Management of Rural Living (Edexcel IGCSE Geography)

• Sustainable management of rural areas in developing and emerging countries is essential to:
  • Reduce rural-urban migration and rural depopulation
• Sustainable management will help to:
  • Increase food supplies
  • Improve the environment (soil and air quality)
  • Increase employment
  • Improve water supplies

• Rural areas in Kenya are not currently economically, socially or environmentally sustainable
• Commercial horticulture has increased the GDP and created many jobs but has negative impacts:
  • Local farmers have been persuaded to sell land
  • The production of food for Kenyans has decreased leading to food shortages
  • Irrigation uses valuable water resources
  • Monocultures are damaging to the environment
• Tourism could increase rural sustainability by creating jobs and improving infrastructure but has negative impacts:
  • Many resorts are owned by foreign companies meaning that profits do not benefit Kenya
  • Jobs in tourism for Kenyans are often low paid 
  • Mass tourism can be damaging to the environment and wildlife

Strategies for a Sustainable Rural Environment 

• Soil quality: the use of organic fertilisers, terracing, cover crops and agroforestry can help improve soil quality
• Air quality: reducing the use of fuel wood by increasing renewable energy sources for electricity and using solar cookers will reduce pollutants 
• Water supplies: the building of wells/boreholes in villages to ensure access to clean water, the use of water butts to store water for irrigation and the use of drip irrigation to avoid waste
• Crop yields: the use of manure for fertiliser, drip irrigation and drought-resistant crops will all increase yields and reduce food shortages
• Health: increased access to vaccinations, ante-natal and health care will improve the general quality of health
• Employment: encouraging small businesses to set up with grants and loans, and  increase eco-tourism which involves the local community
• Housing: support communities in the construction of higher quality housing with access to toilets with sanitation