Integrated rural development a case study of monastir governorate Tunisia

Abstract

The Tunisian government has adopted an integrated rural development programme to tackle the problems of the national rural sector. The thesis presents an examination of the viability and success of the programme with specific reference to the Governorate of Monastir. An IRD programme is justified as a strategy equipped to tackle the complex matrix of problems encountered in the rural sector of a developing country. A model for such a programme is defined as being based on five components; economic, social, institutional, infrastructural and spatial. The problems encountered in the Tunisian rural sector are extremely varied and highly complex, including limited physical resources, abundant human resources and a poorly developed economic base. The national government has made various unsuccessful attempts to solve the problems prior to adopting an IRD strategy in 1973.Against a background of limited resources, the Implementation of the IRD programme in Monastir has focused on three aspects; the creation and consolidation of employment, vocational training and the improvement of rural living standards. Progress In these areas has met with mixed success. Close investigation at the village level, however, reveals a generally successful implementation of rural development, particularly evident in the increasing popularity of the village as a place in which to live. One of the major problems with the implementation of the rural development programme has been the allocation of priorities and the failure to discern major objectives. This has been particularly true in the development of agriculture where superficial temporary measures and uneconomic prestige projects have been applied instead of attempts being made to tackle fundamental causes of the problems. Overall, however, the Tunisian rural development programme as studied in Monastir Governorate illustrates the viability and potential success of IRD as a strategy for rural development.