Sustainable Development Of Rural Communities Research Articles

Implication of Institutional Frameworks Governing Land Tenure Security in Social-Economic Dynamics: Experience from Iringa District in Tanzania

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the implication of institutional frameworks governing land tenure security in socioeconomic dynamics in the Iringa district. The study used the case of the Iringa district to investigate the institutional framework that provides implications for the governance of land tenure security in Tanzania. Methodology: The study employed phenomenography by collecting primary data from 16 key informants selected from village and district levels. Data from key informants were complemented by documentary review with perception considered deductively. Findings: Findings confirmed the existence of two principal institutional frameworks; the Land Act No. 5 of 1999 and the Village Land Act No. 4 of 1999. Nonetheless, bureaucracy, inadequate policy dissemination, and poverty emerged as primary causes of deviations in land policy implementation in the study area. This study concludes that the successful implementation of Tanzania's land policy in the Iringa District Council has significantly facilitated land tenure security through the issuance of a Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy. Establishing a robust institutional framework and clear land use rules has been central to this success. However, challenges such as complex Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy acquisition procedures, bureaucracy, inadequate policy dissemination, and prevalent poverty in rural areas have been identified as impediments. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was guided by Institutional Theory which describes the interaction of human beings with existing natural resources, the institution involves the regulation of formal rules from constitutions, status laws, and other legal frameworks controlling the interaction and relationship of human behavior. The study contributed to the theory by establishing the relationship between the organization and enforcement of policy and regulatory framework that governs land tenure. Also, the study recommends expanding the Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy issuance, strengthening local land administration, simplifying land use regulations, facilitating easier access to Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy especially for impoverished households, and implementing strategies to reduce bureaucracy and enhancing policy understanding at the grassroots level. These measures aim to enhance land tenure security and support sustainable development in rural communities.

FACTORS AFFECTING SUSTAINABLE POVERTY REDUCTION LIVELIHOODS IN RURAL AREAS IN THE MEKONG DELTA, VIETNAM

Sustainable poverty reduction livelihoods in rural areas is a comprehensive process to solve current problems and build sustainability for the future. Sustainable Poverty Reduction Livelihoods in Rural Areas aims at solutions to reduce poverty and ensure complete and sustainable development of rural communities. The research seeks to discover factors affecting sustainable poverty reduction livelihoods in rural areas. Research data was collected in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. In the survey with the questionnaire, 750 people responded directly to the questionnaire. SPSS 20 and AMOS 24 software are used to analyze data. The data collection process takes place from August to October 2023. Implementation methods include data descriptive statistics, testing scales, analyzing factors' suitability, and testing research structure. The research results show that six factors affect sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction in rural areas in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, including local government policies, infrastructure, education and training, labour market, community involvement, and finance and banking services. From the study's findings, several contents are discussed and suggested to help understand the relationship between factors affecting sustainable poverty reduction livelihoods in rural areas.

Adaptive Reuse of Historic Rural School Buildings in Ukraine in the Poltava Region

The actual problem of adaptive reuse of historic buildings of rural schools in Ukraine is discussed in the article using the example of Poltava region. The history of the construction of Zemstvo schools in Ukraine is researched, the historical and cultural value of school buildings is determined, and their current condition is analyzed. Zemstvo schools of the architect O. Slastion in the Ukrainian architectural style have the greatest historical, cultural and social value. Factors affecting the choice of a new function of former school buildings are identified. For the first time, possible approaches to the adaptive reuse of historic rural school buildings are proposed: strategy of memorialization of buildings, strategy of social integration, strategy of active transformation of buildings. Adaptive reuse of historic school buildings is considered as one of the means of ensuring the sustainable development of rural communities.

Harnessing Hydroelectric Energy from Water Irrigation Pumps: A Sustainable Lighting Solution for Agricultural Fields and Fishponds

This study examines the potential for repurposing water irrigation pumps as a sustainable energy source to generate electricity for the electrification and illuminating of agricultural fields and fishponds. Irrigation pumps are critical for maintaining sufficient water supply for farming operations, particularly during vital activities like harvesting. Conversely, the absence of a reliable nighttime lighting source exhibits challenges for farmers who often resort to flashlights/emergency lights. This research’s objective is to design a water wheel that can be tapped to an adapted water irrigation pump system assembly that can efficiently produce electricity, safeguarding safety and requiring minimal maintenance for farmers. This offers reliable and cost-effective source of electricity, reducing the need for external lighting devices and reducing operational costs for farmers. The research design adopts an experimental approach, evaluating the performance of the modified water irrigation pump system. Data collection includes measuring electricity output, electrical load assessment, and gathering user feedback through interviews and surveys. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate the system's effectiveness and practical significance. Overall, the research seeks to contribute to the sustainable development of rural communities by offering a viable solution to farmers' lighting needs and promoting the adoption of renewable energy practices in agricultural settings.

Public Sector Banks and the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM): Assessing their Role in Rural Financial Inclusion in Sagar District of Madhya Pradesh

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) stands as a significant initiative aimed at alleviating poverty and fostering sustainable livelihoods in rural India. Central to the success of DAY-NRLM is the collaboration with different sectors banks, which play a pivotal role in providing financial services and support to the rural poor. This research seeks to evaluate the role of public sector banks in the implementation of DAY-NRLM, examining their contributions to rural financial inclusion and the challenges they encounter in effectively supporting the mission's objectives. The study analyses the total disbursement amount and total outstanding amount (loans due with Banks) by the public sectors banks in Sagar district under DAY-NRLM scheme. The study utilized mixed method includes qualitative data from stakeholders of DAY-NRLM and secondary data available on official websites. To analyse data descriptive as well as inferential statistical tools were used in this study. To compare the total disbursement amount and total outstanding uses paired t- test has been conducted with the help of SPSS version 27. The study will explore the experiences of public sector banks in DAY-NRLM implementation, identify key success factors, and propose recommendations to enhance their impact in driving inclusive growth and sustainable development in rural communities.

An Empirical Test of the Influence of Rural Leadership on the Willingness to Participate in Public Affairs from the Perspective of Leadership Identification

The participation of villagers in rural public affairs is vital for the sustainable development of rural communities and the improvement of villagers’ quality of life. Various factors, including individual characteristics, village environment, social forces, and national policies, influence villagers’ willingness to participate. However, empirical research on the determinants of villagers’ participation in public affairs often overlooks the role of grassroots leadership. To address this gap, this study proposes a theoretical model examining the relationship between transformational leadership and villagers’ willingness to participate in public affairs. Using a sample of 438 villagers from Jiangsu Province in eastern China, structural equation modeling and regression are employed to analyze the data. The findings indicate that moral modeling, leadership charm, and personalized care directly impact villagers’ willingness to participate in public affairs or indirectly influence it through leadership identification, which acts as a mediator. Furthermore, shared vision enhances the positive relationship between leadership identification and villagers’ awareness of public affairs participation. These findings provide valuable insights for village cadres seeking to promote active participation in public affairs among villagers. Specifically, gaining recognition through virtuous conduct, capabilities, and strong cadre–villager relationships serves as a foundation for influencing villagers’ willingness to participate in public affairs, while shared vision plays a strategic role in mobilizing villagers based on their identification with leaders.

Subject Embedding, Relationship Interaction, and Resource Integration: The Value Co-Creation Mechanism in Rural Communities

Globalization and urbanization have reshaped the way that service ecosystem subjects interact with each other in rural communities, providing conditions and possibilities for realizing value co-creation in rural communities. Therefore, this study selected rural communities in Guiyang City, China, as research subjects and explored the value co-creation mechanism in rural communities from the perspective of service ecosystems. The authors construct a theoretical framework encompassing “value co-creation conditions, value co-creation processes, and value co-creation results”. The study found that the core mechanism in the process of value co-creation is “subject embedding, relationship interaction, and resource integration”. At the macro level, resource sharing is achieved through complex and heterogeneous interactions among multiple subjects, under the influence of institutions, policies, and cultures. At the meso level, organizations complement each other’s resources through the cooperation and empowerment of other actors horizontally, under the influence of structure, function, and rules. At the micro level, individuals optimize resources through cooperative and empowering interactions, under the influence of motivations and value preferences. Finally, the integration of individual, organizational, and overall values constitutes public values, under the joint cross-level action of institutional and cultural elements. This study provides a new theoretical perspective for exploring the value co-creation mechanism in rural communities and provides important practical insights for promoting the sustainable development of rural communities.

Correction: Innovation of argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) products and byproducts for sustainable development of rural communities in Morocco. A systematic literature review

Correction: Innovation of argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) products and byproducts for sustainable development of rural communities in Morocco. A systematic literature review

Innovation of argan (Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) products and byproducts for sustainable development of rural communities in Morocco. A systematic literature review

AbstractArgan tree is endemic of Moroccan arid regions, providing socioeconomic and cultural benefits since ancient times. This study identifies the emerging threats for the argan forest, and the opportunities related to the innovative uses of argan products and byproducts. Argan forest is facing pressure from overgrazing, demand for argan oil and nuts, and land degradation, despite its recognition as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the inclusion in the FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme. Innovative use and recycling of the waste deriving from argan nuts processing, offer promising opportunities to support a local bio-economy. Argan press cake can be used to integrate livestock feeding, to extract sudan dyes or to produce bioplastics. Argan nut shells can be used to produce environment-friendly and low-cost purifying materials and biochar, or as a source of bioenergy. Argan pulp can be used for bioethanol production or to obtain natural insect repellent. Despite these promising opportunities, the socio-economic impact of innovative uses is still limited. Local population is not sufficiently involved in management and development strategies. To support the sustainable development of local communities, it is necessary to promote a participative approach as well as training and product differentiation among argan women cooperatives.

Education for sustainable development in rural communities: Parents' perceptions of children's willingness‐to‐study and learning difficulties associated with school transport in Ukerewe Island, Tanzania

AbstractQuality education and school transport are prerequisites for children to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), but they are disproportionately inadequate in rural communities. This study explores 350 parents' perceptions of the willingness‐to‐study (WTS) and learning difficulties of schoolchildren in Ukerewe Island (Tanzania) based on the mode of transport. The study surveyed 17 rural islands to build structural equation models based on Health Belief Model. The results showed that schoolchildren in Ukerewe Island have learning difficulties caused by the quality of their mode of transport to and from school. The children's learning difficulties were positively associated with perceived severity, self‐efficacy, and vulnerability. The perceived benefits of canoe transport supported the WTS. However, WTS could not buffer learning difficulties. Interestingly, male and female caregivers differ regarding the perceived WTS and their children's learning difficulties. This study contributes mitigation measures relevant to education and transport planning toward realizing SDGs 3, 4, and 10.

Sustainable Rural Community Development Experiences and Lessons

The purpose of this article is multifactorial. The primary question we investigate here refers to human barriers and established practices in a local county that obstructs pathways towards a sustainable future, as well as the measures taken to overcome difficulties and their societal impact. We base our analysis solely on the experience gained during the 2012-2015 planning period for the sustainable development of Vytina county-Greece. Our research focuses on sustainable development and its dependence on local community behaviours, as well as alternative ways for citizen involvement in the development process in order to avoid obstacles encountered in established bottom-up methodologies. Societal constraints include the complexity of communications and relationships between residents, the community's existing internal processes, a complex external environment, and a lack of shared vision which all contribute to the ego of the inhabitants, and to their time availability. These constraints represent obstacles and threats. The fundamentals of the planning process should neutralize and override these obstacles. It is important to recognize and measure these constraints and evaluate their societal impact. Weak predictions/estimates, inconsistent goals, top-down policy decisions, short-sighted planning, resistance to change, and intractable local government can all be barriers to bottom-up methodologies. The bottom-up process, fair and meaningful, is somewhat cumbersome and requires time to mature in order for sustainability practices to be effective. But the pilot application can help foster alternative approaches that allow the citizen to enter the era of sustainability easier and faster. The prerequisite is the existence of a rich cultural heritage. Facing all these problems in the planning for the sustainable development of a local community today, I wonder how a sustainable outer space civilization can be accomplished in the distant future when we have finally arrived at, what Michio K aku refers to as, the God equation or theory of everything.

Exploring the Role of Female Empowerment in Sustainable Rural Tourism Development: an Exploratory Sequential Mixed-Method Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the empowerment of rural women in the context of sustainable tourism development, identify the factors that influence their empowerment, examine the impact of women's empowerment on sustainable tourism development, and explore innovative approaches to empower rural women. Theoretical Framework: This study combines four factors that influence women's empowerment, namely women's entrepreneurship, education, social capital, and human capital, to form a theoretical framework based on empowerment theory, and uses the empowerment of women as a mediator to explore the elements that impact the sustainable growth of rural tourism. Design/Methodology/Approach: A mixed research method was employed, starting with qualitative research, where 11 relevant interviews were conducted to gain a preliminary understanding of the factors affecting women's empowerment and the sustainability of rural tourism. Subsequently, a 68-item survey questionnaire was used in the quantitative research stage. A total of 340 responses were collected. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach's alpha, and validation factor analysis was used to assess its validity. Structural analysis and equation modeling (SEM) techniques were used to test the hypotheses of the study. Findings: The study shows that women's entrepreneurship, education, human and social capital have a positive impact on women's empowerment and sustainable growth of rural tourism. Women's empowerment mediates the relationship between these factors and sustainable development of rural tourism, which also positively impacts sustainable community, economic, environmental, and cultural development. Therefore, promoting women's empowerment and enhancing their access to education and resources are essential for achieving sustainable growth of rural tourism and community development. Research, Practical & Social implications: This study proposes a new theoretical framework that includes female entrepreneurship, education, social capital, and human capital to fill the gap in knowledge. The development of women in rural tourism is also crucial for society's progress towards civilization, and policies and incentives should be implemented to encourage their participation and ensure their effective involvement. This will contribute to the growth and sustainable development of China's rural tourism industry. Originality/value: This research provides valuable insights into the role of women's empowerment, education, human capital, and social capital in driving sustainable rural tourism development.Furthermore, this research has a significant impact on how Chinese farmers participate in rural tourism in the future, providing insights into rural revitalization efforts. This study underscores the importance of innovative research in driving perspectives on rural tourism and empowering women, which are essential elements for the sustainable development of rural communities.

HOW WILL RURAL HOUSES GO GREEN? EXPLORING INFLUENCING FACTORS OF VILLAGERS' PARTICIPATION IN GREEN HOUSING CONSTRUCTION IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

ABSTRACT Traditional rural houses are characterized by high energy consumption, low energy efficiency, waste of energy resources, and high carbon emissions, which are detrimental to China's energy consumption as well as to the environment. It is therefore important to promote green rural housing construction. However, rural villagers' low level of participation has led to a dearth of successfully implemented green rural housing projects, a situation that a lack of relevant research has no doubt contributed to. This paper therefore studies the factors influencing villagers' participation in green rural housing projects based on Bourdieu's theory of practice. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in Yancheng, China, and descriptive analysis, analysis of variance and multivariate ordered logistic regression analysis were performed to understand the participation behavior of villagers and influencing factors of villagers' participation in green rural housing construction. Results indicate that participation of the surveyed villagers is generally not high, and most villagers participated superficially. No differences were detected in villagers' total participation in terms of gender, leisure time, housing type, government propaganda, government management, and government role orientation. Moreover, social network, social economy, construction cost, interest appeals, attention to current affairs, awareness of green environmental protection and total family population are found to affect villagers' total participation. The findings will help the government devise measures to encourage villagers to actively participate in the construction of green rural housing, and thereby realize the goal of low carbon sustainable development of rural communities.

Linking large extractive industries to sustainable development of rural communities at mining sites in Africa: Challenges and pathways

Even though large-scale extractive industries contribute significantly to revenues in mineral-rich African countries, little is known about their effectiveness, and better approaches could align their contribution to the sustainable development of local communities and the environment around their mining sites. This study critically reviews the literature on large-scale extractive investments in Africa published between 2000 and 2022 to understand their current contribution, challenges, and approaches used to support community development and then proposes new pathways for better engagement. Findings show that the offer of large extractive industries to communities is still low, and some are declining over time as technology advances. In many mineral-rich African countries, the government's plans to develop local value and diversify economic sources around mining sites have been ignored or excluded livelihoods for many years and must change. Collaboration, policy coherence, sustainable investment, and diversification of rural economic sources are proposed as pathways that provide the necessary bridge to link extractive industry actors to the sustainable development of surrounding rural communities. For this to happen, the efforts of the African countries and related stakeholders are needed to help local communities to achieve some basic SDGs such as increasing affordable energy (SDG 7), micro-industries, and innovation (SDG 9), diverse employment (SDG 8), improving knowledge to bring local solutions, and creating self-sustaining mining systems (SDG 4). The mining companies must also maintain health and safety of community during and after mining by protecting their land (SDG 15), water quality (SDG 6), life below the earth's surface (SDG 14), climate change (SDG 13), and peace and justice (SDG 16).

Evolution of the European Union’s policy for development of rural communities in the context of the European Green Deal strategy implementation

This article refers to development support instruments for rural communities in the European Union (EU). The author presents the systemic and strategic determinants of creation and delivery of the EU rural community policy, as well as the origins and evolution of the Union policy in the abovementioned scope. The analysis is focused on the specific institutional and financial solutions which promote sustainable development of rural communities. The article demonstrates that multi-level and multi-agent nature of the development management system in the EU affects the implementation of a neo-endogenous policy towards rural communities in the EU. The text also presents developments in the implementation of EU policy for rural communities after 2021 in the context of the implementation of the European Green Deal (EGD) strategy.

The Resilience and Survival of Traditional Medicine in the Oku Fondom of Cameroon

Traditional medicine is a holistic discipline that involves indigenous herbalists and African spirituality and has been practice in Cameroon for centuries. This study examines the historical resilience and survival of traditional medicine in Oku, Cameroon. The study traces the historical development of tradi-medical practices, identifying the key historical events and social factors that have influenced their resilience and survival and assessing their effectiveness in meeting the health care needs of the local population. To achieve this, the research used qualitative approach based on historical analysis and archival research. The findings show that traditional medicine in Oku has a long history deeply rooted in local culture and community practices. The resilience and survival of traditional medicine in Oku has been shaped by complex interplay of historical events and social factors such as colonialism, modernization and globalization. Despite the challenges posed by these factors, traditional medicine in Oku has continue to adapt and evolve, demonstrating its resilience and effectiveness in addressing the health needs of the local population. The study concludes that a historical appraisal of tradi- medical practices in Oku provides valuable insight into the broader issues of cultural heritage, health equity and sustainable development of rural communities. The findings of this study have important implications for policy and practices of TM, healthcare, and cultural preservation. It is hoped that the findings of this study will inform policy and practice in the fields of TM, healthcare, and cultural preservation as well as contribute to the overall well-being of the local population in Oku.

Current Challenges to the Sustainable Development of Rural Communities in Russia’s Central Chernozem Region

Current Challenges to the Sustainable Development of Rural Communities in Russia’s Central Chernozem Region

Durability Evaluation of New Composite Materials for the Construction of Beehives

Given the current situation we face regarding climate change, one of the greatest and most critical concerns is related to the reduction in the bee population. This population largely depends on beekeeping production units around the world. However, these production units also face great challenges in the construction of beehives, as pine word generally deteriorates within a period of five years or less. This relatively rapid deterioration has both economic and environmental repercussions, which may affect the economic sustainability of the beekeeping system. The objective of this research was the production and subsequent evaluation of the durability of alternative composite materials that can be used in beehive construction. The materials are based on high-density polyethylene and agro-industrial residues (fique fiber, banana fiber, and goose feathers) from the Boyacá region of Colombia. The composite materials studied in the present study were exposed to xylophagous fungi for 90 days, at constant humidity and under controlled temperature conditions that are conducive to fungi proliferation. The results showed that composite materials that include fique fibers are the most promising substitute for wood in the construction of beehives. Indeed, these materials were shown to be 80% more resistant to pathogen attack and durable weight loss than pine wood. These durability results may be of great importance for future implementation in beekeeping production units. They have the potential to impact not only the sustainable development of rural communities, but also to make a great ecological contribution by reducing the need to cut down trees while maintaining the health of beehives.

Solar–Biogas Microgrid: A Strategy for the Sustainable Development of Rural Communities in Pakistan

Access to uninterrupted power is not a luxury but a basic need. Rural communities living far from the national grid, particularly those in the southern region of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, have limited access to a reliable power supply. In order to provide sustainable electricity, small-scale off-grid renewable energy systems are increasingly used for rural electrification. These systems are commonly known as stand-alone home systems or community micro-grids. This paper proposes an off-grid solar–biogas micro-grid for rural communities in the Lakki Marwat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The area is mainly dependent upon income from the agricultural and livestock sectors. HOMER was used to simulate the electric power system, while RET-Screen was used to analyze the economics of the system. The optimized system’s results demonstrate that the most economically and technically possible system, which produces 515 kWh and 338.50 m3 biogas daily, is made up of a 30-kW photovoltaic system coupled with a 37-kW biomass hybrid system, a 64-kWh battery storage capacity, and a 20-kW invertor. The system will meet the cooking and power needs of 900 individuals who reside in 100 homes. In addition to household users, the system will provide fixed-priced electricity to productive buildings, and free electricity to community buildings. The system will generate 1300 kg of organic fertilizer each day, which will be sold to local farmers for 50% less than what it would cost on the open market. The proposed approach is techno-economically viable based on the payback period and internal rate of return.

АГРОМАРКЕТИНГ ЯК ІНСТРУМЕНТ ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ СТАЛОГО РОЗВИТКУ СІЛЬСЬКИХ ГРОМАД

Purpose. Substantiation of the importance of agromarketing as a tool for ensuring sustainable development of rural communities in order to increase the level of competitiveness of agricultural producers, improve the quality of life of rural population and achieve environmental safety in rural areas. Methodology. The analysis of theoretical foundations and practical use of agromarketing in the activities of agricultural producers is based on methods such as monographic, economic-statistical, graphic, systematization, systemstructural, scientific generalization. Results. It is proved that the value of agromarketing is a systematic study of the market, the identification of the latest technologies and to promote their introduction into production, to meet the needs of the consumer. It is noted that in order to enter the agricultural market of agricultural products it is necessary to meet the needs of the consumer by improving its quality and competitiveness and expanding the range. It is proposed to process agricultural products at the site of its production or cultivation to reduce the loss of raw materials, which will help to increase the profits of enterprises. It is proved that the use of principles, methods, and complex of agromarketing in the activities of agricultural producers will contribute to the expansion of the range and markets of agricultural products, the development of organic production, and the cultivation of niche crops. It is substantiated that the involvement of agromarketing tools in management of economic activity will allow ensuring the competitiveness of the industry, improving the quality of life of the rural population and rationally using, protecting and reproducing natural resources. Scientific novelty. The role of agromarketing in the activities of agricultural producers in the context of achieving sustainable development of rural communities is substantiated. Practical significance. The results of the study form a scientific and practical basis for the development of an agricultural enterprise strategy by strengthening its competitive advantages, which will help to form a positive image of the agricultural producer, the development of a brand that will identify the company and its products.