The World Bank and the Peasant Problem

摘要: Rural development is an activity undertaken by governments and international agencies, public private. It takes a number of forms, many which are combined with one another: credit programmes, irrigation schemes, farm settlements, extension services, marketing cooperatives, the provision chemical fertilisers, herbicides pesticides, high-yielding varieties seeds. Their purpose appears to be self-evident, namely, increase in agricultural production improvement living standards. However, at least Africa, as several essays this volume demonstrate, historical record shows that rural has often failed achieve either these ends, let alone both them. By any criteria, successful projects have been exception rather than rule. There impressive examples expansion during colonial period some countries since then others. This achieved producers reorganising take advantage new or expanded markets for food other crops. required cheap transport sea, rail road; it owed little nothing direct involvement agencies marketing. With significant exceptions, such tended hinder assist (Hill, 1963; Berry, 1975; Hopkins, 1973; Williams, volume).