Constraint / Problems in Rural Development:: 1. Poverty

Constraint / Problems in Rural Development:
There are several problems encountered by our rural society. These problems or constraints have to
be removed in order to increase the speed of rural development.
i. Most people are illiterate for such people extension teaching methods like Demonstrations,
individual and group approaches, Training classes require large number of extension workers.
ii. Inadequate communication channels especially Mass Media in rural areas.
iii. Limitation of Funds and staff for training the farmers.
iv. As a traditional society with old ways and practices does not want to take risk unless they see the
results.
v. In an illiterate traditional society real leadership could not come forward.
vi. Communities and individuals differ in their needs as their circumstances change.
vii. Organizational constraints.
viii. Vaguely framed objectives of organization.
Some major problems are as follows:
1. Poverty:
Poverty is considered to be one of the major hurdles in the path of development. Poverty refers to a
level of living so low that it prevents normal development of human personality-physical, mental and
social. According to Planning Commission, 21.1% people (estimated) in rural areas of our country
were living Below the Poverty Line in 2007. There are different indicators of poverty which includes
roads and communication facilities, primary schools, health care facilities, fair price shops, drinking
water facility, electrification, marketing facilities etc. Non-existence of any one of these indicates the
extent of poverty in an area. Eradication of extreme poverty is also one of the millennium
development goals of the UN.
2. Illiteracy:
Education is the key to development. However, much have to be done to attain 100 per cent
literacy. According to 2001 census, literacy rate in rural India is only 59.40 %. In line with the efforts
of UN, there is a need to ensure that by 2015, all children must have to receive full primary
education.
3. Small Landholdings:
With the increase of population, the land, one of the major factors of production, is becoming a
scarce commodity. As per National Sample Survey (2002-03), the average land holding in India was
1.06 ha only and marginal holdings (of size 1 hectare or less) in 2002-03 constituted 70% of all
operational holdings. The experts are of the opinion that use of agricultural technology in small
landholdings is very difficult. Therefore, need of the hour is to evolve modalities for development of
appropriate technology suitable for small holdings.
4. Malnutrition and Starvation:

It is closely linked with the issue of extreme poverty as well as mass awareness. The infant mortality
rate (under-1) was 54% in 2007. Moreover, in some areas of the country, due to several natural
disasters, deaths out of starvation and malnutrition are still reported. Sometimes, due to lack
knowledge of balanced diet, people suffer from various ailments.
5. Ill-Health:
Due to lack of proper health care facilities and education, people of the country are suffering from
various diseases. Child mortality and greater number of maternal death are also creating major
threats to development in the country.
6. Ignorance and Lack of Scientific Temperament:

The issue related to lack of scientific temperament is closely associated with proper education.
There is a need to make people aware about scientific phenomena behind health and sanitary
problem and also to fight against all kinds of evils in the society.
7. Caste System:
Existence of the caste system also sometimes acts as a bottleneck in the process of development.
The problems of the people belonging to lower caste need to be solved so as to bring them into the
mainstream. Special provisions are made in the constitution of India to uplift them to higher
position.
8. Communication and Transportation:

Even after sixty two years of independence, the communication and transport system of the country
are not up to the mark. However, these two are equally important to speed up agricultural
development. Though our country is marching ahead in modem information technology and
communication network, many villages are yet to be connected by telephone booth and even post
offices. The conditions of the rural as well as urban roads are also deplorable which are very
important for movement and products of goods for marketing from rural to urban areas and vice -
versa.
9. Exploitation by Vested Interest Groups:

The very existence of old Jamindari system is though not available, rural people are still in the grip of
money lenders, mahajans, middlemen and also local level politicians. Due to poverty, lack of
education and some other socio-political issues, rural people are exploited by these groups.
10. Gender Inequality:

Women are still not represented to a great extent in local as well national decision making bodies.
Efforts are being made in this regard so that they can take active role in development process.
Thus, it can be concluded that much is to be done yet many things to bring rural development in true
sense. The problems of the small farmers, tenants and landless labourers have to be addressed
properly by implementing several programmes with a view to improving the quality of their life.

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Constraint / Problems in Rural Development:: 1. Poverty

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Constraint / Problems in Rural Development:

ii. Inadequate communication channels especially Mass Media in rural areas.

iii. Limitation of Funds and staff for training the farmers.

v. In an illiterate traditional society real leadership could not come forward.

vii. Organizational constraints.

viii. Vaguely framed objectives of organization.

Some major problems are as follows:

4. Malnutrition and Starvation:

6. Ignorance and Lack of Scientific Temperament:

8. Communication and Transportation:

9. Exploitation by Vested Interest Groups:

10. Gender Inequality:

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