Importance of Rural Resilience
- Population Dependency: Over 65% of India’s population resides in rural areas.
- Challenges: Rural India faces issues such as erratic monsoons, groundwater depletion, and agricultural volatility.
Key Factors Driving Rural Growth
- Infrastructure Development:
- PM Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Jal Jeevan Mission enhance connectivity and amenities.
- Over 7 lakh kms of rural roads built in the last 21 years.
- Digital Inclusion:
- Rising smartphone use and platforms like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) foster financial inclusion.
- UPI transactions in rural areas rose 118% in 2023.
- Agricultural Reforms:
- Support for agribusiness under PM-KISAN and National Livestock Mission.
- Credit disbursed to agriculture reached ₹22.84 lakh crore by January 2024.
- Rural MSMEs and Start-ups:
- Growth driven by Startup India Rural Program and MUDRA Yojana.
- 31% of MSMEs are engaged in manufacturing, with over 50% in rural areas.
- Decentralized Renewable Energy:
- PM-KUSUM scheme promotes solar power, benefiting farmers and reducing costs.
- Healthcare and Social Welfare:
- Programs like Ayushman Bharat improve health outcomes; 5 crore hospital admissions recorded.
- Rural Tourism:
- Initiatives under Dekho Apna Desh leverage cultural heritage to boost income.
- Women Empowerment:
- Over 8.7 crore women involved in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) improve decision-making and income.
Key Issues in Rural Landscape
- Agrarian Distress: Low income levels due to fragmented landholdings and climate change impact.
- Health Infrastructure: Only 25% of rural population has access to modern healthcare.
- Educational Inequality: Inadequate infrastructure and digital access hinder rural education.
- Unemployment: High rates of underemployment, particularly among youth.
- Access to Clean Water: Many households still lack consistent access to safe drinking water.
- Climate Change: Increasing extreme weather events threaten agricultural livelihoods.
- Social Inequalities: Gender disparities and caste-based discrimination remain prevalent.
- Financial Exclusion: Many rely on informal moneylenders due to lack of access to institutional credit.
Measures to Promote Rural Growth and Resilience
- Climate-Smart Agriculture: Adopt practices to reduce vulnerability to climate change.
- Technology in Governance: Use platforms like e-Gram Swaraj for better fund allocation.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage private sector involvement in rural development.
- Integrated Rural Entrepreneurship: Support diverse rural businesses through training and loans.
- Sustainable Housing: Implement disaster-resilient housing technologies.
- Strengthening Healthcare: Expand telemedicine and health infrastructure.
- Enhancing Local Governance: Empower Panchayati Raj Institutions for effective scheme implementation.
Way Forward
Building rural resilience is crucial for India’s future, requiring a holistic approach integrating infrastructure, technology, and socio-economic empowerment to address ongoing challenges.
Mains Answer Writing Practice Question
Discuss the key challenges hindering rural growth in India and suggest comprehensive measures to promote sustainable and inclusive development. (200 words)