Rural Development Field
The world’s population rapidly increased in the latter half of the 20th century, and it exceeds six billion today. According to one forecast, it will reach nine billion by 2050. A major concern is that various problems, such as food shortages and environmental deterioration due to heavy consumption of resources on a global scale, will become more serious.
Since the population increase is especially notable in developing countries, appropriate development in these countries is essential in order to stabilize people’s living situations worldwide.
Most people in developing countries live in rural areas, and their living situations are deteriorating due to problems such as over cultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, subsequent depletion of water resources, a drop in agricultural productivity caused by many reasons including such as soil erosion, and insufficient social services such as health and basic education. Additionally, the disparities in the living standards between the urban area and the rural area generate new problems such as a population influx into the urban area and slum formation.
To bring about better living situations, it is necessary to promote comprehensive agricultural and rural development focusing on the lives of residents in rural areas. This should be associated with proper attention to harmony with the environment and the relationship with the urban areas so that limited resources in rural areas can be continuously utilized. It is also necessary to tackle certain issues region wide, involving all neighboring countries concerned. These issues include avian flu, which causes economic and health damage not only for farmers in the affected area, but also to other people within the country as well as in surrounding countries.
Actively addressing these issues is in line with coordinated actions to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs clearly specify strengthening support for the poverty groups from the perspectives of human security and more stable development of the international community.
Agricultural and rural development also gains attention as a priority field in post-conflict rural reconstruction. Specifically, there are activities such as stable food supply, and the promotion of settlement of refugees and ex-combatants. To respond to the recent focus on poverty reduction, peace building, and human security, the roles expected of agricultural and rural development are getting larger.
To address these issues, we have identified three sectors (poverty reduction, agricultural and rural development, and fisheries), and is implementing relevant projects for each sector.