Heoretical framework: central place theory. Regional provision and useof services. Household patterns of service use. Changing patterns of service provision and use at the regional and household levels. Conclusions and policy implications.

Heoretical framework: central place theory. Regional provision and useof services. Household patterns of service use. Changing patterns of service provision and use at the regional and household levels. Conclusions and policy implications.

Life in rural communities is bound to change with historically unprecedented speed in the coming decades. How will this change be guided by local, national and global policies in order to enhance the livelihoods of rural inhabitants and to overcome the growing division of rural and urban areas? The contributions in this publication, ranging from scientific papers to short reports from practitioners, are grouped around 4 major themes: political and institutional frameworks to foster rural development; natural resources management; broadening the technological base of rural economies; and improved linkages between urban and rural areas. The overall message is unanimous: there is a promising future for the rural areas worldwide if adequate policies can be enforced and more efficient and fair institutions can be created.

Papers presented at the National Seminar on Rural Development in India: Prospects and Retrospect, held at St. Joseph's College, Jakhama in Nagaland, India; organized by St. Joseph's College, Jakhama, India; sponsored by University Grants Commission, North Eastern Regional Office, at India.

This volume is an effort to enhance, both directly and indirectly, the benefits of information for poverty alleviation through more informed food policy. This volume resulted from a multidisciplinary workshop held at the International Food Policy Research Institute in September 1992. It is divided into three parts: food policy issues and new challenges for data; strengths and weaknesses of different survey approaches for food policy design; and data quality and design of survey modules.