The latest report from the Washington DC-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) outlines rural revitalization as the key theme for 2019. The focus on rural areas comes with an understanding of their current crisis state, highlighted by persistent hunger, malnutrition, poverty, limited economic opportunities, and environmental degradation. This crisis threatens to hinder progress on Sustainable Development Goals and global climate targets. With rural communities accounting for over a third of the global population and suffering from the brunt of climate change impacts, their revitalization is crucial.
The State of Crisis in Rural Areas
Worldwide, rural areas are home to over 45.3% of the world’s total population. Yet, more than 70% of the world’s poorest populations reside in these regions. They experience a cycle of deepening poverty and malnutrition due to rapid population growth rates, inadequate job creation, underdeveloped infrastructure, and scarce financial services. Climate change also disproportionately affects these areas, exacerbating their problems.
Rural Youth and Unemployment
Nearly half of all rural youth worldwide suffer from either unemployment or underemployment, lacking any formal jobs. This situation exacerbates the socioeconomic challenges experienced in these areas.
The Significance of Rural Revitalization
Rural revitalization is vital for the elimination of hunger and malnutrition. Urbanization, demographic transitions, increasing income, and the growing integration of food supply chains and systems – particularly in India – present new opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment in rural areas.
Challenges in Rural India
India faces unique challenges in its efforts towards rural transformations, due to climate change, land degradation risks, declining soil quality, and biodiversity loss. These factors potentially slow down rural development in the country.
| Country | Rural Population (%) | Poverty Rate (%) in Rural Areas | Unemployment Rate (%) in Rural Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 65.6 | 25.7 | 5.3 |
| World | 45.3 | >70 | Varies |
Indian Measures for Rural Development
The government of India is making efforts to revitalize the rural economy. One such measure is the introduction of Minimum Support Prices for major crops, set at 1.5 times their production costs. The government also plans to upgrade 22,000 rural haats (local informal markets) to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), and improve agri-marketing infrastructure, stimulating rural entrepreneurial growth.
