Rural progress : vol. vii, No. 2, 1988

Abstract

Socioeconomic indicators at the macro level may reasonably be regarded as positive change or growth in both the rural and urban sectors, it may not have the impact on certain segments of the population despite a positive trend for the country as a whole. The assessment of this change becomes a matter of critical concern. It becomes necessary to disaggregate the impact of the shift by its rural-urban impact, l gender, occupation, income, asset structure, health, education, etc.; in other words, its impact on the quality of life of different segments of the population, particularly that of the disadvantaged. The classification of a program or project as "rural development" will necessarily have to take into account the points made in the paragraph above. An additional and equally important element in the assessment will be the criterion of sustainability of the effort. This would require the creation of an enabling climate that would include structural adjustment measures of far-reaching consequences. The key element of sustainability of any rural development effort lies with the people. There is a time to sow and a time to harvest. It is time for Africa to sow and sweat it out collectively to reap the rich harvest in time. The sowing has to start in the rural sector first, so that all citizens may reap the harvest when it is due.