Destruction of rural subsistence economy

Unprotected subsistence rights

Nature

The rural subsistence economy, the part of the economy from which until now the bulk of the rural population of developing countries produced its requirements, is being subjected to continual encroachments and destruction by capital-intensive export-agriculture, industrialization, and depredation of the environment. It is the destruction of this sector (a sector only partly integrated into the world economy and still partly autonomous) which is the root cause of the emigration of large parts of the rural population.

Incidence

The destruction of rural subsistence economies has been documented across multiple continents, particularly in regions experiencing rapid industrialization, land privatization, or large-scale agricultural reforms. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, between 1990 and 2020, over 200 million smallholder farmers worldwide lost access to traditional lands, undermining local food security and livelihoods. The phenomenon is especially acute in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, where rural populations are heavily dependent on subsistence agriculture.
A notable example occurred in Ethiopia’s Gambella region in 2011, when large-scale land leases to foreign agribusinesses displaced thousands of Anuak subsistence farmers. The loss of communal farmland forced many into urban migration and food insecurity.

Claim

Despite declarations by institutions such as the World Bank that the destruction of this sector should not run out of control, and the knowledge that it constitutes a source of cheap labour and the basis for political stability, nothing concrete has been done.

Counter-claim

The destruction of rural subsistence economies is often overstated. In a rapidly globalizing world, the shift towards modern economies fosters innovation, efficiency, and improved living standards. Rural subsistence practices can hinder progress, trapping communities in poverty and limiting access to education and healthcare. Embracing modernization allows for better resource management and economic growth, ultimately benefiting society as a whole. Prioritizing development over outdated subsistence methods is essential for a prosperous future.