How to create more jobs in rural areas?

Rural areas are the backbone of Indian economy. India, primarily an agricultural country, depends more on farm produce to boost its status in the world economy. However, the employment opportunities in the rural areas still remain poor.

Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, many people living in urban areas have lost their jobs and returned to rural areas. Now, many people are on the verge of falling into poverty due to lack of work in rural areas. For this reason, the issue of employment opportunities in rural areas is once again highlighted

present situation:

About 70% of the workforce lives in rural areas of India. As most of the employment opportunities are concentrated in urban areas, people are migrating from villages to cities to make a living, resulting in higher population density in urban areas. This is causing slums, poor living conditions, high rents, and cost of living. In March 2020, the unemployment rate in India was 8.4%. But the COVID-19 epidemic in May 2020 has increased by 27%.Currently, the agricultural sector is helping the Indian economy, while many other industries are struggling. People living in rural areas are earning a living using Mahatma Gandhi’s National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA). In 2020, this scheme is used due to reverse migration from cities to rural areas.

How to create more jobs in rural areas?

Some ways to create employment opportunities in rural areas are:

1. Agricultural sector:

Construction of various means of irrigation like dams, canals etc., generates employment in the agricultural sector.

2. Transport and other services:

Construction of roads and railways generates employment opportunities. If there is development in roadways, the rural farmers can also transport their produce to other villages, thus facilitating the job opportunities to those involved in transport and trade.

3. Promotion of industries:

Identification of industries in semi-rural areas can create employment opportunities for local people. Right from the skilled to unskilled labourers, these small-scale industries may act as a boon. For example, dal-mill can be set up in places where farmers grow lentils like a chickpea. These mills help in the purchase and process of these chickpeas and sell it in the cities.

4. Education sector:

The opening of schools in rural areas can promote employment opportunities by appointing teachers, headmaster and office staff. This, in turn, helps in the literacy rate also.

5. Tourism:

Now, villages are also becoming a picnic spot for many. Promoting tourist activities not only encourage job opportunities for educated rural youth like tourist guide but also increases the income of the region.

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Ways to create more jobs in rural areas:

How to create more jobs in rural areas?

Agriculture is one of the main sectors contributing to the revival of the Indian economy. But the agricultural sector has so much potential that it has not yet been exploited. Improving the infrastructure and construction of post-harvest processing and storage units, and improving transportation facilities to distribute and sell production, can create a large number of employment opportunities. It is very important to increase the income of farmers to give a boost to the agricultural sector. For that, the MSP has to be increased. Taking steps to boost agricultural exports can generate many jobs. Encourage non-agricultural activities, such as dairy farming, fishing, etc. This can create significant opportunities. In recent years, the service sector has become the most important sector for the economy, surpassing the agricultural sector. Taking advantage of this opportunity and setting up service industries in rural areas, such as IT services companies, media offices, etc., can create a lot of employment opportunities.

Encouraging work from household facilities and part-time jobs may allow many rural women to access jobs that will not work due to lack of trained transportation, household responsibilities, and childcare, etc. About 51% of MSMEs are located in rural areas of India. Strengthening them and providing the necessary tools and technology to MSMEs can create many employment opportunities. Promoting entrepreneurship among rural youth and equipping them with the right skills can do wonders to improve the rural economy. Currently, many new companies are working to help in the commercialization of non-agricultural activities such as handicrafts, handlooms etc. Special incentives will be helpful for startups that create job opportunities in rural India. Establishing labor intensive industries, agro-based industries, solar plants and other clean energy industries can generate many jobs and can also help in taking steps towards sustainable development. Skill development programs help rural people to get jobs that require professional skills.

The Azim Premji Foundation suggested increasing MNREGA working hours from 100 to 200 to compensate for the lack of employment opportunities in rural areas. It is in great need during this epidemic, where many people are on the verge of poverty. There is a great need to establish advanced sanitation facilities in rural areas of India. With this, health facilities will be available to all. This will also create many jobs in rural areas. For any industry to be successful, transportation facilities and necessary infrastructure are very important. Infrastructure development can greatly help the rural economy.

Work taken by the Government of India:

• In May 2020, the Indian government launched the “Atma Nirbhay Bharat Abhiyan” to revive the Indian economy, which was severely affected during the COVID-19 epidemic. In this package, funds were also mentioned for agricultural infrastructure, which are very useful for the rural economy. Unsecured loans have also been promised to the MSME sector. Given that 51% of the MSMEs sector is in rural India, these loans will be very helpful in preventing further job losses.
• The “Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme” (MGNREGA), which guarantees 100 days of employment to rural people, is a boon for the rural economy. This is especially helpful in the event of the COVID-19 epidemic, when many people have lost their jobs and returned to the villages.
• The “Skill Training of Rural Youth” (STRY) program as the skill of “Skill India” is helping rural youth learn the skills needed to get employment.

More jobs can be created in rural areas by:

1. Opening of industries in rural areas. Example: The Tata plant in West Bengal would have provided employment to hundreds of villagers

2. Increase in construction works in rural areas. Build adequate housing, essential facilities are essential for people living in rural areas. This will not only improve their standard of living, but they will also get employment.

3. Employing people from rural areas in the facilities built in the example

4. IT can be all types of employment, such as clerks, teachers, laborers, mixers, etc

5. Improvement in agricultural sector. Whether it is the improvement of irrigation facilities or the use of modern machines, the improvement in the quality of the agricultural sector will increase productivity and increase the number of people to carry out various processes.

6.To improve or develop the road system in rural areas through which people will get employment6: The government can provide cheap loans so that the villagers can open small scale shops or industries

7: Government can bring more laws like MNREGA and others.

Conclusion:

The COVID-19 epidemic forced many people to return to the villages. Therefore, it is necessary to create multiple employment opportunities in rural India at the earliest. Generation of employment in rural areas is also an important step in preparing for future epidemics as it can save the economy from serious damage. Strengthening the agricultural