An assessment of four community-based agricultural initiatives in South Africa's former Black Homelands indicates that the success of such ventures in terms of community self-reliance, job creation, and poverty alleviation depends upon access to markets; community resources and infrastructure; and training and technical assistance provided by…

In April 2000, over 250 rural leaders from around the nation gathered in Kansas City, Missouri, to discuss rural America's future, its challenges, and policies to meet those challenges. Conference participants agreed that the current pattern of uneven rural growth is likely to persist and that agriculture will remain a key sector in the rural…

African countries need to develop new approaches to socio-economic development and education which are appropriate to the individual needs of each country. The thrust of development programs should be towards small-scale agriculture and industry, self-help villages, and community-based public health programs in rural areas. (AM)

Independence for Africa has not resulted in the expected economic development of industrialization. Mineral-poor states in Africa must rely on limited prosperity coming from an expansion of agricultural commodities. The problem is that despite the prevalence of an agriculture economic base, most African leaders are committed to industrial…

The approach to improving the socioeconomic condition of women in rural Morocco is based on the premise that the family is the key social unit. Women, as the effective pillars of that unit, will automatically benefit from government sponsored family programs. The Moroccan woman's access to food, water, fuel, medical care, personal safety, and rest…

Past rural policies are reviewed, noting the effects of globalization and information technology. Rural business profits can be maximized by direct cost or value-added competition, but cost competition limits the development of productive capacity and leads to unequal income distribution. In contrast, value-added competition could create steep…

This document, which contains the discussion papers and the conclusions of The Kericho Conference held in September, 1966, focuses on rural problems in Kenya, including the related issues of education and employment. Papers dealing with general issues are: "Education, Employment, and Rural Development: The Problem in East Africa";…

Developing nations could greatly improve the quality of life in rural areas by adequately involving women in agricultural extension and training programs. Policy objectives of many developing countries neglect the contributory role of girls and women and often constrain them from seizing opportunities for individual development. In Nigeria, the…

More than half of the world's population, and more than 70 percent of the world's poor live in rural areas where hunger, illiteracy, and low school achievement are common. Education in rural areas is crucial for achieving sustainable development. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and UNESCO's International Institute…