As the global COVID-19 pandemic is threatening to stall progress for the world’s rural populations, the newly
released the World Social Report 2021 “Reconsidering Rural Development” has stressed the need for moving rural development to the centre of attention instead of treating it as an appendage of urban development. Despite the persistent high levels of poverty and inequalities, the new approaches made possible through improved access and Internet connectivity can raise the standard of living for approximately 3.4 billion people living in rural areas, without them having to migrate to cities. As per the report, the pandemic has proven that new technologies can enable rural populations to flourish, ending the rural–urban divide in a big way.
Some 67 per cent of the populations of low-income countries and 60 per cent of lower-middle income countries are rural. About 80 per cent of those living below the international poverty line reside in rural areas, and about one-fifth of rural people live in extreme poverty, which is four times higher than for the urban population. They have less access to education, health and other essential services. Rural women, older persons, as well as indigenous people continue to experience discrimination when it comes to land rights and employment. Rural areas contain most of the planet’s natural capital, which is currently being depleted and degraded. Deforestation and unsustainable land practices have greatly contributed to climate change and the spread of zoonotic diseases.
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UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the new technologies opened up new opportunities for rural development. “Opportunities exist to build a greener, more inclusive and resilient future. The experience of the pandemic has shown, for example, that where high quality Internet connectivity is coupled with flexible working arrangements, many jobs that were traditionally considered to be urban can be performed in rural areas too.” The rise of new digital technologies provides an opportunity to bridge the rural–urban divide, by providing rural populations with access to digital finance, precision tools for better crop yields as well as jobs that can be done remotely.
The World Social Report is a flagship publication of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). It offers new strategies to ensure that the rural population — nearly half of the world’s people — is not left behind as the world escalates efforts to boost the economy, reduce inequalities and tackle the climate crisis. It calls for improving the lives of people where they are, and to improve rural standards of living. Rural development must strengthen social services such as promoting education to develop local talent and digital skills. Policies should be designed to ensure that benefits accrue to communities and those most in need.
In situ Urbanisation: The Rural Transformation Model
The report has called for in situ urbanisation – as a rural transformation model – that requires not only improving farm productivity as a precedent for further growth, but also expanding the linkages between the farm and non-farm sectors, and encouraging entrepreneurship. In situ urbanisation is actually a model of rural development in which improvements in the standard of living in existing rural communities take place without migration or conversion into urban areas. This “place-based” model has proved particularly effective in fostering long-term economic growth and spatial equity between rural and urban areas. China, Japan and Sri Lanka all provide examples of in situ modernisation of rural areas.
Diversification is key to a rural transformation. Expanding non-farm activities, which are the potential source of income for young people, should be part of the new strategies. The new approach must ensure that the rural population is able to enjoy the same standard of living as the urban population by extending urban benefits to rural areas, without the negative side effects of unsustainable urbanisation. In Sri Lanka, Japan and China, the report found examples where improved access to education and health care, increased investment in rural infrastructure and reduced income disparity between rural and urban areas have led to better living conditions of rural populations. Hence, rural inequality and rural–urban disparity have to be addressed without undermining the incentives for growth; and heeding the political voice and concerns of rural populations must be part of the process that aims to improve their lives.
While rural poverty fell between 2000s and 2015 in China, India and Indonesia, rural inequality increased. There is the need to drive social progress in rural areas, and addressing inequalities must go hand in hand with efforts to reduce poverty levels. This includes new land reform policies, expanded social protection as well as the abrogation of discriminatory laws that effectively tackle the inequalities that rural women, indigenous people and other vulnerable populations experience. Without the improvement of the well-being of rural populations, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be achieved.
Land Degradation and the Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases
The change of natural habitats to agricultural land has led to 60 per cent to 70 per cent of total biodiversity loss and the loss of forests and wilderness is credited with the rise of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that approximately 31 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) is directly related to agriculture and land-use changes. Policies would need to be put in place to build resilience and reduce the vulnerability of rural livelihoods to climate change.
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The report recommends taking steps to develop crop varieties that are less land-intensive, practicing mixed farming and switching to the circular economy.
If the current patterns of rural development continue, according to the report, a water deficit of about 30 per cent is expected by 2030 and nearly 95 per cent of the Earth’s land areas could become degraded by 2050. Measures that promote the sustainable use of resources as well as food security must be considered.
Boost the Agri Sector
The report dwells into the importance of enhancing the agricultural sector. Countries that are home to at least 501 million agricultural workers are at risk of not achieving the SDGs target of doubling agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers by 2030. More action is needed to boost agricultural productivity by improving infrastructure, using appropriate technology, providing incentives and increasing investments. According to the report, it is also important to focus on agricultural models that are country specific and are geared towards supporting smallholders.
Rural and agriculture development in the past has been mostly directed towards increased food production. However, with about one-third of produced food wasted globally, and with land and water resources and biodiversity coming under increased strain, it is more important than ever to develop strategies that promote the sustainable use of resources and the efficient distribution of food.
Stability of prices of agricultural products in global markets, sufficient investment in agricultural research, and farmers’ access to technology are the factors that contribute to higher agricultural productivity. The report throws light on the need for inclusive rural financing, which also helps expand the options for households and firms to adopt more advanced technologies, to invest in education and capacity building, and to scale-up their productive activities, thereby improving productivity in both rural farm and non-farm sectors.
