In practice, there is no automatic link between rural areas and poverty. Not all rural economies are weak and not all of them are overdependent on agriculture. Those that are more accessible, contain thriving urban areas and have diversified away from the lower value-added parts of agriculture, are in many cases performing better than average. All three examples illustrate the importance of sectoral balance for economic development and prosperity. They also illustrate the importance of the relationship between urban and rural areas.
Urban areas are vital locomotives for the development of neighbouring rural areas.
In an increasingly globalised economy, where there is increased potential for links between urban areas, it is important that this should not be at the expense of links to local rural areas.