Rapid agriculture growth and rapid rural employment growth were always the focus of India’s policy makers. But despite the efforts of the Government since independence a large proportion in rural India lives below poverty line.
Schemes introduced by Government to improve Rural Income:
In Agriculture sector following programs have been introduced:
- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
- Minimum Support Price
- Income support scheme: Telangana, Madhya Pradesh etc.
- E-Nam
- SAMPADA scheme
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission
- Krishi Vigyan Kendra
- Mera goan-Mera Gaurav
- Paramparaghat Krishi Vikas Yojana
- Pradhan mantra Krishi Sinchai Yojana
Employment generation Initiatives to support Income generation:
- MGNREGA
- Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushal Yojana
- Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Program
- Mudra Yojana
- Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission
Agriculture sector shares the burden of more than 57% percent to population; it is time for government to help reduce the dependence of rural masses on agriculture to help improve the overall income of the rural population:
Aquaculture: It has huge potential in terms of demand and price in market.
Animal Husbandry: With improvement in Standard of living and lifestyle, need for high
protein and Meat is increasing. This can be a right moment to shift from Crops to Livestock
farming. Also Demand for Indian breed of Cows and Buffalo is high in Western countries.
Mixed Farming: Government can introduced programs keeping in mind Mixed farming.
Agro-Forestry: Increase in Urbanization, increases demand for timber which will ultimately
increase prices and income for Rural India.
Apiculture: With increasing awareness about healthy food, Honey cultivation as a side
business can help in increasing income.
Dairy: India has a rich tradition for consuming Dairy products as part of their daily food
habits. Also demand for dairy products is on rise across globe.
Horticulture: Truck Farming can be route to earn high income in short duration.
Micro & Small scale industries: Like Agarbatti making, Basket making, Carpet weaving can encourage women and marginal group to increase their livelihood. India has rich tradition in Carpet weaving, Basket Making etc this can be exploited.
Tourism: On lines of Wine tourism in Nashik, Rice tourism, Sugarcane tourism has huge potential and it can be developed. Government has planned to take Mahua drink across India same way Rice based Desi Liquor can also be promoted.
Renewable Energy generation: Like solar, Wind, Biogas plants can be installed that can fetch extra income and agriculture can still be undertaken.