SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Abstract

People residing in rural areas of the various parts of developing countries are facing challenges related to unsustainability,
and poverty. Poor people are often seen as bound to use their immediate surrounding for short-term
endurance and are assumed to be the most exposed to natural resources degradation. Extensive theoretical literature on
social capital, poverty and sustainability has caught the attention of scientist for decades. Studies indicate that challenges
related to unsustainability and rural poverty is interrelated. The only possible means out of existing crisis is to
incorporate resources. The relationship amongst environment/agriculture, poverty and social capital are multifaceted
and inadequately understood. The developing countries have been condemned for their incapability to diminish poverty
related scarcity and contribution to sustainable agricultural development. Thus, there is a requirement for improving the
social capital of developing countries to incorporate environmental settings and people to lessen poverty and achieve
sustainable development. Social capital has been defined in numerous of ways that have been found to be linked to
collective norms, values and relationships be a sign of the involvement of human being leading a general life based on
family and community. Social capital is gaining its importance in relation to a number of related fields of investigations
that include issues influencing knowledge or education acquisition, peoples participation, community development and
poverty alleviation. Social capital enrichment may have direct relationship with people particularly those residing in the
rural areas. Community development is usually defined as social learning procedures which empower people and engross
them as citizens in collective activities aimed at socioeconomic development, poverty alleviation and sustainable
development. Thus, strategies such as promoting opportunity, facilitating empowerment and enhancing security to
reduce poverty and to achieve sustainable development may be directed towards enhancing development are discussed.