ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on concepts discussed in this book. The book deals with a multitude of rural development (RD) issues. It focuses on some of the major obstacles to rural progress and outlines various ways of overcoming these barriers. The book analyzes local organizations as a vehicle for promoting RD, as well as several specific strategies that have been employed in RD efforts. It examines some of the effects RD efforts have had on equity and balance in the countryside, particularly in terms of employment creation, regional development, women's roles and income/wealth distribution. The book presents strong evidence for and advocated people's participation in the development process. It discusses the importance of decentralization in designing and implementing development projects, and the critical importance of adopting a medium-to-long-term outlook in conceiving and implementing development projects.
