Why is rural development of tremendous importance for our country?
Mahatma Gandhi had once said that the real progress of India did not simply mean the growth and expansion of industrial urban centres but mainly the development of the villages. Rural development is of tremendous importance for our country because of the reasons enumerated below
(i) Even today, nearly 70% of he population of India resides in rural areas. So, if there is growth and prosperity in these areas, it will result in the growth and prosperity of the nation as a whole.
(ii) Rural development will help to create employment opportunities in the rural areas. This will not only raise the standard of living of the rural population, but also check the problem of migration.
(iii) Rural development creates opportunities in rural areas for education and skill development . This helps to increase the efficiency, productivity, mobility, income and standard of living of the people.