Rural development in India
Short Questions
1. What is the primary focus of rural development in India?
Answer: To improve the quality of life and economic well-being of rural people.
2. What percentage of India’s population lived in rural areas according to the 2011 census?
Answer: 68.8% (83.25 crores).
3. Name one key aspect of agricultural mechanization in rural development.
Answer: Use of high-yielding seeds.
4. What is the role of NABARD in rural development?
Answer: It provides finance for agriculture and rural development as an apex institution.
5. What is short-term agricultural credit used for?
Answer: For purchasing fertilizers, HYV seeds, or meeting social expenses.
6. Which sector includes activities like dairy and horticulture?
Answer: Allied agricultural sector.
7. What is a major benefit of rural infrastructure development?
Answer: Improved road connectivity and irrigation facilities.
8. Why are small farmers unable to access bank credit easily?
Answer: Due to high transaction costs and borrower-unfriendly procedures.
9. What is the purpose of productive agricultural loans?
Answer: To support agricultural production, like buying tractors or seeds.
10. How does rural development help in women empowerment?
Answer: By reducing gender disparity and encouraging participation in community programs.
Long Questions
1. Explain the significance of public health and sanitation in rural development.
Answer: Rural development improves sanitation, provides safe drinking water, and ensures affordable health facilities. These efforts enhance the quality of life, reduce diseases, and promote hygiene among rural populations, contributing to overall well-being.
2. How does rural development facilitate literacy improvement in rural areas?
Answer: Rural development bridges the literacy gap by providing educational facilities at all levels. It promotes socio-economic change through increased access to schools and technical education, uplifting rural communities and reducing urban-rural disparities.
3. What is the role of land reforms in rural development?
Answer: Land reforms, such as regulating rent and protecting tenancy rights, reduce rural inequality. They ensure equitable land distribution, empower small farmers, and promote agricultural productivity, fostering economic stability in rural areas.
4. Discuss the importance of agricultural credit in rural development.
Answer: Agricultural credit supports farmers by financing farming activities like buying seeds or equipment. It boosts productivity, improves income, and reduces dependence on high-interest moneylenders, contributing to economic growth in rural areas.
5. How do non-institutional sources of credit impact rural farmers?
Answer: Non-institutional sources like moneylenders charge high interest and demand collateral, burdening farmers. This often leads to debt traps, limiting their ability to invest in productive activities and hindering rural economic progress.
6. What is the structure of short-term rural co-operative credit institutions in India?
Answer: Short-term rural co-operative credit institutions operate on a three-tier structure: Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) at the village level, District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCB), and State Co-operative Banks (SCB) at the state level.
7. How does rural development contribute to poverty eradication?
Answer: Rural development increases rural incomes through better agricultural and non-agricultural opportunities. Improved infrastructure, credit access, and skill development elevate living standards, reducing poverty and enhancing economic stability in rural areas.
8. Explain the role of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in rural development.
Answer: RRBs, established under the RRB Act 1976, cater to rural poor by providing low-cost credit. Combining the discipline of commercial banks with the accessibility of co-operatives, they support small farmers and rural industries effectively.
9. What measures are suggested to strengthen rural development through governance?
Answer: Strengthening the Panchayati Raj system and adopting lessons from successful ‘Model Villages’ ensure effective governance. Decentralization empowers local communities, enabling marginalized groups to participate in decision-making for sustainable rural development.
10. Describe the classification of agricultural credit based on tenure.
Answer: Agricultural credit is classified into short-term (up to 2 years for fertilizers, seeds), medium-term (up to 5 years for cattle, equipment), and long-term (over 5 years for tractors, land improvements), addressing varied farmer needs.
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