The role of agricultural employment in local rural development strategies

Abstract

The long-term strategic objectives of EU Rural Development Policy in the next (2014-2020) programming
period are as follows: the competitiveness of agriculture, the sustainable management of natural resources
and the balanced territorial development. In this strategy agriculture seems to remain the key element as
solution for lagging rural areas. In cooperation with four villages of Nograd county a survey was carried out
in summer of 2012 questioning the local population about their economic and social conditions, the situation
of the local communities and their development ideas, with special focus on the investigation of the role and
potentials of agriculture. Summing up our research the social functions of traditional agriculture based on
local resources, the strengthening of viable farms, the increasing importance of diversification and the laborintensive products with high added-value have to be emphasized in the new rural policy. Besides agriculture
the improvement of urban-rural connections are essential for lagging rural areas as well, especially in terms
of employment, availability of services and allocation of local rural products to urban markets.