Ecotechnology and rural employment : a dialogue / edited by M. S. Swaminathan

A disturbing feature of contemporary devel opment pathways is what UNDP in its 1993 Human Development Report has termed "jobless growth." Since 1975, employment growth has consistently lagged behind GDP growth. This gap is widening during the 1990's. Consequently, expanding work opportunities, particularly for the rural and urban poor, is now high on the political and technological agenda of both industrialised and developing countries.

This Dialogue shows the way to an ecologi cally and socially substainable job led eco nomic growth strategy. It recommends a paradigm shift from a growth model based entirely on economic criteria to one based on concurrent attention to the principles of ecology, equity and employment, in addition to economics. Ecotechnology helps to com bine traditional wisdom and techniques with modern science and technology, in such a manner that rural livelihoods are strength ened both ecologically and economically. Ecotechnology is both knowledge and la bour intensive and provides opportunities for integrating intellect with labour in a synergistic manner.

China's experience in creating millions of non-farm jobs through its Rural Township Enterprises Programme is indeed rich. This Dialogue provides insight into the vast and varied experience available in China and India, in the area of diversification of work opportunities in villages,

Nearly 100 million new jobs will have to be created in the farm and off-farm sectors in India in order to achieve the goal of work for all. This will call for both a new deal for the self-employed and for greater research and development efforts in the field of ecotechnology.