative approach which will modernize farming and at the same time offers non agricultural employment in the rural areas themselves, as well as development all necessary community amenities suitable for descent life in the rural areas.
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