Words Saroj Mahapatra
With economic recovery underway, the focus from a rural development perspective deserves a shift towards addressing key areas like livelihoods, gender equality, climate action, nutrition and healthcare boosting the local economy, and leading to prosperity and resilience of underserved communities.
In terms of remunerative livelihoods, sustainable agriculture which forms the backbone of the economy needs renewed focus. It is crucial to increase allocations towards sustainable irrigation measures, crop insurance, and market linkages to support small and marginal farmers. Promoting Women Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can empower women in agriculture, enhance incomes, and improve sustainable farming practices. Strengthening agri-tech adoption and providing access to credit for women-led FPOs are vital steps to unlock their potential in rural economies.
Five key areas which need improvement in 2025 are:
Unleashing ignored potentials of tribal population: Targeted investment to help unleash the hitherto ignored potentials of India’s tribal population is key to achieving inclusive and sustainable development. Targeted investments are required to create sustainable avenues for enhanced income and well-being for lakhs of tribal families residing in the country’s hinterland. By promoting micro-entrepreneurship, advanced agricultural techniques, skill development programs, and special programs for this segment, challenges faced by tribal youth can be addressed, who often struggle to find sustainable employment within their communities.
Enhancing women’s participation in agriculture: Just as the Agriculture Accelerator Fund supports agri-startups, there is a dire need to fund women farmers and cultivators. Training programs to promote sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices should be designed to accommodate women farmers, encouraging greater accessibility and inclusion. Training programs related to finance management, advanced agricultural techniques, and entrepreneurship programs are required to upskill women effectively. Over the years, PRADAN’s persistent efforts around these aspects have facilitated the economic empowerment of women farmers, many of whom have already become successful entrepreneurs and ‘Lakhpati Didis’.
Creating women-led Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs): FPOs, supported by development agencies, Self Help Groups (SHG) and government stakeholders, have been instrumental in mobilizing women farmers. Promoting women-led FPOs can empower women in agriculture, enhance incomes, and improve sustainable farming practices. The importance of FPOs in the realm of doubling farmers’ income has been witnessed by recent announcements like FPO credit in the Priority Sector, five-year tax breaks, and the central government scheme to promote 10,000 FPOs. The FPOs have also been instrumental in realizing the revised target of the Lakhpati Didi initiative, which has been increased from two crore to three crore women. Strengthening agri-tech adoption and providing access to credit for women-led FPOs, and investment in value chains are vital steps to unlocking their potential in rural economies.
Focusing on climate action initiatives: Issues related to climate change need to be addressed on priority. India is facing incidences of erratic rainfall, increases in temperature, and floods across the country. The rural livelihood options, especially food production, are completely weather dependent and spells of water scarcity, cyclones, landslides, and heavy rainfalls, over the past 3-4 years have created massive disruptions to agriculture. These events have highlighted the importance of the conservation of land and water resources through Integrated Natural resources, management approaches adoption of climate-resilient and indigenous crop practices, natural farming, and regenerative farming much more than ever before.
Driving financial inclusion: There is a pressing need to create more financial inclusion for people in the rural areas of India. In addition to the high-impact government initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and issue of RuPay cards, amongst others; there is a rising need to activate financial inclusion using the robust networks of SHGs and village organisations promoted by the DAY-NRLM. Women’s entrenched identity as farmers will further give them access to institutional credit, Kisan credit cards.
To top it all, education and vocational training aligned with market needs can enhance employability and economic mobility. Creating a self-sustaining ecosystem is the key to catering to the evolving aspirations of newer generations for shaping the Viksit Bharat, 2047. There is a need to address digital and infrastructural gaps. Inclusive growth, driven by the active participation of underserved communities is essential to ensure that no one is left behind and 6,40,000 villages in India become coveted places to live in. With the acceleration of these initiatives, development agencies can drive inclusive development in rural India equally focusing on ecology, economy and equity.
About the Author
Saroj Mahapatra, Executive Director at Professional Assistance For Development Action (PRADAN).
(India CSR)
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