In the dynamics of the rural India , infrastructural, technological,
managerial and attitudinal changes are constantly taking place. In many
parts of the country the dynamism of the farmer together with
supportive policies and technological changes have radically altered
the rural economy. On the other hand, there is also a stark fact that
in extensive areas, there exists a weak and emaciated form of
agriculture with peasantry still struggling. Agriculture in rain fed
conditions continuous to be unstable. Farmers in many parts of the
country are still operating under unsecured and unrecorded tenancy
arrangements and declining farm size as a result of land fragmentation
and proliferation of concealed tendencies will continue to put downward
pressure on land productivity.
On the positive front, new high demand sub-sectors are emerging in
areas of horticulture live stock and dairying, fisheries, poultry and
forestry. The hitherto neglected areas of processing storage,
transportation and marketing of agricultural produce is witnessing a
surge of investments from private corporate houses. The task of
doubling the agricultural credit in three years (2003-2006) has been
creditably achieved. Growth of Micro Credit Sector has helped in
increasing the reach of financial institutions and imparting vibrancy
to the rural economic scenario with special focus on emergency of women
as agents of development.
In coming future the economy and institutions in rural areas would
be acting and reacting with each other to reinforce each other
strength. Focus of NABARD would be to highlight such expectations of
the economy of the area, strengths of agricultural credit institutions
and the hopes of the people on which credit institutions impinge. |
