Strategies for improving rural welfare. Proceedings of a workshop held at the Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi - May 31st - June 3rd, 1971

Abstract

The workshop defined improvement in rural welfare as the ability of the individual and the community to increase their span of control over factors which affect them. The approach needed involves: (1) assessment of formal and informal local leadership, and its role in improving rural welfare; (2) reorientation of the planning process to allow greater local participation; (3) restructuring of organizations (community development, health, agriculture); (4) more equitable distribution of extension services; (5) full co-operation of all disciplines and organizations. Some of the many fields requiring policy measures included (a) family planning; (b) decentralization of development activity; (c) land taxation; (d) sale of land by small farmers; (e) redressing of balance of supply of services; (f) closer rural-urban political and sociological links; (g) reappraisal of education and training of rural farmers; (h) development of technology and expertise of locally based planning; (i) rural employment; (j) health and social services; (k) nutrition; (l) rural industrial projects; (m) agricultural technologies for small farmers; (n) role of expatriates.