African experiences with rural development : a digest report on the African rural development study

The results of the African experience with rural development are presented as obtained in studies of 12 countries. Four broad types of projects were reviewed: 1) commodity or export crop programs; 2) integrated development programs; 3) functional programs to remove single, critical obstacles to development; and 4) subsectoral programs to stimulate development of wide geographical areas by the delivery of basic services. Despite a diversity of immediate objectives and of methods for achieving them, the projects all have brought about increases in productivity and have raised aggregate income levels within their target areas, although with varying degrees of success and with varying degrees of equity. Rural development programs of this type must be viewed as part of a continuous, dynamic process, and emphasis on mass participation also means that a sequential approach may frequently be necessary in planning and implementing a strategy. Using this approach, suggestions are made for specific areas of improvement in the areas of agricultural services, land use planning, data gathering, phased planning in implementation of public services, manpower training, technical assistance, and administration.