Module 2. Extension and rural development programme

Lesson 4

PRE-INDEPENDENCE EXTENSION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

4.1 Introduction

About 65 percent population of the country is living in the economically undeveloped area. Therefore, many evils such as illiteracy, superstitions, unhealthy practices etc. took roots in our country. After Second World War or after independence, it was thought to settle all these problems properly and so, many development programmes were reinvigorated. It is wrong to declare that there was nothing done during slavery period. However, those works, which were executed at that time, were very few in number according to the needs. Looking at a vast country like India, during British rule some selected social workers had started some programmes of rural development. The evolution of extension programme is described in two stages:

Stage I- Pre-Independence Era (1866-1947)

Stage II- Post-Independence Era (1947-1953)

4.1.1 Stage I. Pre-Independence Era (1866-1947)

During the pre-independence era, various attempts were made by the individual persons and private agencies viz. Gurgaon project in Haryana by Mr. F.L. Brayne; Sriniketan Experiment in Bengal by Sri Rabindra Nath Tagore; Servants’ of India Society, Pune, in Tamilnadu, Central India (presently Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh); Sir Daniel Hamilton’s Scheme of Rural Reconstruction at the Sunderbans in Bengal; Rural Reconstruction Work by Christian Missions through Allahabad Agricultural Institute; The Christian College, Nagpur; Marthandam project by Dr. Spencer Hatch under the auspices of YMCA; Sevagram experiment in Wardha by Mahatma Gandhi; Adarsh Seva Sangh, Pohri, Gwalior; Indian Village Service in Lucknow and Etawah in Uttar Pradesh by Mr. A.T. Mosher and Sarvoday Programme in Bombay province by Sri B. N. Gupta.

It was during this period that the Department of Agriculture came into being in June 1871 under the then Government of India, and by 1882, agricultural departments in most of the provinces started functioning in skeleton form. Recognising the need for new and improved methods of cultivation based on agricultural research, the then Government of India also set up an Institute of Agricultural Research at Pusa in Bihar in 1905.

Table 4.1 Rural development programmes

Year	Place	Person/agency
1903	Scheme of Rural Reconstruction at the Sunderbans in Bengal	Sir Daniel Hamilton
1920	Gurgaon project in Haryana	Mr. F.L. Brayne
1920	Sriniketan experiment in Bengal	Sri Rabindra Nath Tagore
1920	Seva-gram experiment in Wardha in Gujarat	Shree Mahatma Gandhi
1928	Marthandam project in Kerala	Dr. Spencer Hatch Young Men Christian Association (YMCA)
1932	Baroda village reconstruction project	Shree B.T. Krishnamachari
1942	Grow more food campaign	Agricultural departments of state governments
1945	Indian village service	Dr. W.H. Wisher
1946	Firka Vikas Yojana in Madras (now in Tamilnadu)	Government of Madras

4.1.1.1 Scheme of rural reconstruction at the sunderbans in bengal

In 1903, Sir Daniel Hamilton formed a scheme to create model villages, in an area in Sunderban (Bengal), based on cooperative principles. He organised one village of this type and set on Cooperative Credit Society which functioned up to 1916. In the 1924, he organised a Central Cooperative Bank and Cooperative Marketing Society and established a Rural Reconstruction Institute in 1934.The institute provided training facilities in cottage and subsidiary industries.

4.1.1.2 Gurgaon project (1920)

In Gurgaon district, this programme of village development was the first one to be run by the State. It was started by the Mr. F. L. Brayne. In 1920, Mr. Brayne had been appointed on the post of Deputy Commissioner in Gurgaon district and he began this project of rural upliftment in his district, which became famous as “Gurgaon Project”. The main objectives of this project were: (1) To increase crop production, (2) to control extra expenditure, (3) to improve the health, (4) to develop the feeling of women-education, and (5) home development work.

Although this project got some success yet this scheme also could not survive more because this project was also based upon the sentiments of F.L. Brayne and when he was transferred, gradually this programme also stopped.

4.1.1.3 Shriniketan project (1920)

Shriniketan is situated about 100 km. away from Calcutta (Kolkata) in West-Bengal State. This area was backward socially, economically and politically. Shri Ravindra Nath Tagore began this project of village development in this area with the help of sociologist Shri L.M. Hurst. Shri Tagore thought that if some villages were developed, the other villages will get inspiration and the programme of village development will spread all over the country and thus the whole country would be developed. Shriniketan Village Welfare Institute was established in 1920 whose main objectives were the following:

(1) To increase the knowledge of rural people.

(2) To help the rural people in establishing cottage industry.

(3) To inspire the people to follow new technology.

(4) Development of dairy farming.

(5) To create the feeling of co-operation.

(6) To arrange the facility of health and education.

(7) To create the feeling of rural leadership.

This Project, in the beginning, was started only in 8 villages but after some time this project was extended to 15 villages. Shri Tagore was the landlord of all these villages. Being centralized over Shri Tagore this Project could not survive after the death of Shri Tagore, and came to an end after his death.

4.1.1.4 Seva-gram (1920)

Mahatma Gandhi was a great social worker. He knew very well that as long as Indian people are suppressed, their society and their nation cannot progress. For ending this suppression, he began this welfare project “SEVA GRAM”, establishing his Ashram in wardha, in 1920. The main objective of this programme was to prevent the economic and social suppression of the people and to create the feeling of patriotism among them and they must think that this is their own country. For fulfilling this objective, Gandhiji made a programme, which became famous as “Gandhian Constructive Programme.” The main objectives of this project were: (1) to use khadi clothes, (2) to introduce Health Programme, (3) the programme of sanitation in the village, (4) the programme of women welfare, (5) the programme of economic help, (6) to uplift the backward classes, (7) primary and adult educational programmes, (8) to improve the conditions of poor people, (9) programme of social harmony, and (10) to popularise the mother tongue and other national dialects.

For making his programme successful and effective, Gandhiji had established All India Village Industry Association, All India Spinners Association, Hindustani Education Association and Kasturba Gandhi Association etc. Gandhiji’s constructive programme was not followed completely by majority because those things, which were made by machines, were more beautiful and low-priced, and the common people could not be impressed. The single cause of failure of Gandhiji’s programme was industrialization in the country.

4.1.1.5 Marthandam project (1928)

This project of rural development was initiated in the village Marthandam near Trivendrum of Kerala State by Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) and Christian Church Association under the direction of Dr. Spencer Hatch in 1928. This village was undeveloped economically and the economic condition of the native majority was poor. Here, people used to cultivate only paddy and coconut on some places. For exploiting this weakness, it was thought that some developmental work should be done, so that the Christian faith could spread. Consequently Dr. Hatch made agreement with YMCA and the Church for his work and initiated this project in neighbouring village Marthandam.

The objectives of this project were also made on the basis as to how the public of this area could become Christian. The main objectives of this project were:

a) Spiritual development

b) Mental development

c) Physical development

d) Social development

e) Economic development

This programme of Dr. Hatch remained for a long period because he had trained workers and the local people were inspired to work themselves. As such this project was very successful in this area. But the whole programme was centred on a person and after the death of Dr. Hatch, there was a conflict on the question of leadership between YMCA and Church Association and due to no economic advantage to the non-paid workers, this programme could not survive.

4.1.1.6 Baroda village reconstruction project (1932)

Shree B.T. Krishnamachari in Baroda in the Gujarat State initiated this Project in 1932. This Project Continued for a long period.

a) Objectives

· To improve the life style of rural people rapidly.

· To spread education and industrialization.

· To develop the necessary factors for the progress of agriculture.

b) Scope

· This Project was started in the district of Navsari in the Gujarat State.

· Many programmes such as gardening, poultry-farming, bee-keeping, spinning and weaving were organized.

· Re-stabilization of ‘Panchayats’ and other programmes of village progress were organized.

· The adult education had been extended.

c) Working System

· By personal education and contact by the village guides.

· To use the school teacher of village in the extension of programme.

· To use the traditional means of extension.

4.1.1.7 Grow more food campaign (1942)

This campaign, started in 1942, was continued after getting the independence. The main object of this campaign was to fulfil the need of food, which had been created due to the Second World War. This campaign was the first one to be organized on a national level. In this campaign, the new seeds and chemical fertilizers were distributed among the farmers. Agricultural departments of state governments organized this campaign.

a) Achievements

· After spending a lot of money, some problems were tackled in the end.

· The crop production increased due to new seeds and chemical fertilizers provided to the farmers.

· From this campaign, the production of cotton and jute increased appropriately.

b) Limitations

· Its work field was limited.

· The campaign was deemed to be temporary hence the work was done.

· The economic help, the distribution of good seeds and fertilizers could be available only on some places.

4.1.1.8 Indian village service (IVS-1945)

In 1945, under the guidance of Dr. W.H. Wisher, this service began in the village Agasoli, District Aligarh in U.P. But, after the partition of the country, the village volunteer M.V. Siddiqi Khan went to Pakistan and this centre was closed.

4.1.1.9 Firka vikas yojana (1946)

The government of Madras (now Tamil Nadu) decided to make efforts for the development of villages at Firka level. The first programme began in 1946. Among Pre-Independence project, this was the biggest project.