This paper will critically analyze Chapter 6 of the National Development Plan which focuses on the inclusion of the rural economy in development planning in South Africa. Rural integration is vitally important to revitalize the economies of rural areas which have been relatively marginalized in development planning since the apartheid era. The government therefore saw the need to stimulate economic growth in rural areas in order to promote employment opportunities and empowerment of local rural communities. Notably, this integration of rural areas in development planning will also impact other issues specific to rural areas, such as provision of and access to health care, water and sanitation issues. In addition, the NDP also intends to curb the growing problem of rural-urban migration, which is devastating to the stock of rural human capital, vital for local economic development. However, a critical analysis of the viability and sustainability of jobs is necessary. creation in the agri-food sector proposed by the government taking into account the current forces of globalization and climate change. In an effort to solve the problems of climate change affecting agricultural activities, the document proposes the creation of irrigation schemes in rural areas, which in some ways contradicts the 2030 vision of a "healthy" environment. in chapter 5 [you must indicate healthy conditions”. environmental perspective versus the question of irrigated agriculture]. This paper will therefore examine the government's policy positions and their feasibility in relation to current issues and debates around economic development and development integration in rural areas. A key concept highlighted in this chapter is "participation", which requires ...... middle of paper ......rtfall, 2008:451). Community marginalization is then discussed with political structures such as those that characterized the apartheid era, which were not open enough to allow participation from rural areas. From this perspective, it is then fair to argue that the NDP itself does not do justice in allowing the participation of rural communities due to its “top-down” approach which undermines notions of social inclusion. It is therefore necessary for planners and government to also consider and value the different dimensions that encompass participation or inclusion as a whole. This also requires careful review of the NDP document itself regarding its availability and accessibility. Thus, we cannot speak of inclusive development when the people involved are not even aware of or cannot access the document that determines their future...