Home Science Extension and Rural Development

HOME SCEINCE EXTENSION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Lesson 31:Rural development

Dimensions of rural development

Although in rural development programmes priority should be given to the marginalized, poor and deprived section of society, it should encompass all aspects of rural life, including nature and its elements.

The important dimensions of rural development works are presented below:

1. Dimension 1: Development of agriculture and allied sectors In rural development programmes, emphasis should be given for development of modern agriculture and allied sectors. This includes high yielding and hybrid seeds, fertilizers and chemicals, knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), availability of improved agricultural implements, preservation of biodiversity, collection and maintenance of Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) and germplasm. Besides introduction of new and value added crops, food processing, post-harvest technology, promotion of agri-business and small scale industries, dairy, poultry, forestry, fish-culture, sericulture etc. are important areas which need to be developed.
2. Dimension 2: Socio-economic and political development Rural development also encompasses improvement of socio¬economic and political conditions of the rural people. Rural development programmes may be meaningful and significant when the rural people have freedom to express their opinion, free and fair franchise in democracy, increased purchasing power, uplifted from below the poverty line (BPL), freedom of indebtedness from private money leaders etc.
3. Dimension 3: Improving quality of rural life Improving quality of rural life is also in important dimension of rural development. In this dimension, activities may. include construction of rural durable assets and infrastructure like roads, bridges, power supply, educational facilities, improving health and sanitation, adopting of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in rural areas, new product development for rural market viz. fast moving consumer goods (for example, cosmetics, toiletries, foods and beverages etc.), durable agricultural goods and services like insurance, banking, telephone etc.
4. Dimension 4: Rural disaster risk mitigation For sustainable rural development, disaster risk mitigation is an important aspect which the policy makers and project administrators should take into account. For this purpose, community risk perception, risk• identification, risk mitigation and risk transfer through insurance like crop insurance, Kisan Credit Card etc. should be taken into account. Prevention of river bank erosion, flood and drought control measures, community capacity building are also included under this dimension.