Strong agricultures but weak rural economies — The undue emphasis on agriculture in European rural development

Summary Rapid technical and economic changes in agriculture, together with state policies fostering that industry, are usually considered to be crucial to rural development. Yet in many parts of rural Europe changes in farming systems and the direction given to agricultural policies are making the role of agriculture less vital. In fact, some agricultural changes are actually proving harmful to rural land uses and to the strength and pattern of rural societies. Distinction must be made between rural land of good agricultural quality lying close to cities with good lines of communication as against more isolated rural areas with poorer farm land and difficult topography and climate. Problems arising from agricultural changes and certain Government agricultural policies include agricultural depopulation, surplus rural settlements and houses, lack of local employment, rising costs of maintaining and improving rural infrastructures, decimation of natural fauna and flora and the production of farming landscapes dominated by large machines and factory style buildings. In many regions, the over-emphasis on strictly agricultural policies in rural development means a lack of constructive planning and finance for rural areas which have become largely non-agricultural economies.