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Aiming to be as inclusive as possible, and to broaden out the potential options available, you have advised to set up a committee to explore new development pathways for Riverbank City. You have invited representatives from all of the major groups in the city and surrounding area, including: those that engage in various local small-scale activities, such as fishing, farming and local tourism sectors; those involved in large-scale farming, namely large-scale farmers and rice millers; as well as the construction company that had sought the contract for the large dam. The committee also invites the Governor and government officers as observers.

The outcome of the deliberations broadly aligned along two visions. Those involved in small-scale activities argued to use state budget to support them, suggesting that there could be an integrated approach between tourism, fishing and farming, underpinned by environmental conservation. They proposed that this would create the most equal distribution of benefits and opportunities and be most sustainable, and not require large amounts of new water and electricity. They argued that the Regional Rice Hub and large dam vision would undermine the possibility of this locally-led integrated approach, and could result in public protests.

However, the large-scale farmers and rice millers, as well as the construction company argued that large-scale plans were still necessary for economic growth in Riverbank City, which would ultimately ‘trickle down’ to everyone. They were willing to compromise on the original scale of the Regional Rice Hub and large dam vision, but concluded that a comparable vision for agro-industrial development was needed including more water and electricity resources, although the latter could be generated by solar PV instead of a large dam. They argue that the locally-led integrated approach would not achieve rapid economic growth for Riverbank City, which has been echoed by some (but not all) local government agencies that are also concerned on the complexity of implementing the locally-led development plan.

The process has drawn upon the state budget, and taken more time since the original Regional Rice Hub plan was proposed. The Governor is now very concerned about the upcoming election, as well as increasing pressure from the national government to accelerate economic development in Riverbank City.

Would you advise the Governor to allocate the remaining budget to: 1) support the locally-led integrated approach; or 2) support a modified ‘compromise’ agro-industrial development approach which replaces the large dam project with a solar farm project?