IMPACTS OF INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT (IRD) TOWARDS TRADITIONAL VILLAGE ECONOMY IN KETENGAH, TERENGGANU, MALAYSIA

Abstract

This study investigates the anticipated impacts of an integrated economy on six (6) traditional villages in the District of Dungun, Terengganu, Malaysia, which villages have undergone “Integrated Rural Development” (IRD). The IRD has promoted a continual intervention and collaboration process that involved external parties, including government agencies, to improve the rural local economy and the villagers’ quality of life. The villagers’ aspiration to improve their economic wealth was blended carefully with the preservation of local values through local distribution, thus reducing rural-urban incongruity. Alternatives were also sought to strengthen and use natural resources. The integrated economic sectors assessed in these villages were agriculture, livestock, aquaculture, small-and-medium entrepreneurs (SME) industries, and rural tourism. This paper seeks to evaluate the impacts of these economies on the concept of IRD by using Creative Index Analysis (C.I) in determining the best practice framework. By emphasising the principle of “best value for money”, CI was used to measure the value of anticipated impact, particularly the benefits that will be received by the people against the cost of development and operation for a period of its lifespan. A 1.0 creative index value refer to a rural area that has an economic integration potential and disparities that were overcome by the analysis. Most importantly, more than 78% of the 114 respondents from this area agreed with the project implementation. To ensure the impacts of the IRD project, the development framework proposes the consideration of at least three potential aspects within five years of implementation: training, new and existing development, and assistance in product marketing.