CONCEPT PAPER ON RURAL
GROWTH CENTER
FEBRUARY 22, 2022
MINISTRY OF RURAL AND MARITIME DEVELOPMENT AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT
1KNOLLY STREET
CONTENTS
1.0
BACKGROUND............................................................................................................................. 2
1.1.
RATIONALE ............................................................................................................................. 2
1.2.
WHAT IS RURAL DEVELOPMENT?........................................................................................... 2
1.3.
WHAT IS A RURAL GROWTH CENTER? ................................................................................... 4
1.4.
THE INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK ....................................................... 5
2.0
PROPOSAL .................................................................................................................................. 6
3.0
OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................ 7
4.0
EXPECTED OUTPUTS .................................................................................................................. 8
5.0
EXPECTED OUTCOMES ............................................................................................................... 8
6.0
RURAL GROWTH CENTER BENEFITS BY SECTORS .................................................................... 9
6.1.
FISHERIES ............................................................................................................................... 9
6.2.
FORESTRY ............................................................................................................................. 10
6.3.
AGRICULTURE ....................................................................................................................... 10
6.4.
EDUCATION ........................................................................................................................... 10
6.5.
HEALTH ................................................................................................................................. 10
6.6.
ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................................................... 11
6.7.
HOUSING ............................................................................................................................... 11
6.8.
INFRASTRUCTURE ................................................................................................................ 11
6.9.
SOCIAL WELFARE ................................................................................................................. 11
7.
CASE STUDIES .............................................................................................................................. 11
8.
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT ............................................................ 16
9.
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................. 17
1
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1. RATIONALE
i. Approximately three-quarters of the world’s impoverished live in rural areas1.In many developing
countries, there has been an acute population shift from rural to urban areas, and many of those
who have migrated and belong to the low-income group have no choice but to engage in the
informal sector which is insecure, low-wage, with a poor environment.2 This is true for Fiji where
people living in squatter settlements are those moving from villages and rural settings to urban
centers, usually for better education opportunities for their children; again exacerbating poverty
and social issues in urban areas.
ii. The normal practice of government-oriented development approaches in rural areas in the past
focused on large-scale farming development and agricultural transformation; which are now
transitioning to people-centered approaches to rural development with a focus on establishing a
system to facilitate community participation and the effective use of local resources.3 The
Government of Fiji in 2021 had launched a back-to-rural agriculture program; assisting Fijians
whose livelihoods were impacted by Covid-19, and opting to return to the village by providing them
with an initial farming support kit.
iii. Rural Growth Centers are vital ingredient and supporting mechanism of Rural Developments. In
this context, the Rural Growth Center as a pulsating vehicle for Rural Development, fully supports
all the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 Agenda, particularly Goals 1-4;
1. Eliminate Poverty
2. Erase Hunger
3. Establish Good Health and Well-Being
4. Provide Quality Education
iv. The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki – Moon noted in the Millennium Development
Goals Report 2015, that “disparities between rural and urban areas remain pronounced” and big
gaps persist in different sectors.4 The recent Tracking Sustainable Development Goal 7 released
that the number of people without access to electricity in 2019 stands at 759 million, but had
declined from 1.2 billion in 2010.5 For the most part this grave development burden falls on rural
areas, where a lack of access to modern energy services negatively affects productivity,
educational attainment and even health and ultimately exacerbates the poverty trap. In rural
areas, only 56 per cent of births are attended by skilled health personnel, compared with 87 per
cent in urban areas. About 16 per cent of the rural population do not use improved drinking water
sources, compared to 4 per cent of the urban population. About 50 per cent of people living in
rural areas lack improved sanitation facilities, compared to only 18 per cent of people in urban
areas.6
v. Agriculture still plays a vital role in Rural Development, but no longer the central one; as rural
development has slowly evolved to a multi-sectorial, people-centered, whole of government,
whole of society approach.
1.2. WHAT IS RURAL DEVELOPMENT?
i. Rural Growth Centers are one of the many vehicles for Rural Developments; thus, it would be
crucial to define Rural Development and how it links to the Rural Growth Center initiative.
1
World Bank (2001a)
Effectives approaches to rural development, Chapter 4 JICA
3
Effectives approaches to rural development, Chapter 4 JICA
4
Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development, https://sdgs.un.org/topics/ruraldevelopment
5
Tracking SDG 7: The energy progress report.
6
Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development, https://sdgs.un.org/topics/ruraldevelopment
2
2
ii. 44.1 percent of Fiji’s population reside in rural areas, down from 49.3 percent in 2007. Rural
population stood at 390,635, a decline of 21,790 (5.3%) from 2007.7 This is attributed to extension
of town boundaries and also due to movement of people from rural to urban areas.
iii. Rural development is the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of
people living in rural areas, often relatively isolated and sparsely populated.8 It had traditionally
centered on the exploitation of land-intensive natural resources such as agriculture and forestry;
however, changes in global production networks and increased urbanization have changed the
character of rural areas. Increasingly tourism, niche manufacturers, and recreation have replaced
resource extraction and agriculture as dominant economic drivers.9
iv. The need for rural communities to approach development from a wider perspective has created
more focus on a broad range of development goals rather than merely creating incentive for
agricultural or resource-based businesses. Education, entrepreneurship, physical infrastructure,
and social infrastructure all play an important role in developing rural areas.10 Rural development is
also characterized by its emphasis on locally produced economic development strategies. In
contrast to urban regions, which have many similarities, rural areas are highly distinctive from one
another. For this reason, there are a large variety of rural development approaches used globally.11
v. Rural development in developing countries context is quite different to rural development in
developed countries. Policies in developed countries tend to focus on increasing income and
employment, whereas in developing countries rural development often has to meet more basic
needs such as food security and livelihood. Promoting rural development in developing countries is
also a greater challenge because of generally weaker government institutions and private-sector
capacity, lower levels of government finances, poor infrastructure and greater social, cultural and
language diversity in rural areas. 12
vi. The concept of rural development used to be synonymous with agriculture development, but has
undergone significant changes in the last few decades. It is not just about agricultural growth and,
whilst agricultural growth is a very important dimension of rural development, it is not enough on its
own to ensure economic growth in rural areas. Other sectors or dimensions come into play in the
process of rural growth; such as health, education and economic activities outside the agricultural
sector. Rural development is multi-sectoral. It embraces a variety of different economic and social
sectors: 1. Agriculture - crops, livestock,
2. Fisheries (natural resources),
3. Forestry (natural resources).
4. Non-farm sector - services to agriculture (including input supply, marketing, transport,
finance, agricultural processing).
5. Infrastructure – roads (FRA), transport (LTA), Rural Energy, Rural Water.
6. Education
7. Health
8. Mineral Resources Department (MRD)
7
FBOS 2017
Moseley, Malcolm J. (2003). Rural development: principles and practice (1. publ. ed.). London [u.a.]: SAGE. p.
5. ISBN 978-0-7619-4766-0.
9
Ward, Neil; Brown, David L. (1 December 2009). "Placing the Rural in Regional Development". Regional
Studies. 43 (10): 1237–1244. doi:10.1080/00343400903234696.
10
Rowley, Thomas D., ed. (1996). Rural development research: a foundation for policy (1. publ. ed.). Westport,
Conn. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-29726-7.
11
Van Assche, Kristof. & Hornidge, Anna-Katharina. (2015) Rural development. Knowledge & expertise in
governance. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen
12
Promoting rural development through forestry policy: some experiences from developing countries Adrian
Whiteman
8
3
vii. The modern rural development focus is more people-centered, generally meeting the following
three principal objectives:
1. enhance food security and livelihood;
2. alleviate poverty; and
3. encourage the sustainable management of natural resources.
viii. The Sustainable Development Goals cannot be achieved without progress in rural development.
Important changes in rural development strategies are necessary for protection of natural capital,
located mostly in rural areas and subjected to serious depletion due to the current strategies of
rural development.13
1.3. WHAT IS A RURAL GROWTH CENTER?
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
The growth center refers to a set of sectors or industries within a prescribed area, serving central
place functions for the center and its surroundings. The growth center performs as a center of
economic, social and cultural activities in the rural areas. These are the venues where people
exchange ideas with their neighbors regarding improved methods of production and marketing
and also serve as center of recreation.14
The approach of rural growth centers, is based on selectivity on the one hand based on
uniqueness of site, and decentralization of conveniences on the other. It dictates what facilities
should be located at different locations. Therefore, an overall development of villages within a
prescribed area can be ensured in an integrated way at minimum cost, linking all relevant
agencies; government, private sector and non-government. Rural growth centers are the units to
provide spatial connectivity to services for nearby rural areas along with its own population.
These centers also work as a decentralizing unit for the bigger urban centers and help in
diffusing the concentration of the population in the urban centers by providing services in the
15rural areas.
The rural growth centers become small urban settings in rural areas, and becomes a vital
interface between urban and rural, and an effective whole of government rural development
strategy should concentrate on strengthening and maximizing this interface.
In Bangladesh16 the growth center can be assumed to be the center of rural-urban interaction
where marketing intermediaries create the linkage. In this kind of interaction, marketing
intermediaries from rural and urban areas play active role. Figure 1 shows the linkages of
different marketing intermediaries from rural and urban areas creating rural urban interaction in
growth centers.
Figure 1
13
Rethinking Rural Development for achieving SDG’s, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, July 2021
Wong, Shue Tuck, and Alicia A. Tiongson. “Economic Impacts of Growth Center on Surrounding Rural Areas:
A Case Study of Mariveles, Philippines.” Geografiska Annaler. Series B, Human Geography 62, no. 2 (1980):
109–17. https://doi.org/10.2307/490395.
15
Rural growth centres for regional development in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, India Pawan
Kumar Sharma, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh 2021
16
Rural-Urban Linkage through Growth Centers in Bangladesh; Utama Barua Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology, Rabea Akter Ohio University.
14
4
1.4. THE INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
i.
The Integrated Rural Development Framework in Fiji to be formalized and strengthened with a
strong coordination framework, with supporting legislation and regulation. The legislation and
regulation to guide and spearhead its implementation. It needs a lot of initial consultations and
discussions at the national and sub-national level in creating awareness on its significance and
colossal impact in achieving sustainable development.
ii. Integrated Rural Development, as a concept for sustainable planning re-emphasizes the need for a
comprehensive multi-sectorial, whole of government, whole of society approach to rural
development. It de-centralizes planning from the national to sub-national levels. It empowers
leadership and progress at sub-national levels, ensuring an inclusive approach, warranting that no
one is left behind, guaranteeing the voices of minority groups are not neglected.
iii. The main focus of the Integrated Rural Development Framework is strengthening and empowering
leadership at the Divisional level; a system of partial decentralization.
1. In April 1996, the United Nations General Assembly, at its resumed 50th session, adopted
resolution 50/225 on Public Administration and Development. In paragraph 9, the resolution
encouraged, where appropriate, decentralization of public institutions and services.17
2. The Philippines, Indonesia, and Pakistan are examples of decentralized states with essentially
uniform terms and conditions of service for government employees in different regions.18
3. Decentralization can play important roles in broadening participation in political, economic and
social activities in developing countries. It helps alleviate the bottlenecks in decision making that
are often caused by central government planning and control of important economic and social
activities. Decentralization can help cut complex bureaucratic procedures and it can increase
government officials' sensitivity to local conditions and needs. Moreover, decentralization can
help national government ministries reach larger numbers of local areas with services; allow
greater political representation for diverse political, ethnic, religious, and cultural groups in
decision-making; and relieve top managers in central ministries of "routine" tasks to concentrate
on policy. In some countries, decentralization may create a geographical focus at the local level
for coordinating national, state, provincial, district, and local programs more effectively and can
provide better opportunities for participation by local residents in decision making.
Decentralization may lead to more creative, innovative and responsive programs by allowing
17
Decentralization: Conditions for Success Lessons from Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth
of Independent States, Department of Economic and Social Affairs Division for Public Economics and Public
Administration 2000
18
Decentralization & Subnational Regional Economics, The World Bank Group 2001
5
local "experimentation." It can also increase political stability and national unity by allowing
citizens to better control public programs at the local level.19
4. What is being suggested is the weakest form of decentralization; Deconcentration Administrative
Decentralization, and listed on the table below some opportunities and risks,
a. Table 1: Opportunities and Risks
OPPORTUNITIES
RISKS
Diseconomies of scale
More capacities for place-based policies
Duplication/ overlap in competencies
Better local public service delivery
Lack of human/technical capacities
Lower costs
Unfunded mandates
Mobilisation of local public resources
Increased Competition
Incentives for pro-active local development
approaches
Local politics and bad local governance
Mobilisation of comparative
advantages of local enterprises
Corruption
Room for experimentation
More complex governance structure –
Enhanced transparency and accountability
more coordination costs
Enhanced communities’ participation
Reflect better communities needs
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
The IRDF provides a mechanism where risks are considered in every development activity,
supporting the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction initiatives
across all sectors at sub-national levels. There have been a lot of hype about risk informed
developments at the global and regional arenas, but without risk being considered at sub-national
levels, then it merely becomes propaganda.
The critical conclusion to be drawn is that rural development cannot be confined to a sectoral box,
but has to adopt a holistic view of the local economy and its changing mix of livelihood
20opportunities.
The Integrated Rural Development Framework ensures a clear bottom-up and top-down
demarcation of roles at the sub-national level, minimizing avenues for lapses in alertness on
processes. It ensures a clear mechanism exists for better supervision and control of risk-informed
decisions at all levels.
It creates healthy competition among divisions, warranting they develop strategies and clear
pathways for improvement in their processes and identifying ways to improve.
2.0 PROPOSAL
2.1. The Rural Growth Center set-up will be similar to the Government Roadshows programs
usually initiated by the Ministry; but will be more of a permanent structure, requiring external
funding, and more detailed multi-sectorial whole of government planning processes. It also needs
a prolonged time-frame of ten to fifteen years. The discussion is suggested to come under the
ambit of the Integrated Rural Development Framework mechanism. The different sectors to
highlight current status of development in the area and needs, in close collaboration with the
communities. The Sectors will have different levels of developments and establishment at these
rural areas
2.2. The Growth Centers to be equipped with infrastructures unique to its geography according to
the needs emanating from the locality and the capacity of the community. Unlike urban centers,
rural centers have exclusive settings, and a one-size-fits-all phenomena will not be applicable.
2.3. The identification and selection for the establishment of a Growth Center to be prioritized from
the location’s economic turnover, number of surrounding communities and its accessibility. Rural
19
20
Decentralization & Subnational Regional Economics, The World Bank 2001
Toufique and Turton (2002:22):
6
communities are beset with many problems mainly associated with infrastructure. The rural growth
centers will provide better infrastructure facilities with its conveniences, ensuring the area are likely
to play a wider role in the rural economy well-being and development. The identification process to
be a whole of government, whole of society consultation process ensuring no one is left out;
considering the vulnerable and minority groups. The consultation process to be conducted through
the integrated rural development framework, not only taking into considerations the sectors
perspectives, but also the local existing mechanisms and infrastructures and most importantly the
communities. Community participation has been recognized as an essential asset in the promotion
of the empowerment and resilience of local communities taking into consideration the active
agencies, including civil service societies implementing multi-sectoral activities on the locality, such
as activities in agriculture, forestry, tourism and fisheries as well as in non-agricultural income
generation, education, health care and hygiene or infrastructure improvement.
2.4. The consultation and planning processes to consider Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster
Risk Reduction and Pandemics.
2.5. The assumption is that the Integrated Rural Development Framework consultation processes
has considered the needs of women, older persons and people living with disabilities and other
vulnerable/minority groups.
2.6. Setting-up of a Monitoring and Evaluation component to track and document the planning,
setting-up and implementation of the project. The unfavorable effects of the project to be
identified, and to discuss ways of mitigation. The whole M&E primary focus is on improvement.
2.7. Infrastructure provision
2.7.1. Rural market upgrade
2.7.2. Internal drainage system
2.7.3. Footpaths and walkways
2.7.4. Restrooms- toilets and bathrooms
2.7.5. Rubbish disposal facility
3.0 OBJECTIVES
3.1. Economic and Social Benefits.
3.1.1. Economic benefits
3.1.1.1. Rural Markets
3.1.1.2. Increased economic activities
3.1.1.3. Market availability
3.1.1.4. Sectors networking
3.1.1.5. Efficient marketing system
3.1.1.5.1. Supporting infrastructure.
3.1.1.5.2. Availability of key players
3.1.2. Social benefits
3.1.2.1. Socialization
3.1.2.2. Networking-formation of committees on areas of interest
3.1.2.3. Social services
3.1.2.3.1. Birth registration
3.1.2.3.2. Marriages
3.1.2.3.3. Social beneficiaries
3.1.2.4. Recreation-sporting activities
3.2. Promoting “Solesolevaki”, a system where communities work together.
3.2.1. Provides the enabling mechanism for community involvement and
participation, empowering the people to access and work in developing their own communities,
rather than resorting to towns that are congested.
7
3.2.2.
Community empowerment; which also provides the platform for participation
and strengthening of minority groups.
3.3. The global trend now for most organizations tracks towards the first two Sustainable
Goals targets on Eliminating Poverty and Erasing Hunger by 2030; therefore, most development
partners will be focusing their resources on these two entities. For example, the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) is shifting its development assistance focus to fighting poverty and the World Bank is
developing a new strategy for rural development in addition to the Poverty Reduction Strategy
Papers (PRSP).21
3.4. Creating balance in rural and urban settings. The emphasis is to replicate the benefits
and conveniences available at urban centers to the rural growth centers.
4.0 EXPECTED OUTPUTS
4.1. Increased economic activity
4.2. Improved infrastructure
4.3. Employment generation
4.4. Improved marketing capacity
4.4.1. Provides marketing system and facilities which is a serious bottleneck in promoting
rural market growth. Rural markets through the Rural Growth Center provide an
efficient outlet for the producers of small farmers with a view to stimulate production
and increasing the cash income of rural people, either by enabling them to sell their
produces or obtaining their needed commodities as buyers through the creation of
efficient market system.
4.4.2. Rural market not only for agricultural but also for fisheries, forestry products and other
sectors. It has been seen that provision of infrastructure in rural markets actually
paves the way for employment generation and contributes to increasing number of
traders and market turnover.22
4.5. Provision and development of various service facilities;
4.5.1. agricultural and fisheries inputs,
4.5.2. credit and financial institutions,
4.5.3. repair and retail shops,
4.5.4. education and health facilities,
4.5.5. recreation,
4.5.6. transportation linkages for tourist
4.6. Centre of economic, social and cultural activities in the rural areas. where people exchange
their ideas with their neighbors regarding improved methods of production and marketing and
also serve as center of recreation23.
4.7. Support of SME’s
4.8. Diet enhancement
5.0 EXPECTED OUTCOMES
5.1. Curbs Urban drift
5.1.1. Many poor people in cities are from villages and settlements who have left rural areas
for education opportunities for their children. Therefore, if living standards and income
21
Effective Approaches for Rural Development Chapter 4
Role of Growth Center: A Rural Development Perspective, Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners ISSN
2075-9363 Vol. 3, December 2010, pp. 129angladesh Institute of Planners
23
Role of Growth Center: A Rural Development Perspective, Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners ISSN
2075-9363 Vol. 3, December 2010, pp. 129.
22
8
5.2.
5.3.
5.4.
5.5.
5.6.
5.7.
5.8.
5.9.
6.0
generations in rural areas are enhanced and rural dwellers to return to rural areas,
excessive population influxes to cities should be reduced, causing poverty in the cities to
decrease. Improvement of rural areas can be a safety net when there is a lack of job
opportunities in cities due to depressed economic conditions.
Increased economy, increasing number of traders and market turnover.
Provides the input facility that are fundamental for the production of commodities for all
sectors.
Employment generation.
Education and Awareness of different sectors.
Minimizing the disparity between rural and urban areas.
Inclusive; including gender, vulnerable communities (older persons, people with disabilities
and other minority groups.)
Creation of enabling environment such that residents of the areas could explore the
environment for satisfaction of their basic needs of life, improve their economies and
quality of life24
Health and education enhancement
RURAL GROWTH CENTER BENEFITS BY SECTORS
6.1. FISHERIES
6.1.1. Fisheries Growth Centers can have various functions, such as: 6.1.1.1. ice making,
6.1.1.2. collection point for fish transport to markets,
6.1.1.3. mechanical repair, spare parts
6.1.1.4. and a base for fisheries extension activities.
6.1.2. In addition to promoting commercial fisheries development in rural areas, the wider objectives
of fisheries centers have included improving cash incomes.
6.1.3. This is true for coastal communities, but can be replicated in remote interior communities they
can resort to fresh water aquaculture farming. Aquaculture ponds can be integrated into water
conservation and management systems and rainfed aquaculture can be an effective storage
mechanism in areas that experience water shortages. This means that farmers will require
education, technical assistance and effective extension of improved methods of aquaculture that
utilize scare water resources effectively. In some climates, flow-through systems can become more
efficient through the re-use of heat energy, balancing the cost of water. Crucial positive trends are
the integration of pond systems (with other agriculture and water-using processes), reuse of water,
and recirculation. For example, a recirculation system can achieve 150L water per kg of fish, or
40L per kg with a de-nitrification unit, although such systems may have limited transferability to the
majority of aqua farmers. 25
6.1.4. There are currently five rural fisheries service centers in Fiji. (Wainikoro, Levuka, Kavala,
Vanuabalavu, Lekeba). A major component of the Department of Fisheries’ strategy for rural
fisheries development in the next decade is the use of rural fisheries service centers.26
6.1.5. A report by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community states: “The commercial success of rural
fisheries centers, with either private sector or fishermen’s associations/cooperatives management,
24
Riahi V, Azizi S, Zare NS. Assessing the concept of rural development with emphasis on the perspective of
villagers (Case study: Damavand County). Journal of Community Development. 2021;13(1):119-145. DOI:
10.22039/JRD.2021.323066.668648
25
Aquaculture Systems and Species Simon Funge-Smith and Michael J. Phillips.
26
ADB 2005; and Department of Fisheries 2009.
9
is viewed as fundamental to having small-scale commercial fisheries play a positive role in the
rural economy.”27
6.2. FORESTRY
6.2.1. One of the main focuses of the Growth Center for Forestry will be the Education and
Awareness of remote communities on illegal logging activities and the importance of maintaining
their forests on sustainable logging practices. Loggers are targeting these rural remote
communities and offering them cash they have never seen the amount before, failing to
understand that if the process go through the legal normal logging process, they stand to gain
much, much more, and can be maintained for years to come. Whereas compared to the illegal
logging; it will last for at most five years, leaving their land devastated; and forests which took
decades to grow will be gone in a few short years for very meagre returns.
6.2.2. Agroforestry is the intentional integration of trees or shrubs with crop and animal production.
The result will be a more diverse agricultural operation, boosted profits, and conservation gains.
Agroforestry requires putting the right tree in the right place for the right reason. It mixes
agriculture and forestry practices to create profitable and sustainable farms, ranches, and
woodlands; with these benefits: 6.2.2.1. Protected topsoil, livestock, and wildlife habitat.
6.2.2.2. Increased crop yields and profits.
6.2.2.3. Reduced energy and chemical inputs.
6.2.2.4. Improved water quality and increased water-use efficiency. 28
6.3. AGRICULTURE
6.3.1. The primary focus of Rural Growth Centers in had been only on Agricultural products, but the
modern focus is more holistic looking at all sectors. This is also beneficial for Agriculture as it
also stands to gain from the infrastructure and availability of key resources. The presence of
the other sectors in the locality also boosts agriculture marketing and sales.
6.3.2. It is essential that the agricultural products reach the buyers through an efficient marketing
system. It is necessary that the surplus agricultural products are brought to the markets for
buyers and at the same time, inputs of agriculture, like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and other
necessities are made available on time for delivery.29
6.4. EDUCATION
6.4.1.
6.4.2.
6.4.3.
Illiteracy is a strong correlate of poverty and hunger and is mainly a rural phenomenon which
hinders rural development and food security; threatens productivity and health, limits
opportunities to improve livelihoods and to promote gender equity, since illiteracy is
particularly high among rural girls and women. 30
Without education, a nation cannot prosper. It is the major dimension of rural development.
So, sufficient educational arrangement is needed in inaccessible rural areas.
Large portion of our illiterate population are confined to our rural areas. The presence of the
education office in these remote locations will assist solve illiteracy in rural communities.
6.5. HEALTH
6.5.1. Minimum public health facility with family planning and nutrition for children
27
SPC Report 2004 Training Section. Fisheries Newsletter #110 (JulySeptember 2004), Secretariat of the Pacific
Community, Noumea.
28
Agriculture and Forestry: 5 Ways Agroforestry Can Work for You and Your Land By Jocelyn Benjamin, USDA·
Apr 25, 2019
29
Role of Growth Center: A Rural Development Perspective, Journal of Bangladesh Institute of Planners ISSN
2075-9363 Vol. 3, December 2010, pp. 129Planners
30
Education for Rural People: The partnership, Food and Agriculture Organization.
10
6.6. ENVIRONMENT
6.6.1.
Similar to Forestry, the Environment Team will also benefit on Rural Growth Centers
through Education and Awareness on: 6.6.1.1. Waste disposal
6.6.1.2. Conservation.
6.6.1.3. Livelihoods and economic development.
6.6.1.4. Tourism
6.7. HOUSING
6.7.1.
6.7.2.
6.7.3.
6.7.4.
Rural Carpenter training
National Building codes and minimum building standards awareness and implementation.
Assessment of evacuation centers
Retrofitting
6.8. INFRASTRUCTURE
6.8.1. Rural roads
6.8.2. Rural Energy
6.8.3. Rural Water and Sanitation
6.9. SOCIAL WELFARE
6.9.1. Welfare recipients
6.9.2. Access to the elderly and children.
6.9.3. Education and Awareness
7. CASE STUDIES
7.1. ASHRAF ALI CHOWDHURY MARKET, BANGLADESH31
7.1.1. Ashraf Ali Chowdhury hat is situated at Kadalpur Union Parisad in the Raozan
Upazila. Raozan Upazila, is an Upazila under Chittagong district in the Division of
Chittagong, Bangladesh. In Raozan Upazila there are 20 growth centers (hat-bazaar)
and Ashraf Ali Chowdhury hat is one of them. Local government as well as public
ownership of land is the prime characteristics. Both primary and temporary shades
are seen in this market. If we consider the geographical extent of Ashraf Ali
Chowdhury market, it is found that in the north there exists Kadalpur village, in the
south, Chittagong-Kaptai main road and Raozan-Pahartali road intersection, in the
east Forest area of Rangunia Upazila and in the west Amirpara is situated. Total area
of the market covers approximately 45412.17sq ft with a catchment area of 407.85
acres. The market seats every Monday and Thursday.Various services and facilities
such as lamped road, Pucca drainage, water supply via tube well, sanitation and
electricity facility exist in the market. But waste disposal system is not up to the
mark. Every hat day 1500-2000 visitors come to the market and the market
generates a huge transaction amount which is approximately 1.8 million taka per hat
day. There prevails a moderate climate in the market and Low-lying plain land with
grey brownish sandy loam is the main topographical characteristics. It is basically a
livestock market and a place which has experienced many spatial and infrastructural
changes over time. These changes have been made due to the needs of the local
people. The trading of different household items, grocery, vegetable and livestock
has made this rural market a place of appreciation in respect of shopping.
7.1.2. EXISTING CONDITION ANALYSIS.
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Rural Growth Centre Analysis: A Study on Ashraf Ali Chowdhury Market K. M. Ashraful Islam, Muhammad
Rakibul Hasan Kauser , Muhammad Mizanur Rahman, Aniruddha Sarkar , Khatun-E-Zannat
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7.2.
7.1.2.1. Kadalpur Asraf Ali Chowdhury market is one of the main centers of
economic, social and cultural activities of the rural area under Kadalpur
union as well as Raozan Upzila under Chittagong district. It is the agora of
this area people. It also serves as a center of the business area for the union.
In this section it will be focused on the present condition of the growth
centre. Data has been collected from the field investigation and Union
Parishad/Upazilla office.
7.1.2.1.1.
Tin Shade Pucca & Katcha Base Market House
 There are two permanent tin shade market houses which base has been
made by concrete and tin shade. Those houses were made by LGED. This
part of the market is used as permanent market for selling vegetable and
other related matter. But it is not enough for buying & selling in hat day.
As a result, the market spreads over the premises and near the road. In
the market there are 7 (seven) tin shade market houses the base of which
have been made by soil and mud. Those houses are used for keeping and
selling cows & buffalos. Those houses were made by the market
committee. They are enough in number but there is maintenance
problem of the waste which is made by livestock.
7.1.2.1.2. Tea stall, Restaurant and Retail Shop
 Every growth center (hat/bazaar) has some tea stall & restaurant which
give the local people not only an eating place but also a social gathering
place. Growth center like Asraf Ali Chowdhury market has also some tea
stall & restaurant. There are three tea stall & restaurant in the market
which has not hygienic place for eating. In the market there is also some
retail shop which has been used for verity shopping purpose.
7.1.2.1.3. Utilities Services
 Utilities services have great importance in any types of growth center. But
the utility services of the Asraf Ali Chowdhury market as a growth center
is not sufficient. The overall utility services offered by the market and
their present condition have been given here:
 Water Supply: In the growth center there are 2 (two) tube-wells. But
two tube-wells are not enough for serving the visitors of the market.
Above all the condition of the tube-well is not satisfactory.
 Electricity & Lamppost Facility: There is electricity in the market. So, it
has good impact in the growth center. The sellers use electricity as it
gets darker in the evening. But there is limited lamppost in the
market. Moreover, during summer season, load-shedding becomes a
nuisance for the stakeholders.
 Road Network: Existing transportation system of the Asraf Ali
Chowdhury hat is found to be not so good as for need. The main
access road of the hat is narrow and full of traffic congestion. There is
not enough space for safe walking distance of the pedestrians. When
any two vehicles cross each other, traffic congestion is occurred and
then no walking space for pedestrian remains. This congestion
produces secondary type of congestion into the market while loading
and unloading goods. In this market there is no place for parking.
7.1.2.2.
RAMMOHAN BAZAR AT BARURA UPAZILA IN CUMILLA DISTRICT, BANGLADESH
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7.3. JENDA RURAL GROWTH CENTER, MBELWA DISTRICT, MALAWI, CENTRAL AFRICA
7.3.1. The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in Malawi announced on 30 October
2018 that it has completed construction of three rural growth centers in Jenda, Nthalire and
Nieno, which started the first phase in 2005 and are now completed and operational. The
Ministry has confirmed that in the second phase, six other rural growth centers are currently
under construction.
7.3.2.
The Growth Center was opened in December, 2015. Official from the Mbelwa District Council
says they are set to collect a record K500 million revenue per year after Jenda Rural Growth
Center comes into operational.
7.3.3. The Growth Center was funded through the African Development Bank. The K500 million
revenue would enable the council provide more social services to the people.
7.4. CHINA’S ANHUI PROVINCE32
7.4.1.
7.4.2. THE CHALLENGE
7.4.2.1. While China’s rapid economic growth lifted more than 850 million of people out of
poverty since 1978, it was associated with rising urban-rural inequalities in incomes,
32
Integrating Rural Economic Development with Cultural Heritage Conservation in China; The World Bank 2021
13
opportunities, and quality of life. In 2010, the average per capita disposable income among
rural residents was less than one-third that of urban residents.
7.4.2.2. Anhui is a landlocked province located in the east of China. Its economy was lagging
behind many other provinces in the eastern region because of a higher concentration of
low-productivity agriculture and a lagging service sector. In 2010, Anhui’s per capita gross
domestic product (GDP) was less than 40 percent that of neighboring Zhejiang and Jiangsu
Provinces, and its average per capita rural income was considerably lower than the national
average.
7.4.2.3. Huangshan, a city named after its magnificent Yellow Mountains and a popular tourist
destination, faced challenges in the rural areas including insufficient investment in basic
infrastructure, shortage of funding to preserve cultural heritage assets, low agricultural
productivity, limited employment opportunities, underdeveloped tourism facilities, and lack
of capacity and skills to improve quality of services and create economic.
7.4.2.4. APPROACH
7.4.2.4.1.
Multisectoral approach and the emphasis on skills training, economic
development, and preservation of local culture set the project apart from the majority
of rural development projects in China at that time, which focused exclusively on
infrastructure.
7.4.2.4.2.
Investment in rural infrastructure and public services to reduce inequalities in
the quality of life between rural and urban areas
7.4.2.4.3.
Conservation and development of tourism assets, including tangible and
intangible cultural heritage and tourism facilities, and skills development for rural
residents to improve quality of tourism services, attract more tourists, and create jobs
and income-generating opportunities.
7.4.2.4.4.
Improvement of irrigation, drainage and flood control, development of green
and higher value-added agricultural production bases and market facilities, and
training for farmers to increase agricultural productivity and integrate into the modern
agricultural value chain.
7.4.2.4.5.
Institutional capacity building for local government staff to improve planning
and management of infrastructure assets and cultural heritage conservation, tourism
and agriculture industries.
7.4.3. RESULTS
7.4.3.1. The project was implemented in 68 villages from 2013 to 2020 and contributed to the
achievement of the following key results:
7.4.3.1.1.
Access to all-season roads for more than 136,000 people within 500 meters
from their homes.
7.4.3.1.2.
Access to improved water sources for more than 35,000 people, with
coverage of tap water supply increasing by 16 percent.
7.4.3.1.3.
Access to improved sanitation for more than 24,000 people, with coverage of
centralized wastewater treatment increasing from 11 percent to 46 percent.
7.4.3.1.4.
Enhanced flood protection for project villages due to the construction of
drainage systems, river revetment, and dredging of river and ponds.
7.4.3.1.5.
Improved quality of services for tourism through restoration of over 58,000
square meters of historic buildings and construction of about 300 tourism facilities, such
as parking lots, public toilets, and tourist reception centers.
7.4.3.1.6.
The project also helped villages develop tourism plans, organize traditional
art festivals, strengthen tourism associations, and train villagers in tourism service
management. As a result, the number of tourists visiting project villages increased by 78
percent and exceeded 3.7 million annually by 2019.
7.4.3.1.7.
Improved quality of services for agricultural industries through construction of
access roads and irrigation channels, rehabilitation of small dams and construction of 11
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agriculture markets, 29 agricultural production bases for indigenous products, one
processing factory, three fresh-keeping warehouses, and two exhibition centers. The
project also supported the operation of 19 agriculture associations and training of more
than 4,800 farmers in new agricultural technologies.
7.4.3.1.8.
Increased income-generating opportunities:
 The project created 4,565 local jobs.
 More than half of the 2,400 people receiving tourism training were women, and
some of them started their own farmhouse businesses using the knowledge and
skills gained from the training.
 The per capita net income of the project villages increased by 12.4 percent
annually from 2013 to 2019.
7.4.4. BANK GROUP CONTRIBUTION
7.4.4.1. The project was financed with a loan of US$100 million from the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and drew from the experience and lessons
learned in similar projects in rural development in China and globally.
7.4.5. MOVING FORWARD
7.4.5.1. The multisectoral approach introduced by the project that combined infrastructure
improvement, development of tourism assets including cultural heritage, and
promotion of modern agriculture industries and skills building, proved to be effective in
creating economic opportunities and nurturing entrepreneurship while improving
communities’ living conditions, contributing to the social, economic, and environmental
sustainability of the villages. This integrated approach is now endorsed in the Rural
Revitalization Strategy put forward by the Chinese government in 2018 and being
adopted by many local governments’ rural development programs.
7.5.
KEDAH, MALAYSIA RURAL TRANSFORMATION CENTER.
7.5.1. The Malaysian Rural Transformation Centre (RTC), is implemented under the National Blue
Ocean Strategy 4 (NBOS4) by the government of Malaysia, is a site to implement some
integrated initiatives for the rural communities within 100-kilometer radius of the site. There are
eight major initiatives under the RTC implementation programs, which are:
7.5.1.1. training of rural population;
7.5.1.2. setting up of 1Malaysia information kiosks;
7.5.1.3. high-value agriculture initiatives;
7.5.1.4. agro-food products processing;
7.5.1.5. agricultural produce
7.5.1.6. supply chain management;
7.5.1.7. university cooperation; food safety and pharmaceuticals services;
7.5.1.8. and rural population financial facilities.
15
7.5.2. The implementation of these initiatives is led by various ministries with the support and
cooperation from other relevant ministries.
7.6.
In Japan and Korea, the growth center concept has been applied to develop new industrial
cities and to provide a measure of industrialization cities.
7.7.
Rural Growth Centers have been very successful in Asian and African countries.
8. DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT
The Rural Development objectives attempts to paint a birds-eye view of the issues associated with rural areas
through the multi-dimensional aspect of poverty.
The objectives may provide some latitude to assist in the selection of projects; as the process will require careful
attention as it will draw a lot of public interest and equity due to the budget utilized.
The objectives will also draw the attention of international development partners. The Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) are now calling for the elimination of extreme poverty for all people everywhere by 2030.
Development efforts, social mobilization, investment and renewed attention from States will need to focus on
rural areas. The SDG’s 2030 Agenda Target 1 is to reduce poverty. The official wording is “No Poverty”. As a
result of this international trends towards poverty reduction, the number of organizations engaging in rural
development has increased.





1.
Development Objective 1: Improvement of Infrastructure
o Accessibility improvement
o Water and Sanitation
o Energy sources improvement
Development Objective 2: Economic Capabilities
o Sectors Income Improvement
o Sectors Capacity Building
o Infrastructure Development
Development Objective 3: Improvement of Human Capabilities
o Health Improvement
o Education Standards
o Improvement of coordination of vulnerable groups
Development Objective 4: Improvement of Protective Capabilities
o Conservation of Environment
 Reforestation
 Measures against natural disasters
 Waste disposal
Development Objective 4: Improvement of Political Capabilities
o Improvement of Local Administrative Capability
o Strengthening of Local Administrative Capability
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
 Improvement of Infrastructure Development
2.

Improvement of Economic Capabilities
o Average of Annual Income
o Employment Rate
3.

Improvement of Human Capabilities
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MID-TERM OBJECTIVES
 Accessibility improvement
 Water and Sanitation
 Energy sources improvement
 Sectors and Industries Income
Improvement
 Sectors Capacity Building
 Infrastructure Development
 Health Improvement
 Education Standards
 Improvement of coordination of
vulnerable groups
4.

Improvement of Protective Capabilities
5.

Improvement of Political Capabilities





Reforestation
Measures against natural disasters
Waste disposal and management
Improvement of local administrative
capability.
Strengthening of local
administrative capability.
9. CONCLUSION
9.1. The Sustainable Development Goals at the Global level and other regional and national supporting
frameworks are instruments that are out there; but without linkages to rural communities, then these
instruments become superficial without any real affect. These instruments if they link directly to rural
communities. then they will provide the mechanism and context in which our development partners
can use to better guide their assistance.
9.2. The modern Rural Development focus is more people centered which makes the Rural Growth Center
concept an ideal instrument for growth and sustainable development.
9.3. Through the Rural Growth Centers, rural vulnerable communities have direct access to international
donor assistance, identifying gaps, streamlining and improving efficiency.
10. REFERENCES
10.1. Problems and Potentials of Rural Growth Center: A Case Study of Rammohan Bazar at Barura Upazila
in Cumilla District, Bangladesh Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Jahangirnagar University,
Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh. e-mail: mdziaulhaq800@gmail.com.
10.2. World Bank (2001a).
10.3. Effectives approaches to rural development, Chapter 4 JICA
10.4. Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development, https://sdgs.un.org/topics/ruraldevelopment.
10.5. Tracking SDG 7: The energy progress report.
10.6. FBOS 2017
10.7. Moseley, Malcolm J. (2003). Rural development: principles and practice (1. publ. ed.). London [u.a.]:
SAGE. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-7619-4766-0.
10.8. Ward, Neil; Brown, David L. (1 December 2009). "Placing the Rural in Regional Development". Regional
Studies. 43 (10): 1237–1244. doi:10.1080/00343400903234696.
10.9. Rowley, Thomas D., ed. (1996). Rural development research: a foundation for policy (1. publ. ed.).
Westport, Conn. [u.a.]: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-29726-7.
10.10. Van Assche, Kristof. & Hornidge, Anna-Katharina. (2015) Rural development. Knowledge & expertise in
governance. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen.
10.11. Promoting rural development through forestry policy: some experiences from developing countries
Adrian Whiteman.
10.12. Rethinking Rural Development for achieving SDG’s, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
July 2021
10.13. Wong, Shue Tuck, and Alicia A. Tiongson. “Economic Impacts of Growth Center on Surrounding Rural
Areas: A Case Study of Mariveles, Philippines.” Geografiska Annaler. Series B, Human Geography 62,
no. 2 (1980): 109–17. https://doi.org/10.2307/490395.
10.14. Rural growth centres for regional development in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, India Pawan
Kumar Sharma, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh 2021
10.15. Rural-Urban Linkage through Growth Centers in Bangladesh; Utama Barua Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology, Rabea Akter Ohio University.
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