Rural Development Policy Research Articles

Development of rural economy: Еuropean priorities for transition economies

The study substantiates the fact that the need to consolidate various approaches to the establishment and development of the rural economy in different countries is increasing, which is explained by the growing degree of transparency of national economies, intensified cooperation between them and the creation of interstate economic entities. In this context, there is a direct correlation between the globalization of the economy and the convergence of rural development policy, which is based on the mechanism of inclusive rural transformation. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the special features of the development of the rural economy as an objective process of market transformation and outline the benefits of the European experience for transition economies. It was substantiated that radical structural and institutional transformations in socioeconomic systems (both sectoral and territorial) were the impetus for the development of the rural economy as a modern phenomenon in the field of scientific knowledge around the world. First of all, this refers to the countries where the agricultural sector predominates in the development of GDP, and there is also a significant share of the rural population in relation to the urban population. It was proved that rural areas require a separate policy and mechanisms to manage their development, develop an appropriate institutional platform for the functioning of the rural economy and rural business, ensure proper living conditions for rural residents, preserve the environment, rural flair as well as cultural and historical heritage. The specific features of inclusive rural transformation in different groups of countries (with transition, agricultural, and urban economies) are highlighted, which reflects the process of increasing rural productivity, expanding employment opportunities, improving access to services and infrastructure, enabling policy influence, etc. It was theoretically proved that the effectiveness of market levers determines intersectoral cooperation and the level of economic development of the country (including the territorial division – urban and rural areas). It was established that the implementation of a successful economic policy on the transition to market principles in some countries, particularly EU member states, and their recognition as leaders of economic growth is accompanied by targeted government support and active innovation-oriented government policy with prudent use of various institutional regulators. The necessity and advantages of using the European experience of rural economy development for the countries with transition economies are proved

Rural infrastructure and production efficiency of food crop farmers: Implication for rural development in Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of rural infrastructure on production efficiency of food crop rural farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of 160 farming households from 20 communities in Abeokuta and Ilaro in Ogun State Agricultural Development Programme (OGADEP) were randomly selected. Descriptive statistics, budgeting, Infrastructure Index Estimation (IIE) and Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) were used to analyze the collected data. Results revealed that rural dwellers’ major economic and livelihood activities were farming (51.9%), trading (26.3%) and food processing (19.4%). The budgeting analysis showed that food crop production was more profitable in developed areas than in less-developed areas with Net Farm Income (NFI) of $328.900 (₦119,402.90/hectare) and $179.496 (₦65,163.68/hectare), respectively. SPF showed that total land cultivated (p<0.05), family labour (p<0.01), hired labour (p<0.05) as well as cost of planting inputs (p<0.01) significantly influenced food crop output. It was concluded that farm size, labour and cost of planting materials were the major factors affecting food crop output, irrespective of the presence of infrastructural facilities or not in the study area. The research recommends that all-inclusive rural infrastructural development policies should be formulated towards efficient food crop production in Nigeria.

INDICAÇÃO GEOGRÁFICA PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO TERRITORIAL: CRÍTICAS E DIMENSÕES NO CASO DA INDICAÇÃO DE PROCEDÊNCIA SERRO (BRASIL)

Geographical indications (GI) are part of the existent Intelectual Property instruments. It is a sign used on services or products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or reputation that are due to that origin. It reflects a unique combination of natural resources, cultural assets and history in a given territory. In Brazil, the GI policy is part of the rural development policies. While functioning as product differentiators on the market, GIs also serve to territorial development due to the link with the territory and the collective process needed to its recognition. Thus, this work aimed to analyze witch aspects of development are achieved short-term after the recognition of a geographical indication. The indication of provenance of Serro was chosen due to the period of recognition as well as the importance of the product (artisanal cheese) in Minas Gerais. The exploratory-descriptive research was performed by the case study method with in-depth interviews and documental analysis. In the case studied, the territorial development has not been fully achieved. Impacts related to physical-economic, human and social capital were listed. Nevertheless, the analysis showed that the effectiveness of geographical indications is based on management, commercial, political and social activities.

Productive vs. residential economy: Factors behind the recovery of rural areas in socioeconomic decline

The analysis and explanation of the diverse rural dynamics might help to design better targeted rural development policies. We focus on Galicia (Spain) as a case study of a region in demographic decline, in order to trace what factors are associated with the recovery of specific rural areas. Since demographic ageing and depopulation are often an inheritance from strong migration processes in the past, and the resulting imbalances, we use a statistical method by Martínez Filgueira, Peón &amp; López Iglesias (2017) to remove thedemographic drag due to past migration. We then perform a multivariate statistical analysis that explores the relationship of the municipalities’ population growth beyond the drag with a total of 50 indicators in 10 domains, including territorial, such as infrastructures and remoteness, economic diversification, the profitability of business activities, human capital, and quality of life indicators, such as access to public services and trends of rurbanisation. We obtain mixed results for the dichotomy ‘entrepreneurshipversus quality of life’. The main findings are the evidence of agglomeration economies –the distance to the main cities and the size of the county capital– and the positive impact of socio-economic variables such as disposable income and stock of human capital. In addition, we obtain a correspondence between rural areas in recovery and a higher density of companies and self-employment in the services sector.

Rural Development and the “POSEI” Regime for European Islands: Between Remoteness, Subsidiarity and the “Delivery Model”

European islands and other remote territories areas have specific features and constraints and they thus require a targeted assistance at EU level. As a result, the EU has put in place numerous provisions that have been providing an invaluable support, particularly through its rural development policy and in its dedicated programme for agriculture in EU outermost regions. Currently, discussions for a reform of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) are ongoing at the EU Parliament and Council. The new system proposed by the Commission legislative proposal submitted in June 2018 is based on the two key concepts of increased subsidiarity and the so-called “delivery model.” A crucial question is therefore what the impact of this reform could be, once approved, for agricultural activities in European islands and other remote regions for the future programming period (2021–2027). Our hypothesis is that the “delivery model” and subsidiarity complement each other: the new proposed CAP aims at being more subsidiary because, thanks to the result-based approach of the “delivery model,” the carrying out of performances at local level will be enhanced. This increased autonomy presents some challenges for insular and remote territories; however, it also presents huge opportunities in terms of political discretion in the choice of the best tools for the management of their own territory, as well as in terms of voice in EU negotiations. In sum, there is reason to believe that enhanced subsidiarity, coupled with the “delivery model,” would eventually help insular and remote territories to reduce the gap between Brussels and the most far-out territories of the EU

Análisis Input-Output de la eficacia de la Política Europea de Desarrollo Rural 2007- 2013. Propuesta metodológica y resultados para Castilla-La Mancha

La implementación del nuevo Fondo Europeo Agrícola de Desarrollo Rural (FEADER) refleja la decidida apuesta de la Unión Europea por convertir la Política de Desarrollo Rural en el segundo pilar de la Política Agrícola Común (PAC). La eficacia del FEADER para conseguir los objetivos propuestos será clave a la hora de determinar el éxito de esta nueva estrategia; de ahí la importancia de la evaluación de impacto. En este trabajo se propone una metodología, basada en el análisis input-output, que mediante un modelo multiregional permite evaluar los efectos sobre la producción, el valor añadido y empleo dentro de la región objetivo y fuera de ella (España, UE-27 y resto del mundo).

Rural Development in Nepal: A Historical Perspective

Least developed country like Nepal, the development programmes and policies are key components for the livelihood of rural poor and sustainable development. This paper is tries to carry out the historical perspectives of rural development in Nepal. The rural development policies and programmes are also essential for the national development. But the implemented policies and programmes for rural development by the governments of different time periods in Nepal are not sufficient as rural Nepal needed. It is strongly required to launch the agriculture based policies and programmes for rural Nepal. Using secondary information, the paper analyzes the major provision for the rural development in the country. Moreover, the rural development sector needs to develop some more popular and specific development policies and programmes and models of development.

RURAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES IN EUROPE: SOCIAL FARMING IN THE COMMON STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK (HORIZON 2020)

Social Farming (SF) is an emerging sector in the rural European context, but the European Economic and Social Committee (2013/C 44/07) emphasizes that SF should be planned and implemented under the new 2014-20 rural development policy because of the positive results obtained. The SF concept can be associated with agriculture as a multifunctional activity, giving agricultural practice new meanings and functions and incorporating social services, medical treatment and rehabilitation, and educational training and support. In addition, agriculture must be considered as a means of employment and social integration for groups as diverse as individuals who are unemployed or living with mental retardation, mental disorders, or addictions, among others. As a result, innovative SF activities are contributing to the social economy, rural and regional development, and support for a new agro-social paradigm. These are mainly activities linked with the endogenous resources of the territory that generate new enterprises, together with complementary activities that consolidate an economic network as the basis for regional development.

Designing Policy Framework for Smart Entrepreneurship and Self-reliant Smart Village Economy: An Entrepreneurial Funnel Framework - Tribhuvan Nath

Smart village is a relatively new and innovative concept in rural development policy. This paper aims at emphasizing the need for smart villages; and sets out the policy framework for smart village development and smart entrepreneurship towards making self-reliant smart village economy. The designed policy framework integrates two inter linked and inter dependent parts: (I) framework for smart village development, and (II) funnel framework for smart entrepreneurship. The first framework for smart village development consists of two major steps which includes selection process of a village and formation of expert consortiums of specialized development institutions. Some important consortiums which essentially required for smart village development are consortiums for the development of infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, hygiene & sanitation, e-governance and entrepreneurship development. The second framework is called as funnel framework for smart entrepreneurship development in the selected village with six entrepreneurial steps consisting of awareness-cum-promotion, competency assessment / mapping, capacity building (basic & advanced stage), business support in enterprises setup and lastly performance measurement including mentoring towards attaining business sustainability. The entrepreneurial funnel framework clearly illustrates that the approximate turnout rate of rural participants’ decreases over the every next stage of entrepreneurial interventions / activities and it finally reaches to about 5-8 per cent level (potential entrepreneurs) who successfully completes all specified stages as per the framework to start their enterprise. The policy framework was designed on evidence based observations and experiences of various village adoption s (VAP) including the successful interventions under the smarTgram project in the state of Haryana (India). The study has policy implication for making smart villages in the country. The entrepreneurial funnel approach provides policy guidelines for smart entrepreneurship development for making self-reliant smart-village economy.

Rural Development Research and Policy: Perspectives from Federal and State Experiences with an Application to Broadband

Throughout time and space, rural economies have changed, but they have seemingly remained disadvantaged. In this article, I discuss rural development research and policy from federal and state perspectives and provide lessons learned from my rural broadband work in both contexts. I promulgate better integration of federal and state government, academia, and the private sector to solve rural economic development challenges. Fostering relationships among federal and state rural development researchers and outreach practitioners would allow researchers to better anticipate future research needs as contacts in the field, or inside the beltway, could share an early look into where they need on-the-ground problem-solving support. I close with suggestions for fostering these relationships and I encourage my SRSA colleagues to embrace the wonderful interdisciplinary nature of regional science in addressing rural development and policy challenges.

Multifunctional agriculture: Policies and implementation in China

AbstractMultifunctional agriculture (MFA) has been supported in the European Union (EU) for over two decades, primarily as part of rural development policy in which agriculture is encouraged to deliver a range of economic, social and environmental outcomes. MFA has also grown in some countries without significant policy support, notably in peri‐urban fringes in North America and Australasia. Further expansion of this phenomenon is now apparent in China under strong central government policy directives from the early 2000s. Drawing upon a decade of studies of MFA in China, this paper examines some of the responses to various related policy initiatives, including major programs, such as Grain for Green, which have encouraged farmers to generate environmental services. It also refers to the scope for individual farm households to take initiatives leading to MFA via adoption of multiple functions on smallholdings (e.g., rural tourism, food processing). Various interpretations of MFA are explored, with a focus on how central government policy directives have driven take‐up of various MFA‐related initiatives.

Could arid and semi-arid abandoned lands prove ecologically or economically valuable if they afford greater soil organic carbon storage than afforested lands in China’s Loess Plateau?

As in the rest of the world, China assumed afforestation was an effective means of helping to mitigate the negative impacts of global warming, soil erosion and soil degradation, and returned large areas of farmland to woodland. At the same time, due to industrialization and urbanization, large tracts of arable land were abandoned, especially on the Loess Plateau. To explore which land use type has greater potential to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and thus provide suggestions for land use policy in this region, a comparison of soil organic carbon storage under abandoned and afforested lands was undertaken in the northwest part of the Loess Plateau (Huining County, Gansu province, China). The soil water content, pH, soil bulk density, soil organic carbon content and overall organic carbon storage of soils (0-1.0 m depth) were measured in each of 21 plots (10 m × 10 m) on the abandoned (apricot trees) lands, and 21 similar plots on the afforested lands. Soils under the two land use types showed no significant differences in gravimetric water content or pH up to 1.0 m in depth. The soil bulk density, organic carbon content and organic carbon storage under the abandoned lands (1.18 Mg m-3, 7.07 g kg-1, and 80.58 Mg ha-1, respectively) were all significantly higher than under the afforested lands (1.13 Mg m-3, 6.62 g kg-1, and 71.8 Mg ha-1, respectively). Although benefits such as strong soil carbon fixation and lower water consumption were greater in the abandoned lands, this does not imply that afforested lands should be converted into abandoned lands, as they can provide wind barriers, reduce soil erosion, and maintain high biodiversity. However, given the integration of urban and rural development policies, as well as worsening food security issues attributable to the loss of arable lands to urbanization, some focus should be placed on the use of abandoned lands through consolidation.

Exploring the heterogeneity of second homes and the ‘residual’ category

Abstract This paper contributes to the growing literature on the uneven geography of second homes in three ways. First, the heterogeneous nature of second homes in a rural, mountainous area of the European periphery is identified. Second, a conceptual model is developed, relating this heterogeneity to different types of population mobility. Third, a category of property, termed ‘residual’ is shown to be a part of the second home typology within the study area, albeit with a varied and ambiguous role. The spatial patterns of different types of second home are analysed and their implications for the local impact of rural development policies discussed.

Agricultural sustainability assessment framework integrating sustainable development goals and interlinked priorities of environmental, climate and agriculture policies

AbstractThe agricultural sustainability issues are widely addressed in scientific literature and various reports by international organizations. However, there is lack of harmonized approach in addressing agricultural sustainability issues as different policies are targeting different sustainability issues in agriculture. This article analyses sustainable agriculture development and agriculture sustainability concepts and sustainability assessment approaches and tools developed for agriculture sector. Based on systematic critical literature review, this article develops the new indicators framework for sustainability assessment in agriculture which allows us to achieve harmonization of sustainable development, climate and agricultural policies in European Union (EU). The proposed indicators framework allows us to address the main sustainability issues of agriculture by linking them with sustainable development goals, environmental, climate and rural development policy priorities in EU. The main contribution of this article is linking rural policy goals with sustainable development, climate change mitigation and environmental policy goals by providing agricultural sustainability assessment framework allowing us to track these linkages through indicators system.

A Different Perspective to Rural Development Approach: Pro-Poor Tourism and Elazıg Case

Küreselleşme politikalarının uygulamaları sonucunda ortaya çıkan ve giderek artan bir şekilde devam eden ve ekonomik bunalımlar ile kendini hissettiren yoksulluk problemi tüm dünyada özellikle dezavantajlı gruplardaki bireyler üzerinde olumsuz etkisini göstermektedir. Yerküre üzerinde yoksul halkın %70’i kırsal alanlarda hayatlarını devam ettirmektedir. Yoksulluk sorunu bu insanları şiddetli bir şekilde etkilemektedir. Bu bağlamda ortaya atılan Yoksul-Yanlısı Turizm Yaklaşım Modeli, kırsaldaki yoksulluk sorununa çözüm getirmeyi, kalkınmasını sağlayamayan bölge ve mekanların turizm potansiyelini aktif hale getirmeyi ve bu bölgelerde farkındalık sağlamayı hedeflemektedir. Elazığ ilinde gerçekleştirilen bu çalışma ile Yoksul-Yanlısı Turizm Yaklaşım Modelinin burada uygulanabilirliği sayesinde kırsal kalkınma politikasına farklı bir bakış açısı getirmektir. Elazığ ilinde uygulanan anket çalışması ile yoksulluk problemine turizmin katkı sunacağı, sektörün geliştirilmesi sonucunda ivme gösteren bir sektör olacağına yönelik bulgular saptanmıştır. Turizm ile ilgili gerekli envanter, yatırım ve tanıtım faaliyetleri sonucunda turizm sektörünün çarpan etkisinden Elazığ ilinin faydalanılacağını söylemek mümkündür.

Energia solar como fator de desenvolvimento rural e a produção de leite em Goiás

Este trabalho tem como objetivo geral compreender os desafios para a ampliação do uso de energia solar no Brasil, sobretudo no meio rural e em Goiás, visando promover o desenvolvimento social, ambiental e econômico. Destaca-se a atividade leiteira goiana como objeto de estudo, demonstrando como os produtores, em sua maioria compostos por agricultores familiares, mesmo estando em uma região com grande capacidade de geração de energia fotovoltaica, ficam à mercê das matrizes energéticas tradicionais e não renováveis, como a petrolífera e a hidrelétrica. Por meio de analises documentais e bibliográficas, subsidiadas por análise indireta de dados, em uma perspectiva qualitativa, busca-se compreender as políticas públicas voltadas à promoção do desenvolvimento rural e os entraves para a adoção de uma matriz energética limpa, a solar. Depreende-se que o alto custo para a implantação dos sistemas fotovoltaicos e a ausência de incentivos por parte do poder público são entraves para a autonomia e melhores condições de vida dos agricultores familiares goianos que se ocupam da atividade leiteira como fonte principal de renda. Assim, aponta-se a ampliação do Programa Goiás Solar e a construção de uma agenda de políticas públicas formuladas a partir da necessidade dos sujeitos do campo como saídas para a crise de distribuição energética que assola o estado, gerando um desenvolvimento que expanda as liberdades individuais e coletivas. Palavras-Chave: Desenvolvimento rural. Energia limpa. Crise energética. Políticas Públicas. Produção de Leite.

Financial accessibility in branchless municipalities: an analysis for Andalusia

ABSTRACT Financial accessibility as a way of ensuring financial inclusion has received increasing attention. However, most of studies have drawn attention to the likelihood of becoming branchless and not on the differential characteristics of branchless municipalities. The aim this paper is to assess financial accessibility in branchless municipalities of the most populated region of Spain, Andalusia, and to examine their distribution across space. To that end, we identify the nearest bank branch for each branchless municipality. In addition, we incorporate socio-economic characteristics of each municipality in order to identify different groups of branchless municipalities. The results obtained suggest that there are substantial differences across branchless municipalities. In particular, we identify two degrees of financial accessibility: moderate and poor. Population dynamics are revealed as a key factor in explaining financial accessibility although this can be ameliorated by a higher per capita income and a greater industrial specialization. From a territorial point of view, we find a high concentration of branchless municipalities across space. Some initiatives should be taken in order to avoid that people become financially excluded. In this sense, local action groups responsible for rural development policies could identify the main negative effects and propose the most suitable alternative services.

Rural Development in Romania – A Few Considerations

Abstract The ‘Agenda 2000’ introduces the Rural Development Policy, as part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as a complex policy that can ensure a stable income and a reasonable standard of living for the rural population. Rural development is a major CAP objective since over 50% of the population lives in rural areas and accounts for 80% of E.U. Territories. As a concept, the ‘rural area’ is defined both at a national and European level following specific criteria; however, these criteria differ from one country to another. A complete definition can be found in the European Charter of Rural Areas. Between 2014-2020, the development of rural areas in Romania is supported by the National Rural Development Program. It provides non-reimbursable funds from the European Union and funding from the Government of Romania. Convergence with the Europe 2020 Strategy is ensured through the Partnership Agreement with the European Union, which covers a number of challenges and thematic objectives. In order to achieve them, well-founded investment programs are needed. These programs must have a direct impact on increasing the living standards of the population residing within rural areas. Over 19 billion euros were allocated to Romania for the 2014-2020 period; these funds were used for agricultural policy and rural development. The total budget of the NRDP (2014-2020) is 9.4 billion euros, of which 1.3 billion euros comes from national funding. We believe the achievements recorded in rural areas, up to 2020, are modest and do not reflect the proposed objectives. Thus, projects were drawn up at national and local levels seldom support rural development and do not reflect development needs; sadly, these projects are often drawn up without focusing on efficiency.

Analysis of farms characteristics related to innovation needs: a proposal for supporting the public decision-making process

Innovation is considered as one of the key drivers for a competitive and sustainable agriculture and the European Commission highlights the importance of tailoring innovation support to farmers’ needs, especially in European Rural Development Policy (reg EU 1305/2013). The scientific literature offers a wide panorama of tools and methods for the analysis of innovation in agriculture but the lack of data on the state of innovation in the farms hampers such studies. A possibility to partially overcome this limit is the use of data collected by the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). The aim of this study is to propose a method to deduce farms’ innovation needs, related to the macro objectives of European Rural Development Policy, using the economic and financial results of the Italian FADN survey. A list of farm management indicators has been identified connected with the innovation demand. Then, using FADN accounting data, indicators have been calculated for homogeneous groups of farms in terms of territory, economic size, and productive sector. In this way, critical farm issues related to innovation needs have been highlighted Finally, as an example of application, measures of the Rural Development Programs (RDP) have been proposed for each farm critical issue. This method can facilitate policy makers and Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) organizations in identifying some targeted interventions, thanks to a deep analysis of rural contexts and farm systems. The current FADN does not provide specific information concerning the implementation of innovation by farms; for this purpose, new and suitable variables should be added to the annual survey.

Off-farm role in stabilizing disposable farm income: A Lithuanian case study

The paper aims to investigate family farm income volatility by decomposing disposable farm income (DFI) into the on-farm income, income from production support and off-farm income (OFI) over time. The research is focused on the OFI, assessing its role in achieving DFI above reference level based on the average net earnings. Three main indicators consistent with Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) were indicated. The research results revealed the significance of OFI. In 2017, 76% of the family farms were engaged in off-farm activities indicating, on one hand that such approaches as part-time farming or lifestyle farming are becoming more attractive to Lithuanian family farmers. On the other hand, research disclosed that farms mostly engaged in off-farm activities yield the lowest on-farm income levels. Moreover, the OFI tends to produce a stabilizing effect on quite a number of farmers as the majority of family farms cannot rely upon the on-farm income as their only income source. Thus, the agricultural and rural development policy makers, aimed at supporting viable farm income and strengthening farm resilience, have to answer the part-time farmers’ needs.