The recent union budget is revolutionary in many aspects. First of all, it is a big blow to the opposition. There were allegations that the government pays attention to the urban India only. Secondly, it talks about transforming the rural India in the long-term. No wonder, the budget refrained from making lucrative offers and benefits. If the focus gets shifted to the rural market again and the rural job program gets implemented in a full-fledged manner, then certainly the rural India will decide the pace of development in the coming years. The budget talks about doubling the income of farmers in five years which is a ground-breaking thought indeed. There could be doubts and questions about the modus-operandi, but the intentions are fair and clear.
It is not just a political speech but a concrete idea of rural development
If we look at the budget speech, there are two important things that will boost the rural market. Firstly the budget talks about the development of rural infrastructure. It is a fact that the brain drain from rural India happens primarily because the villages are still in the medieval era. Roads are pathetic, sanitation is poor, and public services are non-existent. In such scenario, nobody wants to live in the villages. With a great emphasis on investments in irrigation, excellent road connectivity, and electrification; there will be a facelift of the rural India.
The second important announcement is about doubling the agriculture income in next five years. As per the government, there is a huge scope for modernization of agriculture. With new and innovative farming, optimum utilization of resources, and genetic engineering; the target is certainly achievable.
If the two resolutions get converted into reality, then it will give an incredible boost to the rural market. There will be a phenomenal increase in the buying capacity and companies will get a huge unexplored market. Elevation of the lifestyle will stop the brain drain and reduce the burden on the urban infrastructure.
When the budget talks about income security instead of food security, it is a paradigm shift indeed. It changes the perspective of looking towards farming in India. When it is done with a professional approach, the focus shifts to productivity and profitability. Fast-track projects will bring more cultivated land under irrigation. It will reduce the dependency on the Monsoon.
There is no doubt that the face of the rural market will be totally transformed if the budget declarations get implemented fully. It will be the birth of a strong and self-sufficient rural India.
