sustainable rural development issues, problems and future challenges 25 may – 19 june 2009 mekong...

Sustainable Rural Sustainable Rural DevelopmentDevelopment

Issues, Problems and Future ChallengesIssues, Problems and Future Challenges

25 May – 19 June 200925 May – 19 June 2009

Mekong InstituteMekong Institute

Khon Kaen, ThailandKhon Kaen, Thailand

Personal IntroductionPersonal Introduction

Name: Erhard F. FloetherName: Erhard F. FloetherBorn in 1946 in Essen / GermanyBorn in 1946 in Essen / Germany1970 Degree in Agricultural Engineering1970 Degree in Agricultural Engineering1970-1981 Assignments in Rural Development 1970-1981 Assignments in Rural Development Projects in IND, CAR, THAI,PER,TUR Projects in IND, CAR, THAI,PER,TUR Irrigation,Crop production;Irrigation,Crop production;1981-1989 Ag.Dev. in Germany1981-1989 Ag.Dev. in GermanySoil Con. Ag. Techn. Food Techn.Soil Con. Ag. Techn. Food Techn.1989-2009 Assignments in Rural & Ag. Dev. In1989-2009 Assignments in Rural & Ag. Dev. InIND, THAI, LAO, VIET, MYAIND, THAI, LAO, VIET, MYASince 1990 based in Khon Kaen - THAILAND Since 1990 based in Khon Kaen - THAILAND

The Situation:The Situation:

More then 50% of the world’s population live in More then 50% of the world’s population live in urban areas;urban areas;

Around 70% of the world’s Around 70% of the world’s poorpoor live in rural areas; live in rural areas;

Extreme poverty is concentrated in two particular Extreme poverty is concentrated in two particular regions: South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa with a regions: South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa with a combined population of around 2 billion people.combined population of around 2 billion people.

Only 6 countries are outside these two regions: Only 6 countries are outside these two regions: Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Laos, Papua New Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Laos, Papua New Guinea and Yemen. (only 3,5% of the total Guinea and Yemen. (only 3,5% of the total population)population)

The Situation:The Situation:

Around 80% of the population in rural Around 80% of the population in rural economies are depending on agriculture economies are depending on agriculture and/or exploitation of natural resources. and/or exploitation of natural resources. (Livestock, fisheries, forest, minerals etc.)(Livestock, fisheries, forest, minerals etc.)

About 2/3 of agricultural land has been About 2/3 of agricultural land has been degraded in the past 50 years by erosion, degraded in the past 50 years by erosion, salinization, compaction, nutrient depletion, salinization, compaction, nutrient depletion, biological degradation or pollution. biological degradation or pollution.

About 40 % of agricultural land has been About 40 % of agricultural land has been strongly or very strongly degraded.strongly or very strongly degraded.

(World Resources Report)(World Resources Report)

Sustainable Rural Sustainable Rural DevelopmentDevelopment

Day 1:Day 1:

Morning:Morning: Part 1: Defining Rural Economy, Part 1: Defining Rural Economy,

Rural Development & Rural Development & Sustainability;Sustainability;

History and Transformation of History and Transformation of Rural Economies;Rural Economies;

Regional & country specific Regional & country specific importance of Rural Economies;importance of Rural Economies;

Afternoon:Afternoon: Country specific presentations;Country specific presentations; Part 2: Changes in land use Part 2: Changes in land use

systems, impact on systems, impact on environment & sustainability;environment & sustainability;

Day 2:Day 2:

Morning:Morning: Part 3: Rural Economy & Part 3: Rural Economy &

Industrialization;Industrialization; The Rural-Urban Relationship or The Rural-Urban Relationship or

Dilemma;Dilemma; Land ownership & responsibilityLand ownership & responsibility

Afternoon:Afternoon: Part 4: Outlook and future Part 4: Outlook and future

challenges for Rural challenges for Rural Development;Development;

Reversing the trail of Reversing the trail of destruction;destruction;

Country specific solutions;Country specific solutions;

Part 1: Defining Rural Economy, Rural Part 1: Defining Rural Economy, Rural Development & Sustainability;Development & Sustainability;

Definitions of Rural Development by:Definitions of Rural Development by:

World Bank,World Bank, Asian Development Bank,Asian Development Bank, FAO (SARD) FAO (SARD) Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Sustainable Agriculture & Rural

DevelopmentDevelopment

ICARRD ICARRD International Conference on Agrarian Reform & International Conference on Agrarian Reform &

Rural DevelopmentRural Development


World Bank (RD objectives):– Increases in rural incomes & broadened opportunities

for rural inhabitants;– Fostering an enabling environment for broad-based &

sustainable rural growth; – Enhancing agricultural productivity & competitiveness– Fostering non-farm economic growth– Improving social well-being, managing and mitigating

risk, & reducing vulnerability; – Enhancing sustainability of natural resource

management. Asian Development Bank (ADB):

– Focus on poverty and inequality– Environmental aspects of economic growth– Changes in the quality of life, improvement in health, &

nutrition, education, environmentally safe living conditions, & reduction in gender & income inequalities

– Inclusive RD is about improving the quality of life of all members of rural society


FAO: SARD is a process that meets a set of criteria:

– Food security: present & future;– Durable employment with sufficient income from agriculture;– Maintains the productive capacity of the natural resources

base; no disruption of ecological cycles or socio-cultural character of rural communities;

– Reduces vulnerability of agriculture sector to adverse natural & socio-economic factors & other risks;

– Strengthens self-reliance

ICARRD: RD is a dynamic process; – Based on the exchange of experiences & locally-designed

solutions & processes; not common guidelines & indicators of success.

– Recognition that land & other natural resources are cultural, social, & historical assets, not just economic.

– Use of these assets must be addressed in an integrated and area-based (territorial) way through dialogue and participatory approaches

Definition of Sustainability:Definition of Sustainability:

Sustainability = Productivity + Conservation of Sustainability = Productivity + Conservation of ResourcesResources

Economic Sustainability or Ecological Sustainability ?Economic Sustainability or Ecological Sustainability ?

Without Ecological Sustainability Without Ecological Sustainability NoNo Economic Economic Sustainability !Sustainability !

Without Economic Sustainability Without Economic Sustainability NoNo Economic Economic Development !Development !

Definition of Development:Definition of Development:

Process of Improvement !Process of Improvement !

Definition of Sustainable Definition of Sustainable Development:Development:

Indicators prepared for UN Commission on Indicators prepared for UN Commission on Sustainable Development (1997, 2001,2006)Sustainable Development (1997, 2001,2006)

PovertyPoverty, Natural hazards, Economic development, , Natural hazards, Economic development, Governance,Governance, Atmosphere, Global economic Atmosphere, Global economic partnership, partnership, Health,Health, Land,Land, Consumption & Consumption & production patterns, production patterns, Education,Education, Oceans, seas, coast , Oceans, seas, coast , Demographics, Freshwater, Biodiversity Demographics, Freshwater, Biodiversity


Selected criteria from the UN indicatorsSelected criteria from the UN indicators

1. Social Criteria1. Social Criteria Poverty,Poverty, Health,Health, Education,Education, Governance,Governance, Demographics,Demographics,

2.Environmental 2.Environmental CriteriaCriteria

Biodiversity,Biodiversity, Freshwater,Freshwater, Oceans, sea, coast,Oceans, sea, coast, Natural hazards,Natural hazards, LandLand

3. Economic Criteria3. Economic Criteria Economic development,Economic development, Global Economic Global Economic

partnership (Trade)partnership (Trade) Consumption& Consumption&

production patternsproduction patterns


Social Criteria:Social Criteria: PovertyPoverty

Income Poverty or Capability Income Poverty or Capability DeprivationDeprivation HealthHealth

Discrimination of Rural PopulationDiscrimination of Rural Population EducationEducation

Discrimination of Rural PopulationDiscrimination of Rural Population JusticeJustice

Social Status of Rural People Social Status of Rural People DemographicsDemographics


2.Environmental Criteria2.Environmental Criteria BiodiversityBiodiversity

Impact of Land Use on Biodiversity Impact of Land Use on Biodiversity FreshwaterFreshwater Availability and Access to Water Availability and Access to Water (Hydrological (Hydrological

Poverty)Poverty) Oceans, sea, coastOceans, sea, coast

Protection and Access to coastlines and oceansProtection and Access to coastlines and oceans Natural hazardsNatural hazards

Protection and relief effortsProtection and relief efforts LandLand

Characterizing Rural Economies:Characterizing Rural Economies:

Around 80% of the population in rural economies are Around 80% of the population in rural economies are depending on agriculture and/or exploitation of depending on agriculture and/or exploitation of natural resources. (Livestock, fisheries, forest, natural resources. (Livestock, fisheries, forest, minerals etc.)minerals etc.)

Poor Access or Deprivation to Public Services:Poor Access or Deprivation to Public Services: Health, Education, Justice, etc.Health, Education, Justice, etc.

Poor InfrastructurePoor Infrastructure Road, rail, communication,Road, rail, communication, Water supply, energy supply,Water supply, energy supply,

Environmental DegradationEnvironmental Degradation Soil degradation,Soil degradation, Pollution of water resourcesPollution of water resources Access to water resourcesAccess to water resources

Land use Systems:Land use Systems:

1. Forestry1. Forestry Most productive and diversified production systemMost productive and diversified production system

2. Agriculture2. Agriculture Rain fed agricultureRain fed agriculture Irrigated agricultureIrrigated agriculture HorticultureHorticulture Small livestockSmall livestock

3. Rangeland3. Rangeland Ruminant livestockRuminant livestock

4. Fisheries4. Fisheries Coastal fisheriesCoastal fisheries Inland fisheriesInland fisheries

Land use systems:Land use systems:

1. Forestry 1. Forestry Highest productivity and reliability of all land use systemsHighest productivity and reliability of all land use systems

Timber for construction, fuel, furniture, ship building Timber for construction, fuel, furniture, ship building etc.etc.

Non timber forest products for furniture, food, forage, Non timber forest products for furniture, food, forage, medicine, wildlife etc.medicine, wildlife etc.

Environmental valueEnvironmental value Key factor in water and nutrient cycleKey factor in water and nutrient cycle

Development (Improvement) during the last 50 years ?Development (Improvement) during the last 50 years ?


2. Agriculture2. Agriculture Major producer of food, feed, fiber & fuelMajor producer of food, feed, fiber & fuel

Rain fed agricultureRain fed agriculture Irrigated agricultureIrrigated agriculture HorticultureHorticulture Small livestockSmall livestock



3. Rangeland/Grassland3. Rangeland/Grassland Major producer of meat, milk, leather, Major producer of meat, milk, leather,

woolwool

Production of livestock (ruminants) Production of livestock (ruminants)



4. Fisheries4. Fisheries

Major producer of Major producer of high qualityhigh quality protein protein

Coast line fisheries,Coast line fisheries, Inland fisheriesInland fisheries


The Rural – Urban Relation or The Rural – Urban Relation or DilemmaDilemma

The Development of cities and civilizations The Development of cities and civilizations was based on the exploitation of Natural was based on the exploitation of Natural Resources and surplus production of rural Resources and surplus production of rural communities.communities.

The Decline of cities and civilizations was The Decline of cities and civilizations was always a result of destroyed Natural always a result of destroyed Natural Resources.Resources.

Diminished forests, degraded soils, Diminished forests, degraded soils, depleted water sources resulted in depleted water sources resulted in territorial expansion and conflicts.territorial expansion and conflicts.


HistoryHistory

Rural Areas provided all resources for the Rural Areas provided all resources for the urban development.urban development.

Forestry for wood, fuel, food;Forestry for wood, fuel, food;

Agriculture for food (grains), fiber, feed, fat;Agriculture for food (grains), fiber, feed, fat;

Grassland for food (meat), fiber, leatherGrassland for food (meat), fiber, leather


Rural Migration - Urbanization – Rural Migration - Urbanization – Industrialization Industrialization

Urban development was restricted by Urban development was restricted by energy supply from renewable sources from energy supply from renewable sources from rural areas (wood, charcoal, water and rural areas (wood, charcoal, water and wind)wind)

The use of fossil energy (coal, gas and oil) The use of fossil energy (coal, gas and oil) ignited industrial developmentignited industrial development


Urbanization and IndustrializationUrbanization and Industrialization

Decline in Land Productivity and increasing Decline in Land Productivity and increasing poverty in rural areas provides the poverty in rural areas provides the manpower for industrialization.manpower for industrialization.

Temporary migration – permanent migrationTemporary migration – permanent migration Fossil fuel driven rapid industrialization is Fossil fuel driven rapid industrialization is

absorbing rural poor.absorbing rural poor. Increasing population pressure results in Increasing population pressure results in

further decline of land productivity.further decline of land productivity.


Urbanization and IndustrializationUrbanization and Industrialization The rural - urban competition for natural The rural - urban competition for natural

and human resources.and human resources. Water resources for urban centers first;Water resources for urban centers first; Energy for urban centers first;Energy for urban centers first; Better education in urban centers;Better education in urban centers; Better health services in urban centers;Better health services in urban centers; Better employment opportunities in urban Better employment opportunities in urban

centers;centers;


Industrialization & Urban Food SupplyIndustrialization & Urban Food Supply The rural sector - from food supplier to raw The rural sector - from food supplier to raw

material supplier.material supplier.

Industry is taking over the food production Industry is taking over the food production for the urban centers.for the urban centers.

Impact of industrial food on population Impact of industrial food on population health.health.

The rural sector is loosing its diversity.The rural sector is loosing its diversity.


Industrialization & Global PollutionIndustrialization & Global Pollution Early warning signsEarly warning signs

Acid Rain, Increased Flood occurrences, Dust Acid Rain, Increased Flood occurrences, Dust storms, declining fish in rivers etc…… storms, declining fish in rivers etc……

The Impacts of Global Warming on Rural The Impacts of Global Warming on Rural EconomiesEconomies

Stronger droughts and floods, lower survival Stronger droughts and floods, lower survival chances for traditional crops, different pests chances for traditional crops, different pests and diseases etc. and diseases etc. (see reference list (see reference list www.cgiar.org)www.cgiar.org)

The Land QuestionThe Land Question

Land Use Rights vs. Land ownershipLand Use Rights vs. Land ownership

Land ownership or Land stewardshipLand ownership or Land stewardship

Traditional land use rightsTraditional land use rights

Land titlingLand titling

Land as collateralLand as collateral

Land dispossession and Land acquisitionLand dispossession and Land acquisition

Future Challenges for Rural Future Challenges for Rural DevelopmentDevelopment

Restoring degraded habitats and Restoring degraded habitats and ecosystems to their fullest biological ecosystems to their fullest biological capacity.capacity.

Retain and protect natural forests and Retain and protect natural forests and grassland.grassland.

(Tree Plantations are (Tree Plantations are NoNo Forest) Forest) Revegetate degraded land with trees and Revegetate degraded land with trees and

perennial crops.perennial crops. Support or enforce a change of cultivation Support or enforce a change of cultivation

practices in agriculture. practices in agriculture. (Conservation Tillage)(Conservation Tillage)


Regain the production of food for urban Regain the production of food for urban centers back from the agro-industry back to centers back from the agro-industry back to rural areas.rural areas.

From raw material supplier to quality food From raw material supplier to quality food supplier through:supplier through:

More diversified products;More diversified products;

Better quality then industrial products;Better quality then industrial products;

Transparent production conditions;Transparent production conditions;


Retaining the value adding of farm produce Retaining the value adding of farm produce to food products in the rural areas.to food products in the rural areas.

Employment & EducationEmployment & Education


Decentralize energy production and use in Decentralize energy production and use in rural areas by renewable energy.rural areas by renewable energy.

(Minimize risk of supply through future price (Minimize risk of supply through future price developments for fossil fuels)developments for fossil fuels)

Reduce absolute consumption of energy and Reduce absolute consumption of energy and natural resources (industrialized countries natural resources (industrialized countries & emerging economies)& emerging economies)

Reference list:Reference list:

Earth Policy Institute – Earth Policy Institute – www.earth-policy.orgwww.earth-policy.org

Worldwatch Institute – Worldwatch Institute – www.worldwatch.orgwww.worldwatch.org

International Food Policy Research Institute – International Food Policy Research Institute –

www.ifpri.orgwww.ifpri.org

International Council for Research in Agroforestry – International Council for Research in Agroforestry –

www.icraf.orgwww.icraf.org

Consultative Group on International Agricultural Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research – Research –

www.cgiar.orgwww.cgiar.org

sustainable rural development issues, problems and future challenges 25 may – 19 june 2009 mekong...

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