Bookmark and Share

Rural Development and Food Security

A private farmer sells his produce at the Namangan market in northeast Uzbekistan. © Zvi Lerman

Land Reform, Transition, and Rural Development

Land and farm reforms have helped to raise rural household incomes. Limitations on these reforms have tended to limit these positive developments.

Topics: Poverty, Rural development, Food security, Kyrgyzstan , Russian Federation , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Uzbekistan , Rural Development and Food Security, Poverty Reduction , Kazakhstan, Privatization, Agriculture, Property rights, Land reform, Rural poverty

Among the Central and Eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007, Romania has the smallest farms. © Panos Pictures

Land Reform and Land Use in Romania

Private individual farming in Romania has developed differently by region, reflecting differing historical legacies, economic opportunities, and social conditions.

Topics: Rural development, Food security, Romania , Rural Development and Food Security, Poverty Reduction , Agriculture, Property rights, Land reform

The definition of rural public goods used by the WTO and the EU blurs the distinction between the public and private sectors. © European Commission

What's left to plan? Public goods in rural development

The WTO and EU are increasingly defining what role national governments have in supporting agriculture and rural development.

Topics: European Union, Rural development, Food security, Rural Development and Food Security, Poverty Reduction , Policy development, Agriculture, World Trade Organization

Sicco Mansholt, widely considered to be the father of the Common Agricultural Policy, was European Commissioner for Agriculture from 1958 – 1972. © European Commission

A Poor Relation? EU Structural Funds and Rural Development

For much of the past 50 years, rural development has been a neglected policy area for the European Community. Is there now an emerging agenda for reform?

Topics: European Union, Rural development, Food security, Rural Development and Food Security, Governance, Policy development, EU accession, Absorption capacity

Bulgaria’s irrigation infrastructure was built under socialism for large-scale agriculture, but now many small producers have formed water user groups in reaction to this problem. © Ilia Goranov

Civic Initiatives and Rural Development

Civic engagement plays a critical role in rural development. It can make important contributions given there are suitable investments in civil society.

Topics: Rural development, Food security, Albania , Bulgaria , Rural Development and Food Security, Poverty Reduction , Civil society, Agriculture, Rural poverty, Citizen engagement, Czech Republic, NGOs

Spinning their wheels? Rural enterprises in Croatia are not preparing for the adoption of the EU’s acquis communautaire. © Renaude Hatsedakis

Rural Businesses in Croatia and EU Accession: Lagging or Leading?¹

There is little evidence to support the view that rural enterprises are systematically and consistently disadvantaged compared with urban businesses.

Topics: Rural development, Food security, Croatia , Rural Development and Food Security, Poverty Reduction , EU accession, Information and communication technology

In need of extension services? Harvesting grapes in Georgia's Kakheti region. © OSCE/German Avagyan

Agricultural Extension in Georgia

There is renewed interest in agricultural extension systems; a number of models are in place and demand for extension support is increasing.

Topics: Rural development, Food security, Georgia , Rural Development and Food Security, Poverty Reduction , Agriculture, Rural poverty, Capacity development