The development of rural India is imperative for inclusive and equitable growth, as well as to unlock the huge potential of a population that is presently trapped in poverty. The root cause of social insecurity in India is poverty and that is largely due to lack of adequate or productive employment opportunities. Agricultural growth is crucial for alleviating rural poverty. Similarly, development of rural industries is the key to rural development. These industries are generally artisan-based, located mostly in rural and semi-urban areas. Rural credit is another significant component of rural development strategy. Access to institutional credit to more farmers and appropriate quantity and quality of agricultural credit are crucial for realizing the full potential of agriculture as a profitable activity. This book examines the various aspects of rural development in India with focus on rural poverty.

This volume sets out a strategy for raising rural incomes which emphasises the creation of diversified rural economies with opportunities within and outside agriculture.

This Book Will Help Development Planners, Development Administrators And Local Leaders Of Non-Governmental Organisations Engaged In The Task Of Rural Development Academicians And Students Of Rural Poverty Studies And All Those Who Are Moved By The Bane Of Poverty In The Country.

This Book Provides A Holistic View Of The Issues Related To Poverty, Allieviation And Rural Poor. With The Qualities Of Ground Realities That Could Be Observed In The Analysis Of The Book, It Will Serve As A Sound Basis To Initiate Remedial Measures.

Poverty is an age old malaise. Is it caused by economic inefficiency, or due to social and political exclusions?

This book provides a blueprint for the allocation of public expenditures “in” and “for” agriculture at the dis-aggregated state level and suggests a reorientation in favour of disadvantaged regions where the marginal returns on additional investments would be higher. It provides insights into the inter-linkages between public expenditures, private investment, rural poverty, and agriculture productivity from a regional perspective to reflect upon spatial differences in the welfare effects of various investments, subsidies, and policies. The book focuses on agricultural growth and rural poverty reduction through public and private investments, non-farm employment, and other pathways to the formulation of appropriate policies at the dis-aggregated state level. It presents new evidence based on advanced econometric tools for analysing and understanding the relationship between public and private investments in agriculture and input subsidies (fertilizer, power, irrigation, and credit) together with their impacts at the dis-aggregated state level. The book also deliberates on an income based direct support system for farmers as an alternative to the existing input price subsidy regime. Accordingly, the book offers valuable insights not only for researchers working on poverty alleviation, rural economy, and agricultural growth, but also for policymakers.