抄録
Rural development is an important policy in the Fifth Malaysian Plan (1986-1990) as an efficient countermeasure for 1) large gaps in living standards between urban and rural areas, 2) concentration of population in urban areas, 3) increasing unemployment and 4) stagnant industrial development.
The Malaysia Government expects that urbanization of rural areas will alleviate those problems leading to 1) promotion of rural industry, 2) creation of employment opportunities, 3) enhancement of incomes, 4) provision of public services and 5) increased living standard for rural inhabitants.
In the Muda area, which is a representative paddy production area of the country and 46% of whose paddy farmers are under the poverty line, an increase in paddy production may not be a solution to the problems as the national target of rice self-sufficiency has been attained. Its development needs shoring up by the development of human resources along with local industries.
