Rural Development In India Research Articles

An Initiative of E-Governance and its impact on Rural Development in India

An Initiative of E-Governance and its impact on Rural Development in India

Evidence of potential impacts of a nutrition-sensitive agroecology program in Andhra Pradesh, India, on dietary diversity, nutritional status, and child development.

While a number of studies have examined the nutritional impacts of agroecological interventions, few have examined impacts on child development, maternal and child anemia, and men's dietary diversity. Moreover, there have been few such evaluations at scale. We evaluated the impact of a large-scale, multi-component food-based nutrition intervention involving homestead food production, nutrition counselling, cooking demonstrations, and crop planning exercises. A cross-sectional assessment was conducted in 2021-2022 of 50 intervention villages where the nutrition-sensitive agroecology program had been implemented since 2018 and 79 control villages where only the agroecology program had been implemented. Data on self-reported dietary intake, caregiver-reported early child development, anthropometric measurements, and hemoglobin concentrations were collected using standardized procedures by trained Nutrition Farming Fellows, who were also responsible for implementing the program. A sample of 3,511 households (1,121 intervention and 2,390 control) participated in the survey. Dietary diversity scores (DDS) among women and men were mean (SD) 6.53 (±1.62) and 6.16 (±1.65), respectively, in intervention villages and 5.81 (±1.58) and 5.39 (±1.61), respectively, in control villages (p<0.01). DDS among children 6-24 months of age in intervention and control villages was 2.99 (±1.52) and 2.73 (±1.62), respectively (p<0.01). Children <2 years of age were less likely to be anemic in intervention versus control villages (59% versus 69%, p<0.01). Children 18-35 months age in intervention villages had higher child development scores than children in control villages (all p<0.05). Nutrition-sensitive agroecological programs may be effective in improving diets, nutrition, and child development in rural India.

Public spending and rural development in Nigeria

The concerns of modern development have been on the need to boost living conditions which involves reducing poverty, unemployment, and inequality. Statistics has proved that these indices are quite high in the rural areas hence, the need to put up the needed actions to facilitate rural development. In this paper, we explored the role of public spending in fostering rural development in Nigeria from 2000 to 2020. The public spending on economic services and that of social and community services were considered, while the key rural development indicators captured were people practising open defecation, access to drinking water (both basic and safely managed), access to sanitation (both basic and safely managed), and access to electricity. The analysis was conducted using the ordinary least squares estimation technique. Findings of the study indicated that public spending on social community services substantially reduced the proportion of rural Nigerians practicing open defecation; and it increases the proportion of rural Nigerians having access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and electricity. This made the study to conclude that public spending is potent in driving rural development in Nigerian hence, the need for increased spending on social and community services in the country.

ICT Based Applications to Support Rural Development in India – A Review

A brief review was done based on the literatures available and the findings from these research studies are used to evaluate its effectiveness on rural livelihood upliftment, poverty alleviation and implications for education and further research. Rural development in India is one of the most important factors for the growth of the Indian economy. Even after seventy years post-independence, India has not been able to come under “developed nation”, instead the nation is still developing. Public administration, governed by bureaucratic structures that dominated the twentieth century has failed to respond to the changing requirements of the present times. ICT plays a prominent role in strengthening societal development and helps to speed up the developmental process and can also bridge gaps between the educationally and technologically backward and forward sections of society. Various e-governance projects have attempted to improve the reach, enhance the base, minimize the processing costs, increase transparency and reduce the cycle times. For example, the introduction of computer and e-chaupal, radio farm forum, community radio, and ministry of rural development mobile apps such as shramik bandhu, janmanrega, meri sadak app, etc., are some of the initiatives by the government that have up to some extent been able to bring the rural population in contact with technologies. There are great opportunities for ICT application that help in democratic and sustainable development of rural India. This review mainly focuses on various ICT-based applications and their role in the Rural Development of India.

Role of MGNREGA in Sustainable Development: Environmental and Social Perspectives

The article examines the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), focusing on its environmental and social impacts for sustainable development in rural India. It highlights the importance of eco-friendly practices and empowerment of marginalized communities, while also identifying challenges and offering policy recommendations to enhance MGNREGA's environmental and social sustainability. Strategies for integrating these considerations into MGNREGA planning and implementation are discussed to ensure effective poverty alleviation and inclusive, sustainable development in rural areas. Further research is recommended to evaluate these strategies and address emerging challenges.

Socioeconomic management by effective implementation of ‘GI’ protection in rural India

The connection between Geographical indications (GIs) and rural development in India are studied in this literature, as are people's opinions toward GIs. Rural development has a long-term impact of GI protection. Reported literature shows that GIs have benefited sustainable rural development in India, but there are still difficulties that need to be addressed, such as a lack of knowledge regarding GI implementation in rural areas. Go Green initiatives in the context of GIs and rural development, fostering environmentally conscious practices for a more sustainable future. Integrating GIs and rural development in India are referred in this study, which focuses on medicinal plants and agricultural approaches.

E-Agriculture And Rural Development In India

E-agriculture, the integration of information and communication technologies (ICTs) into agricultural practices, has emerged as a critical driver of rural development in India. This paper provides an overview of e-agriculture initiatives and their impact on rural communities in the Indian context. It explores key components such as information access, market linkages, financial inclusion, precision farming, skill development, and policy support. Through a comprehensive review of literature and analysis of case studies, this paper highlights the transformative potential of e-agriculture in enhancing agricultural productivity, improving livelihoods, and promoting inclusive growth. It examines the role of digital platforms, mobile applications, and ICT-enabled services in providing farmers with access to crucial information, facilitating market interactions, and enabling financial transactions. Furthermore, this paper identifies challenges such as infrastructural limitations, digital divide, and the need for tailored solutions to address the diverse needs of rural communities. It underscores the importance of policy support, capacity building, and public-private partnerships in fostering the adoption and scalability of e-agriculture initiatives. Overall, this paper underscores the significance of e-agriculture as a catalyst for sustainable rural development in India. It offers insights into the opportunities, challenges, and policy implications associated with harnessing ICTs to transform agriculture and empower rural communities. Through continued research, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration, e-agriculture holds the promise of driving inclusive and resilient growth in India's agrarian landscape. E-agriculture

Data-Driven Clustering and Insights for Rural Development in India

This study aims to reveal the complex socioeconomic structure of Indian villages by utilizing a dataset obtained from several government sources, which includes a wide range of 150 distinct variables. This study intends to uncover the underlying structure of these groups by using powerful data analytics and clustering approaches and further group Indian villages into meaningful clusters by finding socioeconomic differences and geographical details in India's rural landscape. The final research findings suggest a four-cluster strategy as the most insightful solution for providing a more detailed understanding of India's rural regions’ diversity and its specific requirements. By describing the diversity of these clusters, this research study improves the framework for data-driven policy formation and development interventions that address the specific requirements of each group. Finally, this study highlights not only the potential of data-driven techniques in rural development, but also the importance of targeted customized solutions in solving India's rural development challenges.

Role of MSMEs In Rural Development in India

Role of MSMEs In Rural Development in India

Threats and Challenges to Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in India: Implications for Agricultural Extension

Agriculture, rooted in ancient civilizations, has shaped the course of human history. India, currently holding the second global position in farm output, witnesses over 50% of its workforce engaged in agriculture, contributing approximately 17-18% to the GDP in 2018. The agricultural and allied sectors constituted 15.4% of the GDP in 2016. India stands as the largest producer of fresh fruits, including mango, guava, papaya, and lemon, as per FAO 2014 statistics. Moreover, it ranks second globally in the production of dry fruits, textiles, pulses, fish, and vegetables. Cash crops like coffee and cotton have also played a pivotal role, with India ranking fifth in their production in 2010. Undeniably, agriculture is a cornerstone of India's economy. Despite India's prowess as a major exporter, consumer, and advocate of agriculture, the sector grapples with multifaceted challenges, significantly impacting rural development initiatives. Pressing issues include water scarcity, poverty, challenges in natural resource management, and environmental concerns. The complex interplay of factors, such as population growth, lack of information and awareness, limited technological knowledge, and the suboptimal implementation of agricultural programs in rural areas, further compounds these challenges. This article endeavors to meticulously identify the agricultural sector's predicaments, explore viable farm management solutions, and underscore the critical role of effective agricultural extension services in attaining sustainable yields and fostering rural development in the nation.

Sustainable rural development indicators in Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Romania and the Netherlands: a review of data

This study examines indices of sustainable rural development in Bulgaria, Germany, Poland, Romania and the Netherlands. The European Union has consistently supported its policy on sustainable rural development and allocated budgetary funds to provide financial assistance. The energy crisis that followed the outbreak of the Russia–Ukraine conflict prompted the European Union to adopt stricter measures regarding sustainable development and energy. To achieve these objectives, it is crucial to accurately identify regional issues and ensure that the established goals are practical and achievable. Some European Union countries have made significant progress in this direction, while others have yet to do so. Therefore, this study is aimed to examine the differences and difficulties of rural development in selected countries of the European Union through data and literature review methods. In the study, the data on population, GDP per capita, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the economic impact of agriculture, and renewable energy are compared for the countries selected at the rural areas and the data on employment, poverty levels, education and rural digitization are compared. Netherlands and Germany exhibit adherence to the goals of sustainable rural development, while Poland has made progress in several areas towards sustainable rural development. In contrast, according to the study, Bulgaria and Romania require more significant measures to achieve sustainable rural development. Although both countries have some strengths, it is imperative that all relevant parties participate in the process to ensure sustainability. Education is a crucial prerequisite for rural development. However, the percentage of educated individuals in these countries has decreased. Furthermore, it is crucial to provide rural areas with information about digitization and establish the required infrastructure. Moreover, the adoption of smart villages should be considered as a solution, in which all stakeholders can efficiently benefit from education and digitization, and sustainable resources can be developed.

Economic Development in Rural India: Challenges and Opportunities

Economic Development in Rural India: Challenges and Opportunities

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan: An Opportunity to participate in a National Program to Implement &amp; Complement Family Adoption Program for Holistic Rural development

Medical education in India is predominantly based on Theoretical and bedside teaching. A significant reorientation is needed in medical education, to allow students to understand the grass root level social health dynamics. National Medical commission introduced Family Adoption program as a modality to address this issue to be implemented by all medical colleges for all students admitted from academic year 2022 onwards. The Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) is a flagship national program of Government of India for holistic rural development by engaging and enabling higher educational institutions to utilize their expertise for accelerating sustainable growth and development of rural India. The Medical Universities/colleges can participate in Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and utilize its platform for implementation of statutory Family adoption program. We developed a Model where in Health sciences Universities/colleges can leverage their expertise in Health care for benefit of adopted villages and Communities by nurturing their health based on our experience of implementing both Unnat Bharat Abhiyan &amp; Family Adoption Program. We propose various measures in which Health sciences Universities/colleges can implement both programs in sync to complement each other towards common goal of welfare of adopted villages. We believe our model is feasible and can address complementary requirements of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and Family adoption program and benefit all the stakeholders involved.

Statement of Retraction: Community-based Enterprises: A Promising Basis towards an Alternative Entrepreneurial Model for Sustainability Enhancing Livelihoods and Promoting Socio-economic Development in Rural India

Statement of Retraction: Community-based Enterprises: A Promising Basis towards an Alternative Entrepreneurial Model for Sustainability Enhancing Livelihoods and Promoting Socio-economic Development in Rural India

Exploring the Role of Microfinance in Promoting Rural Development in India

Exploring the Role of Microfinance in Promoting Rural Development in India

Monitoring and evaluation of the efficiency of rural development of the united territorial communities of the Vinnytsia region

Balanced development and interaction of types of economic activity form the economic potential of the region and help fill budgets. Improvement of the methodology of diagnostics of the economy of rural development taking into account natural, economic, demographic, social and recreational features is urgent. The purpose of the study was to improve and develop a methodological toolkit for assessing the effectiveness of rural development on the example of united territorial communities of the Vinnytsia region. A number of methods were used in the research process: abstract-logical, comparative analysis, tabular, statistical, calculation-constructive. According to key economic parameters, such as the pace of the Supreme Council of Justice and the volume of production per person, the Vinnytsia region is marked by a relative trend of anticipatory regional development, and the agriculture of the region in 2017- 2021 retains priority positions in the structure of the agro-industrial complex of Ukraine. Analytical monitoring of the positive dynamics of the majority of economic indicators of rural development of the united territorial communities of the Vinnytsia region contributed to the growth of the partial index of the economic component. During 2017-2021, this aggregate indicator increased from 411 to 427 points, or almost 4%. It was established that the partial index of social efficiency of rural development of the united territorial communities of the region decreased by 2.4% (from 107.4 in 2017 to 104.8 points in 2021). The highest value of the index of social efficiency of rural development of united territorial communities was reached in 2017 (107.4), and the lowest in 2020 – 104.0. Calculation partial index environmental efficiency of rural development established a growth of 7.3% (from 17.2 in 2017 to 18.5 in 2021). The calculation and analytical measurement of the aggregate integral indicator of the effectiveness of rural development of the united territorial communities revealed a slight growth trend – from 91.2 in 2017 to 93.9 points in 2021, which does not exceed 3%. The practical significance of the conducted research is determined by the improvement of the toolkit and the development of a methodical algorithm for determining the integral indicator of the effectiveness of rural development of united territorial communities, which can be useful in the regional management practice of organizing monitoring and developing directions for the development of rural areas

Determination of Current Status of The Criteria and Indicators Used in Rural Development Studies: The Case of Isparta Villages

Rural development is the work aimed at improving rural local conditions that bring negative effects to human life. In rural development studies, the problems of rural communities are identified and defined, and suitable solutions are developed according to these problems. The problems encountered in rural development are determined within the framework of rural development indicators and the criteria that these indicators reflect. In this study, criteria and indicators that were used in the past in rural development practices and that should be added today have been determined. The study was carried out based on the villages of Isparta Province. According to the results of the research, it was determined that 4 social criteria and 38 indicators, 7 economic criteria and 32 indicators, 4 political criteria and 16 indicators, 4 environmental criteria and 15 indicators were used in rural development studies in the past. For today's rural development studies, 8 social criteria and 36 indicators, 6 economic criteria and 35 indicators, 6 political criteria and 21 indicators, 6 environmental criteria and 28 indicators have been determined.

Rural Dynamics in India A Study of Inclusive Growth and Infrastructure Developments

Rural development in India is the overall progress in the economic and social conditions of Indians residing in rural areas. Over fifty percent of the people who live in India, the second most populous nation in the world, reside in rural areas. This causes the country to have a high rate of unemployment, an inadequate standard of living, inadequate productive skills, and malnutrition. Rural development has always been a crucial concern for the economic development of developing nations, especially India. The primary tools for the development of the nation's rural areas are the rural development programs. Given that we are aware of the challenges that rural residents have faced from the beginning of time, the moment has come to provide them their justifiable rights. India cannot shine without the rural areas of India shining. Rural and national development are essentially interchangeable terms. With a focus on the vulnerable population's changing lives, this article attempts to assess real performance as well as government endeavors to hasten rural development in India through rural development programs.

Transitions towards Sustainable and Resilient Rural Areas in Revitalising India: A Framework for Localising SDGs at Gram Panchayat Level

Twenty-first century rural development (RD) demands a new paradigm of sustainability capable of addressing the difficulties and leveraging on the possibilities, such as climate change, demographic shift, international competitiveness, and rapid technological progress. Amidst these challenges, it is necessary to have a guiding framework from a long-term perspective that aids the integration of current RD policies while allowing space for location and community-specific innovations for implementing sustainable and resilient development strategies. India has witnessed several schemes and programmes for RD with exclusive objectives, varied focus areas, and separate domains, resulting in compartmentalisation in policy frameworks and disjointed implementation. Such initiatives were also often ideated from an urban perspective when it came to peri-urban rural areas or offered a generalist rural perspective (when referring to other rural regions, including those nested in ecological zones, thereby disregarding their local relevance). Accordingly, this study proposes a synchronised SMART village framework to tailor existing RD approaches for sustainable transformations aligned with the sustainable development goals and with a possibility of scaling its applicability in the local context. We initially conducted a bibliometric analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the emerging transformative approaches to RD, such as smart village (SV). Though in its nascent stage, the SV initiatives in India primarily envision information and communication technology enabled transformations in rural areas, often forcing villages to establish the relevance of such interventions. The study recognises key challenges to RD in India by using the problem tree analysis and further defines a SMART village framework that can be catalytic in transforming rural areas towards a sustainable and resilient state.

Study of environmental safety and economic efficiency of digestate as biofertilizer

The conducted research is dedicated to: the importance of rational use of natural resources due to effective waste management; formation of the concept of a resource-saving agro-industrial complex due to the development and implementation of bio-organic technologies for growing agricultural crops for the production of biofuels from agro-biomass and animal husbandry waste; ensuring the energy independence of the industry and forming the country’s food security. The improved mechanism for the introduction of ecological innovations will contribute to: increasing the economic efficiency of the agricultural sector as a key factor of positive changes in order to find new, more effective and perfect implementations of ecological innovations in the development of food security of the state; reducing the impact of anthropogenic human activity on the surrounding natural environment and improving the socio-economic indicators of rural development. It was determined that the digestate contains a significant amount of mineral elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium). In terms of speed of action (absorption of elements by plants), it resembles mineral fertilizers, since the elements N, P and K are easily available to plants. It was established that calculations of the cost of organic fertilizers based on cow dung, as well as digestate, which is obtained from a bioreactor during biogas production, showed that the monetary expression of organic-mineralized environmentally friendly fertilizer, which is obtained after fermentation processes from a biogas reactor, based on digestate, is worth to form by adding up the value of the nutritional chemical elements from which it is composed. Authors of the article Honcharuk I.V., Pantsyreva H.V. and Vovk V. are executors of applied research on the topic “Development of bio-organic technologies for growing agricultural crops for the production of biofuels and ensuring energy independence of the agricultural sector” (state registration number 0123U100311).