Discuss the causes of rural poverty. Discuss the ways to alleviate rural poverty.
Discuss the causes of rural poverty. Discuss the ways to alleviate rural poverty.
Discuss the causes of rural poverty.
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Rural Poverty :-
Villages are one of the main parts of Indian public life. Even today, villages account for 74 - 80 percent of the total geographical area of India. About 40 percent of India's national income comes from agriculture. 70 percent of the people are directly or indirectly associated with agriculture. However, about 50% of the people in rural public life live below the poverty line. The main reason for this is that about 70% of agricultural land is owned by only 12% of the farmers. As a result, the number of landless farmers is high - which is one of the reasons for the increase in rural poverty. Even in the agriculturally rich Punjab - Haryana region, about 30% of the people live below the poverty line.
Causes of rural poverty:-
1. Although many measures have been taken by the government to eradicate rural poverty, they are not sufficient compared to the need and various irregularities can be observed in their implementation. As a result, despite the goodwill of the government, rural poverty eradication programs have not brought any significant change in the field of rural poverty.
2. A large section of rural farmers are landless. Statistics show that about 70 percent of the total agricultural land is owned by only 12 percent of farmers. As a result, although India is self-sufficient in agriculture, most farmers cannot earn the necessary money for their livelihood from agriculture.
3. Climatic adversity is one of the reasons for the increase in rural poverty in India. There are many states where there is no regular rainfall or it is much less than required. Lack of sufficient rainfall directly affects the agricultural sector.
4. Electricity connection is still not established in many villages in India. Again, there are many villages where electricity connection is established, but it is not properly operated or it is not sufficient compared to the need. On the other hand, electricity connection is essential for agricultural production. As a result, agricultural production is hampered due to lack of electricity in many villages and rural poverty increases.
5. Lack of modern and advanced machinery in agriculture hampers agricultural production. Even today, technology is not used in most of the lands in India. Due to the financial hardship of farmers, they fail to purchase modern technology machinery.
6. Lack of alternative agriculture is another significant reason for rural poverty in India. Indian agriculture is completely dependent on land. But as an alternative, poultry farming, fish farming, floriculture, etc. have not been started widely.
7. The role of financial institutions in rural industries and agriculture is not satisfactory. In most cases, there is a problem in getting loans from banks. In addition, farmers are directly affected due to high interest rates.
8. The rural community has always lagged behind in terms of literacy. The literacy rate of women in particular is very low in the rural community. Due to the significantly low literacy rate, they do not have employment opportunities in sectors other than agriculture. This is also a reason for rural poverty.
9. The semi-feudal system still exists in Indian villages. In this type of system, poor farmers are always exploited. The condition of rural farmers has become miserable due to the usurious moneylenders, commodity brokers, etc. communities.
10. In addition, various natural disasters - drought, flood, excessive rainfall; excessive dependence on monsoon winds; inadequate health services, fanaticism, superstition, narrow-mindedness, traditional views, caste politics, oppression and exploitation by landlords - etc. have kept Indian villages backward and created an environment conducive to the development of poverty.
Ways to eliminate rural poverty:-
(a) Expansion of rural handicrafts and cottage industries and provision of training and credit by the government for this.
(b) Establishment of effective electricity connections in every village with the aim of developing industry and agriculture.
(c) Encouragement of alternative agricultural production and provision of training.
(d) Expansion of overall literacy; especially emphasis on women's education.
(e) Giving a more integrated form to rural poverty alleviation programs and implementing them scientifically in the field.
(f) Identifying helpless families living below the poverty line and taking special programs to alleviate their poverty.
(g) Rural communication system, drinking water, education - health, etc. should be improved through Panchayats.
(h) Awareness should be created among the rural people to make poverty alleviation programs people-oriented.
(i) Special attention should be paid to the overall nutrition and health of mothers and children by improving health services.
(j) Alternative employment opportunities other than agriculture should be created.
(k) Corruption-free Panchayat and administrative system should be developed.
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