Redefining Rural Development

The World Bank's sobering forecast that extreme poverty will persist in double digits in sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, with more than 80 per cent of it concentrated in rural areas, poses a critical question that continues to haunt us: Why are we failing to eradicate poverty when we know the problem all too well?

My recent visits to several European "rural" villages have made me realise that our conceptualization of rural development in Africa is deeply flawed. If we collectively shift our mindset regarding what rural development means and what it should entail, we could align our efforts more effectively with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and truly combat poverty.

First and foremost, we must acknowledge that rural development is not a static concept but a dynamic and evolving field. Priorities and approaches must adapt to each rural area's unique needs and circumstances, varying not only between regions but also across countries. Successful rural development strategies demand a complex approach, blending economic, social, and environmental interventions.

One critical issue that hampers our progress is our overemphasis on poverty reduction and income increase as central goals. Paradoxically, this approach can exacerbate the very issues we aim to alleviate. We inadvertently limit economic diversification and technological innovation opportunities by disproportionately focusing on traditional agriculture, mainly subsistence and smallholder agriculture.

I would like to point out this with the approach in Belgium and other developed rural regions where rural development prioritizes economic diversification, technological advancement, and enhancing rural industries' competitiveness. Here, the focus often shifts towards high-value agriculture, agribusiness, and value-added processing, which leads to increased prosperity and resilience.

Another significant barrier to rural development in Africa is our inadequate land tenure system. Attempts at implementing land reforms to secure land rights for marginalized communities and resolve land-related conflicts are often mired in difficulties. This starkly contrasts many parts of the world where rural development primarily centres on effective land use planning and conservation.

Moreover, our continent needs to catch up in technology adoption, primarily due to the lack of concerted capacity-building efforts. In advanced economies, rural areas often benefit from applied sciences colleges that rapidly integrate technologies such as precision agriculture and digital solutions into rural development, significantly boosting productivity and efficiency. It is high time we prioritize technology diffusion and education in rural areas.

Environmental sustainability, social development, and rural infrastructure development also warrant profound discussions. Africa possesses the potential to generate substantial resources from carbon credits, which could be channelled into building the much-needed rural infrastructure. Success in environmental financing could catalyze progress in social development as well. Poverty reduction is not merely about setting goals but about crafting a sustainable strategy to enhance the income and livelihoods of our people.

Another imperative is a radical shift in our land tenure system. The continuous sub-division of land diminishes productivity and amplifies poverty. As such, Africa must embrace rural urbanization and enact stringent land use legislation. Without these measures, we remain vulnerable to the ravages of climate change.

In conclusion, Africa's battle against rural poverty demands a paradigm shift. We must pivot from an exclusive focus on income increase and traditional agriculture to a multi-layered approach that integrates economic diversification, technological innovation, and land reform. Embracing technology, strengthening land tenure systems, and aligning environmental sustainability with rural development are essential steps forward. Moreover, we must champion rural urbanization and enact land use legislation to safeguard our future against the perils of climate change. By embracing these changes, we can pave the way to a more prosperous and sustainable rural Africa, ultimately realizing the dream of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030.