Rural development needs strategy

A MORE strategic approach to supporting rural development is urgently required, Macra na Feirme national president Catherine Buckley told the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal last night.

Ms Buckley said rural development can be classified into three categories — investment in human capital, investment in the physical infrastructure and support for voluntary organisations.

She also highlighted the continuing role which agriculture plays as the backbone of all rural communities. “Farming and the continuation of the family farm must be supported and encouraged by government.