"Based on case study research in four low income sub-Saharan African countries - Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi - this book brings together the micro-level realities of gaining a living in rural areas with the macro-level policies that seek to secure rapid poverty reduction in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goal of halving global poverty by the year 2015." "This book exposes the gap that occurs between the rhetoric of poverty reduction strategies in capital cities and the practice of public sector delivery in rural areas. It will be essential reading for advanced students and researchers in the fields of rural development, rural livelihoods, poverty reduction strategies and sub-Saharan African development as well as advisors and practitioners in international organisations."--BOOK JACKET.