A PROJECT: To improve the competence of Virginia State College in analyzing and contributing to the resolution of problems of low-income farm and rural non-farm units in South Central Virginia and Ghana. DURATION: June 1, 1972-May 31, 1979. DEVELOPMENTS: Principal accomplishments during this report period fall under five categories: expanded knowledge; advisory capacity and capability; education and training; linkages and networks; and information capacity and dissemination. With a large proportion of its students coming from the rural areas, Virginia State College has long held an interest in the rural sector. Its Bureau of Economic Research and Development (BERD) has focused its research efforts on the low-income segment of the rural sector, specifically seventeen counties and five cities in rural South Central Virginia. Although productivity has been increased in the U.S., poverty has not been eradicated in many of its areas. Experience gained from solving problems in the rural agricultural and business sectors will help to solve similar problems in LDC”s. Recent experiences of the College support the belief that economic planning is essential for effectively re-allocating limited resources to stimulate economic growth under financial constraints. Efforts need to be especially directed toward manpower development, management, and marketing techniques. Eight field research projects are planned for Ghana and eight related domestic projects in the next report period. Objectives of the proposed studies include: increased understanding of project identification, design analysis and evaluation in LDC”s; increased understanding of rural development problems in LDC”s; increased capacity to advise and consult on rural development problems in LDC”s; and project reports and working papers.
