Rural Development: the Way Forward
For a country like India, which depends highly on agriculture for revenue generation, rural development is so important. Since independence, public interest in rural development has increased rapidly. Rural development is not only necessary for the people living in villages but it is also important for the overall economic growth of the country. Today rural development has greater importance in India than in the early days of independence. Since it has the utmost importance in the development of the country, the government has taken many steps to develop rural areas and to provide a better life for the people living in villages. From sanitation to drinking water supply, from roads to brick houses, from education to employment, India has made every effort possible for the development of rural areas. So what is the meaning of these efforts? What are the objectives behind it?
Objectives of rural development:
● Decrease in the rate of unemployment
● Improve the standard of living in rural areas
● Adequate income for food, clothes, water, and other necessary supplies
● Availability of pure drinking water
● Educational and medical facilities
● All-weather roads to ensure transportation
● Increase per capita income in rural areas
● Hygienic living conditions
● Women empowerment
● Infrastructure development ( electricity, irrigation, etc.)
In order to fulfill all those objectives, there are few factors we need to consider.
Factors affecting Rural Development:
1.Rising literacy level
More literacy means more chances of employability. As per NSS reports, the literacy rate in rural areas was 72.3% Male and 56.8% Females in 2014 which is higher as compared to the literacy rate of 68% male and 43% female in 2000.
The literacy rate is increasing year by year. The government has started providing online courses through SWAYAM, eVIDYA. The government has taken initiatives for offline education through schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).
2. Infrastructural activities
A strong infrastructure is a necessity for rural development. Roads, communication channels, electrification, drinking water supply, irrigation facilities, drainage lines, and proper houses to live are some of the key things that demonstrate rural development. In the last couple of decades, we have observed a growth in infrastructure facilities and public service projects in rural India.
3. New employment opportunities
Various policies have resulted in the development of rural India, which leads to new employment opportunities. One such initiative is TRYSEM(Training Rural Youth for Self- Employment). The main objective of this policy was to train youth to develop technical skills.
The most recent example is Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan where Hon. PM Modi invited startups to get funding for their prototypes. This will increase employment in the next decade.
4. Rising mass media
Increased communication channels like Television, social media, radio platforms have increased awareness among rural masses. With mobile phones and the internet, they can now search for jobs, learn new skills, and connect with people outside the village
Because of the rise of mass media, farmers and other people in rural areas are now aware of different government schemes which can be helpful for farming and other activities.
5. Agricultural research
In India, agriculture research is conducted by the ICAR- Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Research helps us understand the behavior of crop yield under different atmospheric and soil conditions, and how the use of certain fertilizers can increase production. The use of new scientific methods has been beneficial for farmers. This led us to the green revolution.
6. Urban influence
Communication channels like social media brought rural people closer to urban people. Rural people are influenced by urban people. It changed their buying behaviors and lifestyle which led to the increased demands for consumer goods.
Increased demands attracted many industries and many MNCs entered the rural market. MNCs worked towards making their products available at affordable prices. It resulted in more sales which helped to grow the economy. MNCs also started offering jobs to locals increasing the employability rate.
7. Government initiatives
The government of India has taken many initiatives to promote rural development. Some of the examples are as below:
Those were the few factors that affect the development of rural areas. If we look at the bigger picture there will be a never-ending list of problems. Rural development is happening at a lightning speed, and it will in the coming decades. We have to understand that rural development is as important as urban development and have to work towards it. Many companies are yet to come to fulfill the demands of rural areas. One such company is KhedutPay.
