Role In Rural Development Research Articles

Analyzing the Driving Mechanism of Rural Transition from the Perspective of Rural–Urban Continuum: A Case Study of Suzhou, China

Rural transition has become a core topic in the study of the urban–rural relationship in China. Analyzing the transition process and sorting out the key driving factors in different periods is essential for providing critical references for the urban–rural integration and rural revitalization policy. This paper takes Suzhou, a rapidly urbanizing prefecture-level city that has experienced three obvious stages of rural transition since China’s reform and opening-up, as the case area to explore the driving mechanism from the perspective of rural–urban continuum. We first construct the index system for measuring rural transition from two dimensions of rurality and urbanity. Then, we identify the core influencing factors of different phases from 1990 to 2015, employing spatial regression models and then extract the main driving mechanism. The results revealed the following key findings. (1) Rural transition in Suzhou has both proximity effects and structural effects; the development patterns of rural areas are becoming more heterogeneous. (2) From the rurality dimension, the regression coefficient of index representing grain production changes from positive to negative during the research periods, reflecting the “non-grain” trend of agricultural production in rural areas. (3) From the urbanity dimension, the regression coefficient of index promoting by foreign direct investment increases from 0.372 in 1990 to 0.829 in 2015, indicating that the external driving force of rural transition has become stronger. (4) In 2015, the regression coefficient of index representing tertiary industry reaches 0.468, meaning the modern service industry has played an increasingly important role in rural development. Our study provides valuable insights into the dynamic change of driving mechanism of rural transition at the town level, argues that the general trend of viewing transition process as rurality weakens and urbanity enhances could be replaced by multifunctional pathways. This study supplements existing research to understand new phenomena during the transition process, the latter offer implications for policy-making, such as grain security, spatial spillovers, and rural tourism.

The role of women in rural development: lesson learnt from Nagari Indudur, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Women play an important contribution to the agriculture and rural economy. However, agriculture sector is underperforming in some developing countries because women, who are an important resources in agriculture and the rural economy, facing some obstacles that lower their productivity. The fact that both men and women play an important role in rural development, in this paper, we identify an empirical evidence from Nagari Indudur in West Sumatra, Indonesia, and show to what degree women’s contribution in rural development. Differences of women and men by gender are based on cultures, community values and norms, so that gender construct may differ from one society to another. West Sumatra is known for its matrilineal culture. In the case of marriage, the inheritance of family property using maternal lineage. This study was done by a descriptive method using gender sensitive analysis. There were 55 female respondents were interviewed. All of the respondents are member of “Selembar Daun”, the only women’s group in Nagari Indudur that were play important role in its rural development. It was found that female time use is not only in reproductive activities, but also in productive activities, and social and political activities. In terms of reproductive activities, the women manage complex household activities. For productive activities, they involve in producing agricultural crops and forest products, such as candlenut, which then they process into candle nut oil. The added value of candle nut oil has made the product can be sold in higher price. This has led to additional income for the household. In terms of social and political activities, the women involve actively in women’s group activities. It was also found that some women are involved in the cash economy, where the men work outside the Nagari for wages. As a result, women have to take more responsibility for agricultural tasks while their husband are away in wage labor, while at the same time women heavily involved in reproductive roles. In term of access and control of resources, it was found that both men and women are equally have access to and control over the resources.

Effect of Vitamin Supplementation on Egg Production, Egg Quality, and Mortality of Sasso Chickens.

IntroductionEthiopia has a huge poultry population that plays a role in rural development. However, feed shortage is a major problem. Vitamin supplementation in feed formulation is crucial to improve the productivity of poultry. The objective of this study was to evaluate extra doses of vitamin supplements in quality egg production.MethodsThis experimental study was conducted on Sasso Ruby T chickens aged 22 weeks. The experimental and control groups each contained 60 hens. For the study group, extra doses of vitamins were added to the drinking water. Weekly observation was carried out for 3 months for a total of 12 observations. The effect of extra doses of vitamins on layers in terms of mortality, egg production, egg size, egg-specific gravity, and eggshell thickness was analyzed using SPSS 20 with t-tests.ResultsSignificant changes were observed for mortality (P<0.05), with mean mortality of 0.25±0.45 and 0.66±0.65 and general mortality of 5% and 13% in the study and control groups, respectively. Average egg production per week in the study group (279.5±3.80) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the control group (256±4.81). However, no significant difference (P>0.05) was found for egg size between the groups: study group 59.99±0.92 g and control group 59.34±0.95 g. There was no significant variation (P>0.05) in average egg-specific gravity: study group 1.068±5.33×10−3 and control group 1.061±5.33×10−3. Average eggshell thickness was significantly greater (P<0.05) in the study group(0.36±0.048 mm) than the control group (0.32±0.04 mm).ConclusionWe identified that extra vitamin supplements for layer chickens is very important to increase profitability in the poultry industry by decreasing mortality and increasing egg production.

Moderating effect of social capital on community empowerment and economic well-being

Improving community economic well-being based on community empowerment plays an important role in rural development. This study aims to determine the ability of social enterprises in Indonesia (Village-Owned Enterprises/BUMDes) to improve the community's economic well-being through empowerment programs and the role of social capital in rural community development. At social conditions at the basic level, very little attention is paid to the development of deprived communities. Starting from the experience of rural community economic empowerment programs through the establishment of Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) in Indonesia, this study will test three hypotheses: (1) whether there is an effect between community empowerment and the economic well-being of rural communities; (2) is there an effect between social capital and the economic well-being of rural communities; and (3) is the effect between community empowerment and economic well-being mediated by social capital? Multiple regression analysis is used to examine the effect between community empowerment and community economic well-being. This analysis highlights the central role of social capital in mediating the effect between community empowerment and economic well-being. Community empowerment is significantly related to social capital. These effects between social capital, community empowerment, and economic well-being apply to theories and measures of rural community empowerment.

Active Participation and Provision of Reservation for SC/ ST/ Women in Panchayath Raj Institutions

The panchayats are expected to play an important role in rural development in India, particularly after independence. They were empowering the rural population to participate in rural development programs for improving their quality of life. The study was conducted in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, where a total of 100 rural respondents were selected through simple random sampling technique. The objective of the study is to know the socio-economic status of the respondents, involvement of respondents in party politics and reservation status of SC&amp;STs in panchayat raj institutions. Results indicated that half (50%) of the respondents have belonged to the age group of 18-25 years, illiterates (68%), males (56%) and nuclear family type (67%). The majority (72%) of the respondents possessed 1-3 acres of land, 49 per cent of the respondent's occupations were agriculture and (71%) monthly income was from 1rs to 25,000 rs. Most (88%) of the respondents were not involved in party politics. While 60 per cent of the respondents accepted, to some extent, the provision of reservations for SC/ST/Women. The result of the study concluded that the majority of the women were not interested in participating in party politics and also any rural development activity because of the patriarchal society.

Comparative Study of Comprehensive Rural Development in Shivtakrar-Nira,Tahasil Purandar,District Pune,Maharashtra

Rural development is not new concept in India. Whereas eighty percent of the population resides in rural area and seventy-two percent of the work force depends upon agriculture &amp; allied activities. Agriculture obviously plays a very important role in rural development. Therefore, Indian Economy is dependents on Agro-based activities. Rural development is being given top priority in our national planning. Hence, eradication of rural priority is the key of National Economy. Our rural problems are linked with basic needs of the people such as livelihood, literacy; resources are primary reasons of poverty in our country. It is creating gainful self-employment, which is the biggest challenge for the development organization as well as the society by making sustainable use of the natural resources &amp; human skill.&#x0D; Rural development involves raising the socio-economic status of the rural population on a sustainable basis through optimum utilization of local resources, both natural and human. While external help is necessary, rural development can achieved only when the rural people actively participated in the development process, in this research work has tried to focus on comparative study of rural development.

Technical Efficiency of Tea Farms: Case Study in Thainguyen Province of Vietnam

Tea production plays a vital role in rural development and poverty reduction in the North region of Vietnam, specializing in Thainguyen, a northeastern province of Vietnam. This study aims to analyze the technical efficiency of tea farms in Thainguyen province and subsequently to identify the key factors affecting their technical efficiency. The data envelopment analysis (DEA) method was first used to compute the technical efficiency levels. Tobit model was then used to determine factors affecting the inefficiency level of tea farms in the study area. The data of 50 farmers were collected by interview technique. The findings investigated that the average technical efficiency of tea farms was 0.73, implying that tea farms could increase their efficiency level by using inputs more efficient. The results of the Tobit regression model in the second stage revealed that factors related to age, education, and experiences had a significant positive influence on the technical efficiency of tea farms, therefore, to improve the efficiency of tea farms, the government should address policies to encourage tea farms to attain more education through extension system and training and technological transfers activities to help tea farms in adopting high technology in production to improve their efficiency level.

FM Stations’ Role in Rural Development: The Case of Northern Ghana

Abstract Over the past two decades, Ghana’s media landscape has undergone radical transformation, leading to the emergence of hundreds of frequency modulation (FM) stations across the country. These stations have become the country’s most powerful mediums of communication, carrying an array of programs aimed at diverse audiences. With northern Ghana as a case study, this research examines FM stations’ role in rural development, their mode of impact, and their attendant challenges. This is achieved via qualitative methodology; that is, in-depth interviews with station managers and local development stakeholders, supplemented by programming content analysis of ten FM stations. Findings indicate that FM stations in northern Ghana, irrespective of their classification, aid rural development by serving as an endogenous conduit for the transfer of information that promotes community development and empowerment. This is achieved through programming in local dialects, local musical and cultural programs, expert presentations, interactive phone-in sessions, and news presentations. Challenges include the lack of employee professionalism, financial constraints, poor audience research, technical challenges, excessively partisan political coverage, and lack of original programming.

Tourism Perspectives in National Parks—A Hungarian Case Study from the Aspects of Rural Development

Nature-based tourism has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted the tourism sector and triggered contradictory processes, even in protected areas. This phenomenon opens up new opportunities for nature-based tourism from the perspective of rural development. In this study, we assess the relations between tourism and nature conservation and examine the characteristics of practical cooperation in three Hungarian national parks. Based on in-depth interviews (n = 76), document review, and analysis of tourism-related data, our research proves that nature-based tourism could play an essential role in rural development, but this is far from being fulfilled. None of the sectors have been able to impact the comprehensive development of the rural areas concerned. We conclude that sectoral partnership is inadequate, and there is no effective policy coordination. There is a lack of multiday tourism programs, and the currently available tourism infrastructure is insufficient. Initiatives such as the national park product trademark exist but are not well managed, so they do not have a meaningful impact. The results point out that cross-sector collaboration must be strengthened after the epidemic to provide a basis for policy coordination and joint planning.

Prediction of soil-bearing capacity on forest roads by statistical approaches.

The soil-bearing capacity is one of the important criteria in dimensioning the superstructure. In Turkey, predictability of California Bearing Ratio values, which may be used in the planning and dimensioning of forest roads, of which about 26% lacks the superstructure, by using soil mechanical properties (cost and time efficient parameters that are easier to determine) is investigated. Simple linear regression, multiple linear regression, artificial neural networks and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system methods were utilized. Two hundred sixty-four California Bearing Ratio values obtained from the project carried out on the forest roads of Bartin Forest Operation Directorate were used in both the production of training-test data and the creation of models. Statistical performance of the models was assessed by means of parameters such as root-mean-square error, mean absolute error and R2. The obtained results show that the bearing capacity values predicted by artificial neural networks and adaptive network based fuzzy inference system models display significantly better performance than the simple linear regression and multiple linear regression models. While the highest prediction capacity belongs to adaptive network based fuzzy inference system (0.969-0.991), it is followed by artificial neural networks (R2 = 0.796-0.974), multiple linear regression (R2 = 0.796) and simple linear regression (R2 = 0.554). What makes the algorithms superior than the traditional statistical models is the fact that they have many processing neurons, each with local connections, and thus have higher error tolerance. On the other hand, for the forest and rural roads, which play an important role in rural development of the forest peasants, to be able to operate all-seasons, superstructure should be immediately built in order to minimize the wear on the roads.

English

The focus of this research was to identify the role played by agricultural cooperatives in rural development in the era of liberalization in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon. Primary sources were used for data collection. Questionnaires were administered to 329 respondents from 52 agricultural cooperatives in 40 villages with a response rate of 78.7% in the North West Region and 21.3% in the South West Region. Agricultural cooperatives and government officials were interviewed in both regions. Findings from the field show that 80% of the respondents agreed that agricultural cooperatives play a role in rural development especially in the areas of trainings, increased output production, the provision of inputs and marketing of farmers produce. Agricultural cooperatives can effectively and conveniently handle only two major roles in its rural development efforts: Improved Agricultural Production and Capacity Building. Seventy percent of the respondents declared that they were satisfied with the role agricultural cooperatives play in rural development despite the socio-political crisis in the study area. The government should increase investments in agriculture and rural infrastructure and create an agricultural bank to enable agricultural cooperatives play its role fully in rural development. Key words: Agricultural cooperatives, rural development, liberalization, Cameroon.

Implications of Mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility on Rural Development in India

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the medium through which business establishments play a vital role in rural development. The current research uses document content analysis technique to ex...

THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION CENTERS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQ

The research aims to identify the role of agricultural extension centers in rural development in Iraq from the viewpoint of those working in, by identifying the degree to which agricultural extension centers play their role in rural development in the extension, economic and social fields. The degree to which these centers played their role in each of the aforementioned fields of rural development was determined and the items of these fields are arranged. The research community included (113) agricultural engineers and extensions working in the agricultural extension training centers in the country of (16) extension centers, except for the governorates of the Kurdistan region. The results showed the agreement the views of most the respondents that the extension centers in Iraq play a major and effective role in rural development through carrying out tasks and works in all fields of studied rural development (in general). Likewise, most of the respondents views agreed that the economic field comes at the forefront of these fields and the social field came in the second rank, whereas the extension field came in the last rank. In the researcher’s conclusions, he recommends the necessity of the continuity and support of the Ministry of Agriculture and those in charge of the extension apparatus in Iraq for extension centers due to the importance of its role in agricultural and rural development.

A spatiotemporal analysis of comparative advantage in tea production in China

Tea is one of the most important cash crops and widely consumed beverages worldwide and plays a significant role in rural development, poverty reduction, and food security in many developing countries. Nevertheless, very few empirical studies have analysed the comparative advantage of the tea industry in developing countries. Taking Fujian Province, China, as the object of a case study, we carried out a spatiotemporal analysis of the determinants of the tea industry's revealed comparative advantage (RCA) during the period 2010–2018. The empirical analysis relied on a calculation of RCA and an estimation of a geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) using data from 67 counties in Fujian. The results confirmed that the effect and significance of RCA determinants vary considerably across different spatial areas and over time. With the exception of ‘disposable income', all other determinants had a positive and statistically significant effect on a region's RCA in the tea industry. Specifically, the results indicated that regional specialisation had the strongest positive effect on tea competitiveness. Local governments' sectoral strategies and institutional policies were essential elements in building and maintaining regional tea competitiveness. Infrastructure development, which traditionally went hand-in-hand with urbanisation processes, had a significant impact on tea competitiveness. These findings imply that competitiveness of the tea sector can be improved by adopting local polices that support producers and processors through fiscal investment, technology provision, and capacity building as well as measures to improve rural road infrastructure and link small farmers to other actors along tea supply chains.

A study of rural tourism management and its role in rural development of Afghanistan

A study of rural tourism management and its role in rural development of Afghanistan

Analisis Peran Pemuda Dalam Pembangunan Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2014 Tentang Desa (Studi Di Kecamatan Percut Sei Tuan Kabupaten Deli Serdang)

One of the expected roles of youth is village builder in accordance with Law No. 6/2014 on Villages. The hope is that young people take a role in rural development, especially after village funding has been distributed to the village. The research was conducted in Percut Sei Tuan District, Deli Serdang Regency. This research is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. The method of analysis uses interview and questionnaire techniques. The purpose of this study was to analyze the implementation of village governance in Percut Sei Tuan District, Deli Serdang Regency. To analyze the role of youth in village development in Percut Sei Tuan District, Deli Serdang Regency. The results showed that the implementation of village government in the Percut Sei Tuan Subdistrict, Deli Serdang Regency, based on Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages, includes the implementation of village government, empowering village communities and improving services to village communities in Percut Sei Tuan District. The role of youth in village development in Percut Sei Tuan Subdistrict, Deli Serdang Regency is that youths are tasked with carrying out development both physically and non-physically (Agent of development). Development in the physical sector of facilities and infrastructure such as roads, bridges and agriculture. Meanwhile, in the non-physical sector, it is in the form of education and counseling on Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages

Today's protected areas: supporting a more sustainable future for humanity.

Nature provides significant benefits to people, especially those living in and around protected areas. Ecosystem services from protected areas include producing wild food, supporting biodiversity and water cycles, regulating climate, and providing cultural services like better health, tourism, and legacy for future generations. In economic terms, the flows of ecosystem services provided by protected areas are worth hundreds of billions of dollars each year, well justifying the costs of managing these sites, but protected areas are suffering from environmental problems such as impacts from human population growth, rural poverty, growing demands for natural resources, land use change that degrades ecosystem productivity, invasive non-native species that harm natural ecosystems, and climate change that is affecting all ecosystems. Addressing these linked challenges will require mobilizing all parts of the economy, including the protected area estate. For example, protected areas can take a leadership role in rural development, expand the conservation estate to half of the planet through connectivity and improved management of more of the non-agricultural land, enhance the prominent role of protected areas in contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation, encourage productive research on applying modern technology to protected areas management, seek broader private sector participation in conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services, and include protected areas as relevant parties in relevant trade and other international negotiations. When protected area managers embrace this broader role, they will find enthusiastic public support for this contribution to a sustainable human society.

Sustainable Aquaculture in the Baltic Sea Region of Russia: Ecotoxicological Issues of Restocking Wild Salmon and Whitefish Populations

It is widely recognized that aquaculture plays an important role in rural development, contributing significantly to food availability, household food security, and income generation in particular. In developing sustainable aquaculture in the Baltic Sea region of Russia, it is essential to strike a balance between the need for aquaculture development and the need for natural resource conservation, especially in the case of Atlantic Salmon and Whitefish—the most valuable object of fishery, which almost lost their native spawning areas due to negative anthropogenic impacts. Without sufficient information about the accumulation of dangerous pollutants in fish tissues it is hard to develop a sustainable strategy for restocking populations of wild Salmonids and Whitefish in their natural habitats. In this paper, the accumulation of heavy metals in the tissues of wild Salmonids and Whitefish caught for artificial reproduction and their fry from the state hatcheries of northwest Russia was studied with the use of voltammetry, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and capillary electrophoresis. Analysis of the obtained data showed that significant bioaccumulation of heavy metals happens during growth and feeding after Salmon fry are released into the wild. This study demonstrates the necessity of improving state hatcheries with automatic control systems for ecological parameters.

Assessment of Factors Constraining Organic Farming Expansion in Lis Valley, Portugal

Organic farming can play an important role in rural development and food production, by reinforcing the trend toward sustainable agriculture and its purpose of ecosystem conservation. The agribusiness of organic farming is particularly relevant in family farming, given the labor availability and the short marketing circuits. The innovative techniques of organic farming, namely with soil fertility, weed and pest control, opens a wide range of possibilities in its development and extension. The expectation of organic farming profitability in small-scale family farming, supported by known successful examples, were the theme of a field study on Lis Valley Irrigation District to assess the constraints to its expansion in order to outline the procedures for the acquisition of technical knowledge, the adaptation of technologies, the support for the conversion of production models, and the specialized training of farmers for action. Results revealed that the: (i) farmer’s land structure, (ii) their mature age, (iii) low education level, and (iv) markets, are the main constrains for organic farming development. Furthermore, other uncertainties were identified, namely: (i) the certification process, (ii) the knowledge of new technologies, especially of crop protection, and (iii) the marketing problems to guaranteeing profitability. This study concludes that organic farming has significant potential for development in the Lis Valley and that the efforts and resources of the various stakeholders, namely the state, need to be harmonized to deliver effective support to farmers to promote organic farming that prioritizes: (i) rural development policies, (ii) supporting land restructuring, (iii) modernization of irrigation, (iv) stimulation of young farmers, (v) conversion and implementation of innovative technologies, (vi) the organization of farmers for better productive efficiency, and (vii) to facilitate market access.

APPLYING A D-HOPE APPROACH TO ENTREPRENEURIAL WORK IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE VILLAGES OF AL-FAYOUM GOVERNORATE

The aim of this research was to identify the owners of entrepreneurial activities and their skills that they perform (identifying champions), to identify the percentage of their applying the D-HOPE, to identify some personal characteristics that associated with entrepreneurial business, to identify the factors related to the entrepreneurial business and to determine the driving force and the restraining force for applying the D-HOPE approach in the different villages of the research area. The sample involved 70 respondents from 51villages (Tunis village and the neighboring villages in AlFayoum Governorate, and one village from Qena Governorate) during the Pottery Festival. Data were collected using a questionnaire by personal interviews. The statistical methods used are descriptive analysis (frequencies, percentages, and Figures) and force field analysis. The results indicated that there are twenty-one crafts and productive activities productive activities and crafts, including activities for heritage crafts, handicrafts, and service activity to enjoy nature and village life. It explored that the percentages of applying the D-HOPE Approach were as follows: 60% for owners of craft of modern ceramics and pottery, 45% for owners of traditional pottery craft, 50% for owners of wicker and baskets craft, 33% for owners of craft carpets, kilims, rubbing and tents, 40% for owners of handicrafts, and 61 % for service craft owners. Moreover, the results showed that all crafts and productive activities in the festival contributed to creating a team work spirit; the exchange of experiences, capabilities, and skills in the festival between the owners of crafts and productive activities; and contributed to the success of entrepreneurial works and increase the sales and contracts rates. The research recommendations included the following: try to implement the same methodology that was used in other villages, emphasizing the application of a practical training program to increase the income of entrepreneurs, supporting and preserving governmental and non-governmental organizations for traditional crafts and traditional activities, and supporting festivals and annual fairs in villages for their significant role in rural development