Mahatma Gandhi always stated the soul of India lives in villages. Rural areas are blessed with several important natural resources. Rural development and empowerment are some of the important areas of the sustainable development process. Sustainable development in rural areas majorly focuses on the growth and development of the people living in a rural area by promoting the measures of effective usage of natural resources. It also includes the protection and enhancement of natural biodiversity. At the social ripples, Dr. Lopamudra Priyadarshini with her mission towards sustainable development advocates that most of the natural diversity that includes agriculture and forestry should be the main focus of rural development and empowerment, whereas other areas of development such as education and good health and well-being sanitation, etc. also should be empowered.
Rural development
Rural development refers to the process of development that emphasizes improving the quality of life of people by providing the ways to live their life sustainably by promoting measures that will help them to have economic stability in their life.
Despite various measures and schemes promoted by government and organizations, it is seen the people living in rural areas and remote areas are far away from civilization. They are still living with the orthodox living standards, and economic life is still below the poverty line. Unemployment in rural areas is a concern for development. Hence, rural development and empowerment need a strategic path of development that accelerates production and productivity, better socio-economic activity, aspiration, balance in social and economic development.
The farmers in the rural areas are still not introduced to the innovative and dynamic methods of agriculture. It is because they are far away from civilization and unaware of newer technologies. The infrastructure of rural areas is not allowing them or making it difficult for them to connect to the latest technology and innovations. Introduction to dynamic, vibrant, and sustainable agriculture can help them to be economically stable. Rural development and empowerment have a maximum emphasis on agriculture as the world's population is increasing, and the need for food is also increasing day by day.
Agricultural activities are dependent on the environment and climate changes. When we are talking about rural development and empowerment, we need to have shifted attention towards various areas of growth and development along with agriculture. The other areas of focus are as follows:
• Public health safety and sanitation measures
• Education
• Promoting poverty eradication methods
• Female empowerment and gender diversity
• Employment opportunities
• Encouraging entrepreneurship among small-scale farmers and indigenous people
• Infrastructure development like irrigation and electricity, etc.
• Promote sustainable forest management
All the above-stated measures will improve the economic well being of the people in rural areas. Affordable or free education is a critical part of rural development. It will promote employability. If education will not be affordable, then children will be forced to do agricultural work and will not have equal opportunities to get employment. At the social ripples, they advocate that rural development and empowerment foster improving quality of life in rural areas covering economic, cultural, social, and political components of development. Along with a complete understanding of rural development, it is equally important to understand that when we are in the process of achieving rural development and empowerment goals, care is needed to be taken that the face of the rural area does not change. Also, measures should be taken by the urban areas to learn to live an environmentally friendly life.
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