Meaning of Rural Development

Introduction: What is Rural Area?

According to the planning commission of India, a rural place is a region where the maximum population does not exceed 15,000. Another definition of a rural area is where the population density is a maximum of 400 people per square kilometer. These places there fall in the realms of tier 3 to tier 6 cities in India.

In India, rural areas are governed by panchayats and they lack a municipal board. Therefore, in simple words, rural areas are villages and countryside areas that lack a modern governance system.

As most of the geographical area of India is rural in nature, the government spends a significant monthly expenditure for the upliftment of these areas. The current monthly expenditure of the government to boost rural areas is nearly 55% of the total expenditure, but the government is aiming to increase the expenditure significantly.

Main Objectives of Rural Development

• The first and foremost objective of any rural development program is to boost the economy of rural areas. With a focus on increasing rural jobs and employment, the government aims to bring a significant rural population out of poverty.

• Another aim of rural development programs is to provide rural areas with adequate access to food, shelter, clothing, education, and employment in order to bring a common level with urban areas of the nation.

• Using modern technology for agriculture is another objective for rural development initiatives. Thus, rural development initiatives aim to increase the production rate of rural areas by using modern technologies.

• Aims of rural development also include the development of infrastructure in order to provide an opportunity for the rural public to take part in area-based financial development.

• Diminishing the gap between local governing bodies and the center in order to facilitate faster and better economic communication is also an aim of rural development programs. There is also an aim to provide executive powers to the panchayats for carrying on expert-built strategies.

• The final goal of rural development is to maximize the use of local natural resources for self-sustainability and self-reliance. This includes appropriate land reform measures to strengthen the productivity of agriculture-based firms.

Factors Affecting Rural Development Initiatives

The following factors affect the rural development initiatives in India −

Technology

Technology and the efficient use of various technological measures to increase production play an important role in developing rural areas’ incomes in India. By using modern technologies and scientific breakthroughs farmers and agriculturists can have increased productivity. In addition, modern techniques of irrigation and other similar techniques can also enhance the productivity of agricultural products which may impact the income of firms based in rural areas.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure, including concrete roads, supply of electricity, and means of transport, play a pivotal role in enhancing productivity and boosting the income of the rural population. As pucca roads connect the rural areas with cities, the rural products reach urban markets easily. Availability of electricity helps in various agricultural processes and reduced transport time ensures products reach the bigger markets in time. All of these factors have a combined effect in boosting rural development in India.

Education

Access to education in rural areas is a major priority of the government for boosting rural development. Education not only helps rural people to share resources but also lets them participate in the economy with confidence and zeal. By accessing modern education, rural people can reduce the knowledge gap between urban and rural populations. This helps in minimizing the lack of opportunity available to the rural population in comparison to the urban ones. This, in turn, will reduce the levels of poverty in rural areas.

Healthcare

Better healthcare is an utmost need for rural people as they lack a better healthcare infrastructure and suffer from many healthcare issues for having less access to modern healthcare techniques. By ensuring quality healthcare the child mortality rate can be reduced while increasing an uncompromised overall standard of life. Without offering a good healthcare option, it is impossible to enhance the quality of life of the rural population and therefore, healthcare is one of the biggest priorities of the government when considering rural development.

Factors for Sustainable and Inclusive Rural Development

For sustainable and inclusive rural development, the following factors must be followed −

• There should be a use of advanced technologies to enhance irrigation for all types of lands. This will ensure productivity remains at the top so that rural farmers can have enough opportunities to increase their incomes.

• Discrimination based on location, education, and financial status should be reduced and inequality must be diminished in order to bring a sense of unity which will create a common platform for both urban and rural populations to share a sense of productivity and unity.

• There should be enough credit services for farmers to access quality agricultural items, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds. There should also be subsidies for electricity so that they can make better use of modern agricultural equipment. This will enhance the farmers’ output and increase their income.

• There should be enough credit services for farmers to access quality agricultural items, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds. There should also be subsidies for electricity so that they can make better use of modern agricultural equipment. This will enhance the farmers’ output and increase their income.

Scope of Rural Development in India

As most of the Indian population lives in villages, the scope, and nature of rural development are hugely vast in the general sense. In order to improve India’s economic condition, therefore, rural development is the best possible measure. The rural areas must be provided with enough economic opportunities to build a strong economic infrastructure in India.

The government of India usually realizes this and a significant portion of the budget is spent on rural development every year. However, to cover all the aspects of inclusive growth and development of rural India, more inclusion of the rural population, infrastructure, and technology must be applied.

It must be noted that without the progress of the rural population, the rise of the Indian economy is impossible. Therefore, a prepper measure to enhance rural development must be taken with an appropriate agenda.

Conclusion

Rural development is the only way to improve India’s economic condition as most of the population lives in rural areas. Therefore, a study of the rural areas and the needs of these areas for inclusive growth must be part of everyone’s knowledge.

FAQs

Qns 1. What is meant by rural area according to the planning commission of India?

Ans. According to the planning commission of India, a rural place is a region where the maximum population does not exceed 15,000. Another definition of a rural area is where the population density is a maximum of 400 people per square kilometer. These places there fall in the realms of tier 3 to tier 6 cities in India.

Qns 2. Name three factors that affect rural development.

Ans. Three factors that may affect rural development include technology, healthcare, and education.

Qns 3. What is the first objective of a rural development policy?

Ans. The first and foremost objective of any rural development program is to boost the economy of rural areas. With a focus on increasing rural jobs and employment, the government aims to bring a significant rural population out of poverty.