Impact of rural development support on livelihoods and poverty in South Serbia

Abstract

Poverty represents a major problem in rural areas in Serbia. Agriculture households in South Serbia fall into the category of regions with difficult conditions for agriculture such as the lack of connection between the new technologies and users, low population density, small plots, lack of information, difficult access to counselling services, low level of initiatives and the absence of local administrative capacity and technical assistance in agricultural production. There is a huge potential in these rural areas, represented in terms of natural resources, agricultural land, water, forests, biodiversity, the potentials for renewable energy, mineral resources, as well as numerous recreational and tourism potentials that have increasing importance and value. In order to stimulate the development of the region there has been a great number of programs coming from the national and international level. The purpose of the study is to explore the effects of developing funds on reducing poverty and livelihood of the agricultural households in South Serbia. The study is focusing on analysing the effect of funds on households income and effects on their social position. The study applied quantitative research approach. The ninety two households were interviewed with semi-structured questionaire. Results of the study indicate that the funds helped in reducing the poverty level.