The Core Issue

It is a proven fact that most ancient civilizations which flourished grew around fertile river banks. And the primary reason was the fertility of the land and source of transport and communication. All these inhibited areas became centers of growth and progress because of the increase output in agriculture production. But it is the most overlooked and undermined with regard to its contribution towards the history of human civilization.

There are many concepts, initiatives and models for economic development but in fact there is only the agriculture and allied sectors which defines and determines the stability of economic development. It is as simple as a home. When the problem of running the kitchen is solved then we begin to see change in the lifestyle of a family. The first and foremost problem any family faces to solve is to feed themselves. Societies, nations also has this same problem. Of course the returns of industrialization are manifold and may sustain an economy but it is a victim of time and circumstances. The economy is not resilient and cannot withstand by itself the effects of economic downturns of other economies.

The focus should always be the agricultural sector. The rural areas are the core centers of economic development and the robust foundations of a resilient economy therefore without as much as complicating and confusing ourselves with technicalities, concentrated effort for developing agriculture and agro based industries will prove to be the most effective and efficient economic model.
AARON KIKON

The local economy

Rural development should inculcate the principle of adaptive evolution according to the demand of a given environment. That is, development should be based on strategically improving the economy by improvising the existing system of practices prevalent among the rural people. Development should focus on the evolved practices as a resource of change and development. People and cultures are very important aspect and they cannot be overlooked. Today must be planned for a brighter tomorrow without destroying the heritages of yesteryears. Therefore along with systematic planning and utilisation of the physical resources it will be very important to improvise the socio-cultural heritage of the people and integrating it with the subsistence economy for proper socio-economic development.
The focus of planners of rural development should be to evolve from agro based products for catering to the demand of the local populace for self sustenance and self reliance. This way the market demand for the product will be constant and a durable asset will be created. Gradually the productions can be increased to cater to large scale demands and ventures can be undertaken to commercial crops.
*material extract from soon to be published work.
AARON KIKON

Rural Development

There are no universally accepted approaches or models to rural development because what may be applicable to one place may not be so in the other areas. Therefore when dealing with rural development it is very essential to take into account the socio- cultural aspect too. Many factors like cultures, physical landscapes, lifestyles and habits etc are at play in influencing the socio economic life of the people. Rural development do not necessarily denote industrialisation. In fact It is a comprehensive approach to develop the rural areas by integrating the social, cultural and subsistence economy of the people with increase output in production, human resource development, infrastructural facilities, use of advance technology, institutionalization and to facilitate change in the life of the rural poor.

When we talk about rural development we are actually focusing on eradication of poverty, raising the standard of living and capacity building of the rural poor. Therefore in this aspect rural development stresses on development of the physical factor, human resource as well as social infrastructure of the targeted group in order to advance the rural economy. Rural Development seeks to directly influence and contribute to employment generation and asset creation.

The key areas of focus of Rural Development are road connectivity, electricity, telecommunication as well as information technology, irrigation, food storage and processing units, market, health and education, water and sanitation, veterinary services and co-operative units which are essential for upliftment and development of the socio-economic life of the rural poor.
AARON KIKON