Klasteri u funkciji ruralnog razvoja / Clusters in the function of rural development

In this monograph the autor treats clusters as a contemporary form of association and the instrument for the promotion of rural development. In the first chapters she emphasizes the integrated rural development concept, dimensions of rural development, indicators of rural areas. Aspects of local economic development and explains the various instruments to promote it. Rural development, as an integral part of local economic development, is a comprehensive development of rural areas, including all areas of human life and work (economics, ecology, sociology, education, health care, utility construction, etc.). The monograph provides a brief overview of the situation and development problems of agriculture and rural areas of Serbia. We should not make the mistake by identifying rural with agricultural, which is specially emphasized in this work. In the context of rural development particular attention should be paid to agricultural development, especially since agriculture is the main economic activity in rural areas. Considering that rural areas in Serbia spread over fourfifths of its territory, agriculture deserves much more attention of state and local governments, a better concept of agricultural development, improved macroeconomic policies ets., which is one of the visions that are stressed in the monograph. Clusters are one of the methods of solving the problems of rural areas and therefore occupy a central part of this monograph. The author discussed the role and importance of the cluster model of association in the Serbian economy, specifically referring to agricultural clusters in order to increase competitiveness of a country. Serbian agriculture is not competitive in many areas, primarily due to poor organization, natural character of production, low level of cooperation, obsoletetechnical equipment and machinery, low overall efficiency of production, lack of processing capacity, low investment level, but also because of ineffective antitrust policy, inadequate role of the state expressed primarily throught small agricultural budget and inadequate agricultural policy, legal insecurity and under-developed physical and innovative infrastructure, which causes unfavorable economic results. Cimpetitiveness could be raised to a higher level and many of these problems could be solved by creating new organizational forms and systems of association, as it is cluster. This study could represent an important base for further research and development of rural areas.