Rural Livelihood Markets and Economies

Abstract

The rural villages in India epitomize essence of Indian civilization as it is considered a repository of traditional mores and folkways. Rural villages are the integral part of the nation, not just as places of abode, but as the custodians of culture, tradition and the spit of the nation itself. The rural village and market is considered as static and a self sufficient unit of production and consumption but it is no longer so. The rural market in India is not a separate entity in itself and it is highly influenced by the economical, sociological and cultural factors operating in the country. Poverty and low level of literacy characterize rural population in India. Government of India had introduced a number of measures to improve the quality of life of rural masses. After agricultural revolution green and white, the yield per acre land and animal has increased substantially. The rural electrification programme also bought a new hope in rural area as did the irrigation development programme. All these factors, initiate some changes in rural life. As a result; there is a socio-economic revolution taking place in Indian villages since last few decades. Increasing knowledge of agriculture and methods of farming changed rural village economy far better than earlier. Socio-economic changes in villages have led villages to think of material well-being. The process of economic development has opened new avenues of income for rural people and education has broadened their horizons, resulting in a changed life style, and livelihood market.