PART I - RURAL DEVELOPMENT STATISTICS

Chapter II - NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES

Paul Fensom

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK

Joint UNECE/EUROSTAT/FAO/OECDMeeting on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Europe

Rome, 29 June 2005

Overview

II.1 A few examples of national rural development policies

II.2 Rural development from a sectoral based approach – agriculture

II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach

II.4 Conclusions Annex - summary of EU agriculture and

rural development policies

England - economic and social regeneration, social justice for all and enhancing the value of the countryside

Sweden - working for good living conditions and development opportunities for rural areas and rural populations

Ireland - ensuring the economic and social well being of rural communities

India - five elements of social and economic infrastructure, critical to the quality of life in rural areas, were identified – health, education, drinking water, housing and roads

Zambia - bringing about new approaches in the agricultural sector, which are aimed at empowering local communities

II.1 A few examples of national rural development policies

II.2 Rural development from a sectoral based approach – agriculture

Agricultural perspective developed countries agricultural policy provides

less and less stimulus to the viability of the rural economy

but it is important that countries continue to monitor both the share of output provided by agriculture as well as pluriactivity

Trends in agriculture in the last 50 years plummeting employment skyrocketing productivity

II.2 Rural development from a sectoral based approach – agriculture (cont.)

The current situation for agriculture and associated issues

The farm policy dilemma viable rural communities may better be assured

by comprehensive area‑targeted programmes than by traditional agricultural production‑linked payments. In other words, a shift from a sectoral to a territorial policy approach

II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach

Employment – the driving force of rural development rurality in itself is not a handicap for job creation

Trends for rural regions rural areas and their economies are very

heterogeneous why do certain rural regions perform better than

others? Entrepreneurship and job creation in rural

areas

II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.)

Are manufacturing and services now the pillars of rural development? almost by default, the survival of many rural

communities will depend upon maintaining a manufacturing base

Merging industry sectors agriculture and pharmaceuticals agri-tourism agri-environment

II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.)

Industrial structures and characteristics of rural and urban economies A mix of business with respect to size and

industrial branch seems to better lay the foundation for a more stable labour market

Sectorial mix and territorial dynamics sectoral mix can restrain economic development,

whilst regional specific factors can make a region leading or lagging

important to understand the relationships here

II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.)

Education and employment in rural regions more than half of the world's population and more

than 70 per cent of the world's poor are to be found in rural areas where hunger, illiteracy and low school achievement are common.

The role of tourism it grows faster than total employment, up to 10

times faster than for the labour force as a whole, and is considered an important potential source of employment for many rural areas

II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.)

The importance of communications Rural services standards Objectives and instruments for rural policies

enhancing “competitiveness” of rural regions shifting to an approach based on strategic

investments shifting from a sectoral to a place‑based approach enhancing business assistance developing human resources providing public services

II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.)

New issues in rural policy-making The need to develop tailor‑made regional policies

eg the EU LEADER initiative co‑operation at regional and local levels usually

through partnerships interactions with adjacent areas

The role of information and communication technology for rural development the Zambia Community Radio Project is reaching

out to thousands of villagers, passing on life-saving information and motivational stories

II.3 Rural development from a territorial based approach (cont.) Rural policies in the European Union

total Community spending on rural development has been increasing and now exceeds €6 billion

CAP reform means: single farm payment for EU farmers, linked to the

respect of environmental, food safety, animal and plant health and welfare standards

the requirement to keep farmland in good agricultural and environmental condition.

strengthened rural development policy reduction in direct payments for bigger farms to finance

new rural development policy.

II.4 Conclusions

the shift from a sectorial to a territorial policy approach

the increased use of partnerships between public, private and voluntary sectors

regional policies play an important role but need to understand and be sensitive to the differences between urban and rural areas within the region

agriculture continues to play an important role in rural economies