Introduction

Nearly half of the world’s population, including four out of five people living below the poverty line, live in rural areas. Extreme poverty is concentrated mainly in rural areas. Rural people also generally have less access to education, health and other essential services. Additionally, production and distribution of agricultural products—such as coffee, tea, bananas and palm oil— which largely engage rural people, often involve human rights abuses. Gender inequality, poor working conditions and the violation of indigenous land rights, for example, have often been reported in the supply chains of these products. Clearly, inclusion and improvement of the well-being of the rural population must become a focus or sustainable development cannot be achieved. The general principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind also highlights this imperative. However, the rural populations need not be viewed as passive recipients of attention. Instead, with the adoption of appropriate strategies, rural development can play an active role, serving as a driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sustainable Development Goals:

ALL SDG Goals