Model of Multifunctional Development of the Community Arilje

Short introduction to the doctoral thesis of Vojislav Simanović elaborated under the mentoring of Prof. Dr. Nebojša Novković, regular professor of the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad. The thesis was successfully defended on February 24, 2012.
The aim of the dissertation research is that through scientific description, analysis of the condition and quality of the available economic potential in Serbian rural areas defines effective model and measures (strategies) for the structural adjustment to multifunctional and sustainable development of rural areas of Serbia, which contribute to economic and social progress. In order to test the general model, based on the same principles (analysis of potential and resources) a model of sustainable multifunctional development of rural areas of the Municipality Arilje will be defined.
Experiences in the field of rural development in our region are modest with insufficiently affirmed issues of systematic changes taking place in Serbia. The Serbian economy is in a long period of social and economic changes that affect agriculture too. The process of transformation and structural adjustment of the economy is a sort of "catching up" with developed economies, but at a low level of economic development. Since then, agricultural and rural policy in Serbia is in constant change. This fact confirms the importance of choice of the concept for further development and creation of all the necessary preconditions for the establishment of economic and market system able to face the upcoming competition.
Rural areas can't build their future on traditional resources and activities, and the concept of a modern, sustainable development requires a new scenario, in order to achieve rural development processes that will launch development of an innovative behavior, in accordance with the social, economic, spatial and environmental factors of development.
Survey results will represent an important basis for the dynamic structure of development and change of economic structure, where agricultural development will not be primarily focused on increasing production, but on the development of products and services that are economically effective and efficient (competitive) and meet the new technical/hygienic and environmental requirements for food safety and attitude towards environmental protection an rural development.