SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS December, 1969 SOUTHERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: SOME VIEWS ON RESEARCH NEEDS

The purpose of this paper is to present some ideas ment, but agricultural development could also con-on research needs in the area of Southern Economic tribute significantly in specific geographic areas. The Development. Discussion is centered on subtopics of farm programs of the present and the past 35 years agricultural development, industrial development, and bear on economic development. Perhaps too much research orientation. Exposition is generally in terms emphasis has been placed on how big agriculture is, of questions posed but unanswered. without sufficient regard for secondary effects and contributions to local, area, and state economies. AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT What effects have program emphases on volume-associated benefits had on the present structure of The traditional role of agricultural development farming in low income areas? What beneficial effect has been to provide for food and fiber needs with (in terms of local economic development) might cer-fewer and fewer resources, thus, freeing resources for tain reorientations of such commodity programs have? use in producing other goods and services associated One such reorientation might take the form of pay-with a higher standard of living. Such a process re- ment limitations which could conceivably inhibit de-quires that nonagricultural enterprises be able to velopment by lessening the demand for agribusines