ABSTRACT
The rural population in developing countries has been increasing despite migrations to the urban areas. At the same time, industrial employment expansion has not been sufficient to absorb this increasing population. In addition, there is evidence of increasing landlessness among rural populations, particularly in South Asia and Latin America. All these factors point to the role of agriculture as chief employer and source of livelihood for Third World populations. Consequently, issues such as agricultural technology, mechanization, and rural industrialization are critical insofar as they determine the employment opportunities and labor displacement in rural regions.
