Development Of Rural Areas Research Articles

Perceived Survival Risk, Motivation for New Enterprises, and Entrepreneurship Knowledge: A Case from Small Agricultural Entrepreneurs in Tennessee

Entrepreneurship can create significant positive changes for economic development in rural areas. Specific to small farmers, who find it difficult to directly compete with large operations through conventional production in local and global marketplaces, the development of new feasible enterprises could be an important sustainable strategy. To understand the motivations of farm businesses, perceived survival risks, and entrepreneurship knowledge, we conducted a primary survey among small agricultural entrepreneurs (SAEs) in Tennessee. Based on the findings from our sample, SAEs are highly passionate and motivated in farming, the majority have business-related education or background (67% of the sampled SAEs) and consider themselves as self-employed (51% of sampled SAEs). Over half of our sampled SAEs developed 1 to 3 new enterprises in their farm or related businesses in the past 5 years while a few SAEs developed up to six new enterprises. However, we found that SAEs find their operation risky to continue and are challenged mainly by the shortage of skilled and reliable labor, finance and loans, and competitive markets. We also examined SAE’s level of understanding of different aspects of entrepreneurship and discussed the implications of our findings.

REGIONAL FEATURES OF THE INTERSECTION OF ECO- AND RURAL TOURISM IN VINNYCHCHYNA DURING MARITAL STATE

The article examines the tourist potential of the Vinnytsia region and determines that the region has significant natural and recreational potential for the development of ecological and rural tourism. It has been established that the development of these types of tourism is due to the increase in demand for domestic tourism as a result of the war in Ukraine. Therefore, the main consumers of eco- and rural tourism services in Vinnytsia region are internally displaced persons, as well as connoisseurs of Ukrainian folk traditions due to the attractiveness of the nature, its environmental friendliness and rural lifestyle. Regulatory and legal documents regulating rural tourism, namely the Regional Development Strategy of the Vinnytsia Region until 2027, as well as the main directions of activity of the public organization «Vinnytsia Regional Branch of the Association for the Promotion of the Development of Rural Green Tourism in Ukraine» were studied. The tourist route Camino Podoliсo or St. Jacob’s Way, which covers two regions of Khmelnytskyi and Vinnytsia, was studied. It was found that this project is a unique opportunity to gain impressions from getting to know the unique sights, customs and traditions and natural features of Podillia. The significant areas of Vinnytsia region, the village of Busha of the Yampil district, on the territory of which there are outstanding monuments of the archaeology and architecture of the famous Bushan relief (carved out of stone in the Rock Temple by the hands of our glorious ancestors) and the remains of the Bushan fortress – a stone tower, the Haydamatskyi ravine, the remains of multi-layered settlements of Trypillia, Chernyakhiv, Penkiv and Scythian cultures, a medieval cemetery. The possibilities of Mogilev-Podilskyi, Barskyi and Vinnytsia districts regarding the development and intersection of eco- and rural tourism in wartime are also described. In the article, with the help of a SWOT analysis, the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the development of eco- and rural tourism in Vinnytsia are given. It was found that the combination of eco- and rural tourism is a necessary condition for the economic development of rural areas, and rural recreation should strengthen the ecological awareness of tourists in order to preserve the environment.

Utilizing ubiquitous learning to foster sustainable development in rural areas: Insights from 6G technology

Rural education frequently grapples with demanding situations such as isolation, confined assets, and a virtual divide. The emergence of the sixth generation (6G) era, characterized by its speedy connectivity, minimal latency, and robust reliability, stands out as a beacon of desire, promising to revolutionize these educational landscapes by adopting ubiquitous Learning (U-Learning) environments. This research delves into the transformative skills of the 6G generation in rural schooling through U-Learning. It highlights 6G's position in ensuring identical entry to advanced instructional materials, fostering immersive and tailored learning stories, and permitting immediate interplay within virtual school rooms. Employing a combined-methods framework, this look intertwines an in-depth literature assessment with empirical inquiries, such as case studies, surveys, and dialogues with critical rural schooling stakeholders. It scrutinizes the prevailing situations of pastoral training, 6G's technological advancements, and the conditions for deploying green U-Learning ecosystems. The findings indicated significant improvements in educational resource access, student engagement, and learning outcomes due to implementing 6G technology. The key benefits observed were high-speed connectivity, reduced latency, and enhanced reliability, facilitating more interactive and immersive learning experiences. 6G emerges as a pivotal pressure in reshaping rural education, addressing essential problems of accessibility, pupil engagement, and academic excellence. Achieving this vision needs concerted efforts in infrastructure improvement, instructional programming tailored to 6G, and collaborative endeavors amongst all stakeholders. Future research should focus on developing specific 6G deployment strategies and educational programs tailored to the unique needs of rural populations.

Evaluating the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on socioeconomic development in Wumeng Mountain area based on multi-source remote sensing data

ABSTRACT Assessing the socioeconomic development of rural areas is important for the targeted implementation of rural revitalization in China, especially after three years of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. However, the influence of COVID-19 on socioeconomic development in rural areas remains unclear. Therefore, this paper constructed a comprehensive socioeconomic development index (SEDI) by considering county-level statistics on natural environment, social resources, and economy as proxies for assessing local socioeconomic development, and analyzed the influence of COVID-19 from the changing pattern of SEDI before and after COVID-19, with Wumeng Mountain (WM) area as the study case. In response to the absence and untimeliness of statistics, we employed both nighttime light (NTL) and land use/land cover (LULC) features to fill in these missing SEDIs from 2013 to 2022, using random forest regression. With the assistance of LULC, the overall R2 increased from 0.7763 to 0.9056, and the estimation accuracy improved in 36 out of 38 counties. All counties in WM experienced an increase in SEDI, and the growth rate did not slow down, proving the effective implementation of rural revitalization strategy. Also, the spatial clustering pattern remained relatively stable. These findings provide scientific foundations for the local government to assess comprehensive development and formulate policies.

Depopulation and Residential Dynamics in Teruel (Spain): Sustainable Housing in Rural Areas

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of depopulation and residential dynamics in Teruel, a province emblematic of the aging and depopulation issues prevalent in many inland regions of Spain and Europe. Through an in-depth examination utilizing official statistics, academic studies, and reports, this study highlights the demographic structure, historical evolution, and current trends in Teruel. Key patterns of population change and their implications for urban and rural planning are identified. The analysis covers population density, vital balances, and household distribution, with a special focus on the significant role of the foreign population. Additionally, the challenges associated with vacant housing and the management of unused land are discussed, proposing revitalization strategies for the built environment in rural settings through sustainable housing initiatives. This study aims to contribute to the discourse on sustainable development of small cities and rural areas, offering integrated solutions that not only enhance living conditions but also encourage balanced and sustainable growth.

The Importance of Measures Undertaken to Improve the Quality of Life in the Problem Areas: A Case Study in Warmia and Mazury Region in Poland

State agencies set up to manage the agricultural properties of the State Treasury, in subsequent years of their operation, have been implementing programs that are also intended to improve the social and living situation of the inhabitants of former state-owned farm villages. Such measures include non-refundable financial support distributed by the National Support Centre for Agriculture (NSCA). The research aimed to assess whether non-refundable financial aid improves the quality of life of local communities living in rural areas, particularly in former state-owned farm areas identified as problem areas. Another objective aspect of the research was to indicate the importance of this assistance in the opinion of the beneficiaries of this form of support (district authorities) and local communities. Improvement of the quality of life of rural inhabitants and support for the development of rural areas by local governments can be achieved by taking advantage of potential development factors and opportunities emerging in the environment and by being able to establish effective cooperation with various institutions. For local development to proceed smoothly, especially in rural areas, various institutions and economic players need to reach a consensus, become involved, and work together efficiently. A possible instrument to achieve this is the non-repayable financial support distributed by the National Support Centre for Agriculture (NSCA), which-according to the research-brings measurable effects.

Impact of COVID-19 on Farmers: Insights from Factor Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted profound disruptions on global economies, with significant repercussions for agriculture and rural communities. This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on farmers through factor analysis, focusing on socio-economic dynamics and resilience in the agricultural sector. Data was collected from rural communities through focus group discussions, personal and key informant interviews in Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka, India, during the peak of the pandemic. Factor analysis was employed to identify underlying variables and explore the relationships among them. Results indicate that the pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges faced by smallholder farmers, disrupting agricultural activities and livelihoods. Factors such as education, family size, and farm size emerged as critical determinants of resilience, emphasizing the importance of socio-economic empowerment and resource access. Additionally, infrastructure and resource availability, represented by factors like water resources and service sector facilities, played pivotal roles in shaping agricultural outcomes. Insights from the principal component analysis (PCA) provide valuable guidance for policymakers and practitioners in devising targeted interventions to mitigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in rural areas. By understanding the key factors driving socio-economic dynamics and agricultural productivity, stakeholders can foster sustainable development and resilience in agricultural communities amidst unprecedented global crises like COVID-19. The study underscores the urgent need for evidence-based strategies to address the multifaceted impacts of the pandemic, ensuring the well-being and resilience of farmers and rural communities in the face of uncertainty and adversity. Based on the findings, it is recommended that policymakers prioritize socio-economic empowerment and infrastructure development in rural areas to enhance resilience and sustainable development in agricultural communities, especially during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

КОНЦЕПТУАЛЬНЫЕ ОСНОВЫ УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ ХОЗЯЙСТВ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ И СЕЛЬСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ

The article substantiates the theoretical foundations of sustainable rural development. Based on a review of scientific sources, the concepts of sustainability, sustainable development; sustainable development of agriculture, food subcomplexes, rural areas and households are defined. The author's definition of the sustainable development of the fruit and vegetable canning subcomplex of the agroindustrial complex is given. The factors influencing the sustainable development of households have been identified. The measures of mutually beneficial relations in the integration and cooperation processes of households with business entities of agricultural production, processing industry, procurement and marketing organizations; ensuring food security and sustainable development of households and rural areas are proposed.

СОЦИАЛЬНЫЕ СТАНДАРТЫ В СИСТЕМЕ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ РАЗВИТИЕМ СЕЛЬСКИХ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ

The main postulate of the May Decree of the President of Russia V. Putin "On the national development goals of the Russian Federation for the period up to 2030 and for the future up to 2036" is the preservation of the country's population, strengthening its health, increasing well-being, and family support. It also declares the realization of the potential of each person, the development of his talents, the upbringing of a patriotic and socially responsible personality. All this is impossible without creating a comfortable and safe living environment, achieving environmental well-being, developing a sustainable and dynamic, technologically breakthrough economy, digital transformation of all spheres of public and municipal administration, economy and social infrastructure. In the context of the adopted course for the spatial development of the country, the achievement of the declared national goals should become a powerful incentive for the development of all territories of our large state, both urban and rural. The article provides an analysis of the development of rural areas in Russian Federation. The place of social standards in the management system of rural development is considered. Examples of successful development of the institute of minimum social standards within the CIS are shown. The necessity of developing a system document defining the essence of state minimum social standards has been identified. The lists and types of minimum social standards, the tasks they solve, and the scope of their action are defined.

Agritourism in Extremadura, Spain from the Perspective of Rural Accommodations: Characteristics and Potential Development from Agrarian Landscapes and Associated Activities

The boom of rural tourism in Extremadura (Spain) has been promoted by different administrations, both national and European, through multiple initiatives carried out for several decades. However, it has been developed in a generic way, ignoring the potential of agricultural landscapes for the development of agritourism as a specific variety. Therefore, this research aims to know the opinion of rural lodging owners in order to understand how the activity can be reoriented towards a more specific one, taking advantage of the potential of this type of tourist attraction. For this purpose, information has been collected through surveys to these owners. By carrying out a statistical analysis and a territorial analysis, it is possible to know their socio-demographic structure, as well as the characteristics of the accommodations and other aspects related to the activities they offer to tourists. Following the analyses, characteristics such as age, level of education and sources of income were identified, revealing a lack of knowledge of agritourism. It was also discovered that many lodgings could offer agritourism activities due to the presence of farms and attractive landscapes for tourists. However, there was a lack of activities related to agriculture and livestock, which represents a missed opportunity for the development of agritourism. The territorial analysis showed patterns of activity supply in certain areas, suggesting the possibility of promoting the sustainable development of rural areas through the diversification of tourism activities. Perhaps the main conclusion that can be drawn is the need to take advantage of the attractive landscape and the presence of activity companies to promote the economic and social development of rural areas, contributing to the conservation of traditions and the fight against depopulation.

Improving service accessibility and equity for sustainable development goals without newly facilities by rural settlement reconstruction

Ensuring the provision of accessible, affordable, and high-quality public services to all individuals aligns with one of the paramount aims of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the face of escalating urbanization and a dwindling rural populace in China, reconstructing rural settlements to enhance public service accessibility has become a fundamental strategy for achieving the SDGs in rural areas. However, few studies have examined the optimal methods for rural settlement reconstruction that ensure accessible and equitable public services while considering multiple existing facilities and service provisions. This paper focuses on rural settlement reconstruction in the context of the SDGs, employing an inverted MCLP-CC (maximal coverage location problem for complementary coverage) model to identify optimal rural settlements and a rank-based method for their relocation. Conducted in Changyuan, a county-level city in Henan Province, China, this study observed significant enhancements in both accessibility and equity following rural settlement reconstruction by utilizing the MH3SFCA (modified Huff 3-step floating catchment area) and the spatial Lorenz curve method. Remarkably, these improvements were achieved without the addition of new facilities, with the accessibility increasing by 44.21%, 4.97%, and 3.11%; Gini coefficients decreasing by 19.53%, 1.64%, and 3.18%; Ricci-Schutz coefficients decreasing by 21.09%, 2.09%, and 4.33% for educational, medical, and cultural and sports facilities, respectively. It indicated that rural settlement reconstruction can bolster the accessibility and equity of public services by leveraging existing facilities. This paper provides a new framework for stakeholders to better reconstruct rural settlements and promote sustainable development in rural areas in China.

Changes in food consumption and nutrition intake of rural residents in central China

Food security and diet diversity is essential to sustainable food system all over the world. As the income of rural residents achieves great increase, the structure of food consumption and food diversification face significant change. Rural residents' food consumption and nutrients intake worth more attention. Chinese government has been striving to achieve sustainable development in rural areas. We conducted this study to explore area-level practices aiming at achieving food and nutrition security in rural China. In order to search for the change principle and main influencing factors of residents' food consumption, three rural areas in Henan Province were selected. According to the data obtained from the Henan Province Bureau of Statistics, changes in food consumption from 2012 to 2021 in three rural areas were analyzed in this study. This study led to the following remarkable results: (1) The per capita consumption of poultry, meat, sugar, and eggs of the three rural residents has increased much more than that of other food items. (2) In the three rural areas, the proportions of grains, vegetables, liquor, and edible oils have decreased overall. The proportions of other categories, such as poultry, meat, and fruits, have increased. (3) The rural residents’ per capita nutrition intake has increased remarkably. The results provide some empirical foundation for local government who need suggest that rural residents should control their intake of high-energy food, such as poultry, meat, and sugar. This study has significant policy implication for achieving sustainable goals in rural areas of China.

Upgrading Rural Community through Smart Ecotourism: An Indonesian Context

The increasing role of tourism as an income-generating sector has led to environmental degradation, making ecotourism a crucial factor in preserving the environment. Ecotourism should involve communities and use information technology to support development and ecological preservation. To explore the relevance and use of information technology for ecotourism development in rural areas in Batu, Indonesia, we surveyed 151 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The results indicate that MSMEs play a significant role in enforcing smart ecotourism to support economic progress. Innovations in information technology should be developed to accommodate MSMEs, given the relatively young age and high education level of businessmen/women. Future research can focus on the impact of such innovations on the sustainability of ecotourism in rural areas. Keywords: ecotourism, MSMEs, information technology

The utilization of mapping to improve the quality of community development in rural areas

Selayar Regency occupies the sixth position for stunting in South Sulawesi, with a prevalence of 32.1%. This problem is exacerbated by the community's limited access to information about stunting, so educational efforts are needed to disseminate stunting information presented using spatial mapping patterns. This activity aimed to develop village maps and identify high-stunting areas using spatial maps to improve the quality of community development. This map-making activity begins with data collection, and then data processing is carried out using ArcGIS software, digitization methods, and spatial analysis in the form of overlay analysis. Maps that have gone through the layout stage are then printed and submitted to the village government and health workers. The utilization of this map of strategic locations such as village offices, health centers, and local nutrition centers assesses the success of this services activity as a source of information in determining priority steps in preventing and handling stunting cases.

Women Initiatives and Its Impact on Agro-Ecotourism Development in Rural Areas

In Indonesia, a new form of tourism called agro-ecotourism has emerged from rural agricultural activities. It holds great promise in conjunction with cultural and ecotourism. The participation of women in agro-ecotourism has had substantial impact on its development and socio-economic well-being. However, the societal expectations that limited women to the home have diminished their significance within it. This article analyzed the current status of agro-ecotourism in Sukowilangun village, Kalipare sub-district, Malang District, East Java. The focus was on identifying the factors that drove and hindered participation in tourism, with a particular emphasis on gender. This article also explored the role of local communities in the development of a gender-inclusive agro-ecotourism model. This study utilized a qualitative approach, incorporating in-depth interviews and Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) techniques. It was evident from the findings that, despite progress in the tourism sector, the current level of female involvement in tourism destinations remains unsatisfactory. It was discovered that Sukowilangun village has great potential for developing Agro-ecotourism centered around processed cassava. This initiative, led by The Perempuan Singkong, a collective of migrant women’s families, shows great promise as a source of income and a way to generate more community interest in tourism. Lastly, the development of a top-notch tourism destination necessitates the focus on three crucial aspects: establishment of proper institutions, investment in skilled personnel, and fostering women’s involvement. Through the promotion of gender equality and the inclusion of women in decision-making processes, tourism destinations foster a more diverse and inclusive environment that brings benefits to all. Keywords: Agro-ecotourism; Community-based; Institutionalization; Women- participation

Can Digital Finance Narrow the Gap between Urban and Rural Areas?

As China continues to promote the integrated development of urban and rural areas and financial digital transformation, digital finance, as one of the five chapters of the financial industry to accelerate the formation of new quality productivity, has become an increasingly hot issue to narrow the gap between urban and rural development and help urban-rural integrated development. By combing and analyzing the related research between domestic digital finance and urban-rural gap, this paper comprehensively summarizes the research conclusions of the correlation between digital finance and urban-rural gap, and makes an in-depth analysis of the reasons for the differentiation of the research conclusions. It is clearly pointed out that there are three major problems in this field, such as narrow research surface, single research method and lack of timeliness of research conclusions. And based on the analysis results put forward further breakthrough and improvement direction.

Does collaborative governance mediate rural tourism to achieve sustainable territory development? Evidence of stakeholders' perceptions in Colombia

AbstractRural tourism as a diversification strategy might contribute to the sustainability of rural territories in developing countries. However, studies of the forms of how stakeholders relates are required to understand the configuration characteristics of the formal and informal dynamics present at a regional level. This paper explains the mediating role of collaborative governance between rural tourism and sustainable territory development in rural areas through quantitative research using structural equation modeling. The scales were validated by surveying members of civil society, the state, and the productive sector in Colombia. The results confirmed the reliability and validity of the measurement models. Additionally, they validated the dimensions proposed to determine the mediating role of collaborative governance between rural tourism and sustainable territory development. Finally, this document could contributes to a regional consensus on the role of collaborative governance in developing rural tourism actions that significantly promotes the sustainable development of rural territories.

Digitizing the green revolution: E-commerce as a catalyst for clean energy transition in rural China

Currently, numerous rural regions face the dual challenges of energy poverty and environmental pollution, which highlight the urgent need to improve the clean energy consumption structure in these areas. Against the backdrop of digital development, this study employs a series of exogenous treatment effect models to estimate the impact of e-commerce on the transition to clean energy in rural areas and explore its underlying mechanisms using agricultural census big data from China. The results indicate that the adoption of e-commerce can significantly facilitate the transition to clean energy, which remains robust even after addressing endogenous issues. Specifically, villages equipped with an e-commerce delivery station experience a 25% to 41.33% improvement in their natural gas connection rate compared to villages without such facilities. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the impact of e-commerce on promoting clean energy transition is more pronounced in villages located in the underdeveloped western and highland regions, as well as those with public transportation systems and village secretaries who have education levels below high school. Furthermore, as the likelihood of a village participating in e-commerce decreases, the impact of e-commerce on the clean energy transition strengthens. Lastly, the underlying mechanisms suggest that e-commerce contributes to the transition towards clean energy by strengthening collective action, promoting rural commerce development, and increasing participation in pension insurance. These findings suggest that promoting e-commerce development in rural areas is a crucial strategy for effectively driving energy transition, especially in underdeveloped rural areas.

Impacts of Standard Gauge Railway Project on Tanzania Economy Amidst and After Completion

Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project in Tanzania flashed a lot of rumours and suggestions among citizens on opportunities and threats. This paper described the impacts of the SGR project on Tanzania economy during and after project completion. The target population of the study was all articles, and government reports related on SGR projects in Africa. The study was conducted systematically by reviewing articles and government reports on impacts of SGR on economy. The paper found that the SGR project has a lot of positive impacts including stimulation of Industrialization; efficient and fast movement of cargo; source of foreign currency; Development of rural area; business growth; Creating good relationship between neighbour countries; and employment opportunities. Also, the study found that negative impacts include Market disruption; Collapse of towns; and involuntary resettlement. The study concludes that the construction of standard gauge railway is of very importance for Tanzania economy. The study recommends the government start preparing competent staff that will operate and manage SGR. The lesson learned from the study is that there must be collaboration and coordination between the government and private sector at different levels of SGR for immediate and sustainable benefits.

Arahan Sistem Pertanian Ideal Berbasis Potensi Sumberdaya Lahan: Komponen Dasar Cukilan Smart Village

In recent years, the concept of smart villages has gained increasing prominence as a means of encouraging sustainable development in rural areas. This is particularly relevant in the agricultural sector, where the potential of land resources is crucial. Cukilan Village, located in Suruh District, Semarang Regency, Central Java, is primarily an agricultural area, with over 80% of its land designated for agricultural purposes. The village government has expressed a desire to develop Cukilan as a smart village through an FGD process. Based on this background, a community service program was implemented with the aim of designing Cukilan Village as a smart village in stages, to enhance economic growth and prosperity by leveraging the potential of agricultural resources and human resources, as well as accelerating the village development process. The method for implementing this PKM (Community Service) program utilized the Assets-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, which involved outreach, discussion, mapping of agroecological zones, as well as land suitability and evaluation. As a result of this initiative, the Cukilan Village government received guidance for an ideal agricultural system based on land resource potential, which serves as a basic component towards the realization of Cukilan Smart Village.