ARD 321: RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Md. Ektear Uddin

Assistant Professor

Concept of Development and Rural Development

Rural development has attained disciplinary or semi-disciplinary status incorporating the following sub areas:

Development economicsApplied anthropologyUnderdevelopment theoryRural sociologyInternational agricultureNon formal education Development administrationUrbanization and modernizationRural and regional planningTechnology transfer

Concept of Development

The term development connotes growth or maturation.

MacIver uses the word ‘Development’ to signify an upward course in a process “that is, of increasing differentiation”.

It implies gradual or sequential phases of changes.

Development = Growth + change

Development

Gradual advancement or growth through a series of progressive changes.

Conventionally, visible economic uplifting is known as development.

Development

The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) defined Development as “What we all do”. What we have been doing to meet our needs as well as to change our lot or upgrading our living standards may be called development.

According to Lale (1975) the term development is a process of improving standards of the masses of the low income population residing in rural areas making the process of rural development self-sustaining.

Sustainable Development

WCED defined sustainable development as “The development that ensures preservation and enhancement of environmental quality, sound and sustainable use of natural resources thereby providing for economic growth which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own need.”

Rural Development

Rural development means an improvement in the quality of life of the rural people. It is a package of economic and social activities within the ultimate objectives of upgrading the living conditions of the rural poor.

Rural Development

The UNESCO defines the goals, objectives and the aims of development to be: “not to develop things but to develop men”.

It states that “development must be aimed at spiritual, moral and material advancement of the whole human being, both as a member of society and from the point of view of individual fulfillment”.

Rural Development

The term rural development encompasses the whole range of institutional, social, economical, political and technical interventions made by the government and non-government agencies.

It generally means increasing the living standards (through agricultural production, health and nutrition, education, infrastructure) for the rural people.

Rural Development

A common definition is, The gradual reduction of disparity between the rural and urban areas and ensuring the smooth, unhindered, faster supplies and services for the disadvantaged sections of people living therein to improve the standards of living to a measurable extent” as committed in the Constitutions.

Indicators of Rural Development

Change in rural productivity, which is reflected in per hectare yield, Changes in the extent of employment, unemployment and under-employment. Changes in the distribution of wealth, income and other amenities. Changes in the sociopolitical structure, which is reflected in changes in the

extent of influences of rural people at the village, area and national level decision making processes.

Changes in the degree and extent of mobility in the class structure of the rural community reflected in allocations of positions of prestige, power and status on the basis of achievement.

Change in the beliefs, values, attitudes in favour of controlling the larger environment towards modern values from traditional ones are considered

favourable.

Aim of Rural Development

Rural development aims at improvement of the quality of life of the rural people especially those who are of various categories

Scope of Rural Development

Environment: Land, water, air Physical infrastructure: Roads, waterway, irrigation channels,

embankment, housing, sanitation, and electricity etc. People: Education and training, health, population control etc. Economic: Agriculture, fisheries, livestock, horticulture, trade

and commerce, banking, rural industries. Welfare activities: Relief, recreation, culture, old age security

etc.

Conclusion: develop men, then things

-GDP/GNP/national average is not appropriate indicator of development.

-improving the living standard of disadvantaged section of the society up to a visible and measurable point is Development.

-Accordingly, development of living standard of the rural people is Rural Development.

Questions?

What is Development?

What is sustainable Development?

Bibliography

1. Dahama, O. P. and O. P. Bhatnagar. 1980. Education and Communication for Development, 2nd Edn. New Delhi: Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. PVT. LTD.

2. Dubey, V. K and I. Bishnoi. 2008. Extension Education and Communication, 1st edn. New Delhi: new Age International Publishers.

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