In May 2021, the World Social Report 2021 was released by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). This year's theme is "Reconsidering Rural Development".　

It is estimated that four out of five people facing extreme poverty in the world live in rural areas. In urban areas, 5.3% of people live in extreme poverty, while in rural areas, the percentage is as high as 18%. In order to ensure that no one in rural areas is left behind, the report outlines strategies for rural development that takes into account global environmental protection, technological innovation, and country-specific conditions.

According to the report, about 70% of the world's rural population lives in low-income or lower-middle-income countries, and the share of rural population in these countries is 60-67%. The report also presents models for the development of rural areas without the migration of the rural population to urban areas, using Japan as an example.

JIRCAS has been conducting researches for rural development, aiming at environmental conservation and improvement of agricultural productivity and living standards in cooperation with rural people. In one of these studies in Ghana, we explored the feasibility of collective irrigation using small-scale reservoirs by forming and involving local rural men's and women's groups to develop systems and protocols for irrigation, manage irrigation by participants, and improve them through practice. As a result, it was found that collective irrigation in accordance with the rules can be carried out by farmers, yields can be increased, and irrigation for leafy vegetables is effective in increasing women's income and has the potential to contribute to dietary improvements for the local population. However, continuous implementation of these collective irrigation is still a challenge, and it is necessary to contribute to the solution of this problem by promoting research based on deeper local understanding and collaboration.

Currently, high-income and middle-income countries are experiencing a rapid decline in birthrate and aging population. In contrast, population growth is expected to continue for some time in low-income countries, and science, technology, and rural development to sustainably meet food demand is an important global issue. On Wednesday, July 14th, the FAO Liaison Office in Japan, in cooperation with JIRCAS, will hold an online event to commemorate the publication of the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook Report 2021-2030, which summarizes trends in the world's agricultural markets. The authors will give live presentations and discuss strategic policy, science and technology areas needed to maintain global food security. The deadline for registration is 5 PM today. Please register at the link below.

Launching Event of the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2021-2030
■ Date：July 14 (Wed), 2021   15:00～16:30 (JST); 8:00～9:30 (CET)
■ Event Format：Online（ZOOM）
■ Program：https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/event/2021/e20210714
■ Registration：https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/event/2021/entry/oecd_fao_outlook
■ Deadline：July 12 (Mon), 2021  17:00 (JST); 10:00 (CET)

References
UNDESA World Social Report. https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/world-social-report/2021-2.html

Oka N, Koide J, Furihata H. 2020. Feasibility and issues of collective irrigation by farmers using small reservoirs in Northern Ghana:―Evidence from a participatory on-farm trial near Tamale. Irrigation, Drainage and Rural Engineering Journal 311 (88-2): 95-102  
(In Japanese)

Oka N, Koide J, Hirouchi S. 2020. Irrigation for vegetables using reservoirs by a women's group in northern Ghana.  Journal of Japanese Society of Irrigation, Drainage and Reclamation Engineering 88 (12): 23-26 (In Japanese)
 

Contributor: OKA Naoko (Rural Development Division)