Pilot village rural development, Iran, 1970 - The village of Dusadj was destroyed by an earthquake in 1962. During the course of reconstruction, by volunteers of a European working group and students from Teheran University, enquiries were made into the socio-economic situation of the village. On the basis of these enquiries, Dusadj and three neighbouring villagers were chosen for a pilot experiment in rural development which, if successful, could be later applied to sme 60 villages in the region. The project area is in the district of Kharagan, 170 Kms south-west of Teheran, and is financed by Trust Funds amounting to approximately $147.000 provided by FAO/Freedom from Hunger Campaign plus a Government contribution of approximately $165.000. Repairing and renewing an old irrigation dam which had seriously deteriorated near the village of Yengi Kand. The villagers requested FFHC financial assistance, technical advice from the government and FAO. The new dam will give the people security and happiness for many years to come.