Rural Development

The evolving development in the rural community transcends beyond the provision of services to the poor. Rural development perceived as part of structural transformation aimed at diversifying the economy of the rural economy in a way that increases the income portfolio of the rural as well as improved well-being. Rural development as a concept has thus been highly associated with the promotion of standards of living and as a precondition for reducing rural poverty. The misconception, however, is that rural development will automatically or naturally lead to poverty reduction. Since poverty is institutionalized, rural development approach targeting at strengthening the bargaining power of the poor through the institution should be promoted as a sustainable pro-poor strategy. The development of a rural approach that focuses on increasing the capabilities of the rural community in a way that permits valorization of exchange and increasing their bargaining power can then be envisaged.

DevGRAD network as a platform is of the opinion that development of endogenous growth theory can be envisaged as a rural development pathway if there is a balanced investment in both human and physical capital at the same time. The focus in this theme is the promotion of ideas that can both transform farm and non-farm sectors in the rural community in a way that not only empower the local but also provide an enabling environment that increases their capability in the community. Ideas that cut across rural enterprise development but not limited to agro-business, the creation of opportunities and platform that forges an alliance of related stakeholders. Through the Diaspora driven approach, enhanced partnerships and collaboration can be formed with entrepreneurs in developing countries through which the development community will increase advocacy for rural development and share experiences in best practices and innovation.