What is the importance of Rural Development?

What Is Rural Development?

Rural development involves improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas, often relatively isolated and sparsely populated. The development of rural areas has traditionally centered on the exploitation of land-intensive natural resources such as agriculture and forestry. Rural areas, however, have changed due to changes in global production networks and urbanization. Resources extraction and agriculture have increasingly been replaced as dominant economic drivers by tourism, niche manufacturers, and recreation. The need for rural communities to view development from a broader perspective has led to a greater focus on a broad range of development goals, rather than merely encouraging agricultural or resource-based businesses. In order to develop rural areas, education, entrepreneurship, physical infrastructure, and social infrastructure are crucial. Rural development is also characterized by its emphasis on locally sourced economic strategies. In contrast to urban areas, which have many similarities, rural areas are highly distinct from each other. Therefore, there are many different rural development approaches around the world. "Rural development" is a very broad concept. Basically, it focuses on actions for the economic development of areas outside the mainstream urban economy.

Rural Development In India

The development of the rural economy in India is one of the most important factors for the growth of the Indian economy. The Indian economy is largely based on agriculture. In India, agriculture accounts for nearly one-fifth of our gross domestic product. A number of programs pertaining to rural development in India have been planned by the Indian Government to stimulate the growth of agriculture. For the development of the rural sector in India, the Ministry of Rural Development is the apex body for formulating policies, regulations, and acts. The rural businesses and economies are dominated by agriculture, handicrafts, fisheries, poultry, and dairy products.

Several changes have taken place over the years in rural development in India in terms of its emphasis, approaches, strategies, and programs. Rural development now possesses a new understanding and outlook due to these changes. It is only through the involvement of rural development's clients that rural development can become richer and more meaningful. In the same way that implementation is the touchstone of planning, rural development is based on people's involvement. Participation of the people is one of the most fundamental prerequisites for a successful development process, from both a methodological and a philosophical standpoint. It is important for those involved in development planning and administration to involve different groups of rural people in the plans, aiming to make them participatory.

Statistics India 2021

Approximately 3/4th of the country's total population lives in the rural areas today (75%) of India. According to Census Bureau data, 68.84% of the population lives in rural areas. These areas have historically lagged far behind the economic growth of the nation. Rural areas remain often reliant on agriculture as a source of livelihood. More than two-thirds of the Indian population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods. Agriculture will help rural areas and people prosper, so its development will contribute to rural improvement. The vast majority of poor people reside in rural areas. As a result, they lack access to basic necessities such as food, health care, sanitation, etc. Education, health, and other public services are inherently more difficult for rural residents to access than they are for urban residents. In addition to human rights abuses, gender inequality, poor working conditions, and violations of indigenous land rights, rural residents are more likely to deal with human rights violations. The emergence of rural discontent, polarization, and unrest is a consequence of rural inequalities in India. Rural areas are home to nearly half of India's population, including four out of five people living below the poverty level. 

Most of India's extreme poverty is concentrated in rural areas. Furthermore, rural residents generally have less access to education, health, and other essential services. Aside from agricultural production and distribution, human rights abuses are often to be found in the production and distribution of agricultural products, such as coffee, tea, bananas, and palm oil. Many of these products have been found to be sold in supply chains that are characterized by gender inequality, poor working conditions, and violations of indigenous land rights. Inclusion of rural populations and improving their well-being must become a priority, otherwise sustainable development cannot occur. In the current model of rural development, there is insufficient protection for the planet's health. The depletion, degradation, and pollution of water and land resources are common problems in rural areas. Continual loss of forests and wilderness further exacerbates climate change and increases the occurrence of zoonotic diseases, including COVID-19. As a result of climate change, agriculture and rural economies are experiencing more adverse effects, creating a vicious cycle.

Importance Of Rural Development

The Indian rural economy is an integral component of the economy as a whole. Rural development is geared towards improving the quality of life of the rural people by reducing poverty by providing self-employment and wage employment programs, providing drinking water, electricity, highway connectivity, health, housing, and education facilities to rural residents, strengthening Panchayati raj institutions, and strengthening community infrastructure. The role of rural development is important not only for the majority of the population who live in rural areas but also for the overall economic development of a country. In the process of the evolution of the country, the process of rural development is becoming increasingly important than it was in the past. The objective of this approach is to achieve increased productivity, greater socio-economic equality and ambition, and stability in social and economic development. There is a primary objective of decreasing the widespread famine that exists in approximately 70 percent of rural areas and providing ample and healthy food to all. Additionally, the secondary responsibility is to ensure access to clothing and footwear, a clean environment and house, medical attention, recreational facilities, education, and communication.

How Can We Tackle Rural Crisis

Recent years have seen rural development take on global significance, especially among developing nations. For a country like India where the majority of the population, 65% of the people, live in rural areas, such a report is of particular importance. In light of these statistics, the Pledge Foundation has entered into an agreement to participate and assist in the overall development of rural areas.

Our Objectives for Rural Development are:

• Improving rural productivity and wages.

• Improving the availability of jobs in rural areas.

• Improving rural productivity and wages.

• Raising the living standards of the underprivileged.

• The basic needs: elementary education, healthcare, clean drinking water, rural roads, etc.

Our present strategy of rural development in India mainly focuses on poverty alleviation, better livelihood opportunities, provision of basic amenities, and infrastructure facilities through innovative programs of wage and self-employment.