Administrative Decentralization of Agricultural and Rural Development Programs in Asia: A Comparative Analysis*

Abstract

Governments of developing countries in Asia and the Pacific have been experimenting cautiously over the past decade and a half with policies and programs that seek to decentralize development planning and administration. Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Fiji used provincial administrative units; Pakistan and Nepal created integrated rural development programs in which responsibility was deconcentrated to regional or district organizations; Malaysia and India used semi-autonomous authorities to pursue agricultural and rural development; and Sri Lanka strengthened district administration. In Thailand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka a central government ministry or agency played an important role in guiding or supervising the programs. In addition, it was authorized to give grants and subsidies to credit institutions that helped small scale farmers, provide technical and financial assistance to farmers in improving agricultural and livestock raising practices, and strengthen farm marketing and processing organizations.