Cultural Practices in Nepal

Rural Development Programs in Nepal

Abstract

In a rural country like Nepal, rural development programs have a high value. Proper development programs can serve as a stepping stone toward the rural poor's livelihood and the nation's long-term growth. This study aims to provide an overview of rural development practices in Nepal. The research is based on secondary data provided by various government agencies. The majority of the data comes from numerous periodic plans, publications, papers, and government programs. The importance of this study stems from the need to learn from past experiences and build future guidelines for developing effective, popular, and long-term rural development programs.

Introduction

Rural development is the most important aspect of any rural country's development, as it promotes agriculture and related activities. It has been demonstrated that rural development policies capable of addressing the problems of rural people, women, separated populations from the mainstream of development, and poor people can help a country develop. In the case of Nepal, the rural sector employs millions of people, accounting for more than 66 percent of the country's employment. Agriculture accounts for more than 27.04 percent of the worldwide gross domestic product (GDP) (CBS, 2017). Rural development refers to all aspects of rural life that are essential in a rural civilization. The word 'rural development' refers to the entire development of rural areas with the goal of improving the quality of life of rural residents, particularly the rural poor. Rural development is defined as a process that leads to a long-term increase in the quality of life for rural residents, particularly the poor. 

Materials and Methods 

This research relies on secondary data sources. Information for this study was gathered from a variety of sources, including budget speeches from various governments, economic surveys, Nepal's various periodic plans, Nepali congress manifestos, government policies and planning, rural development publications, national and international journals, and books on rural development. The majority of the approaches used to interpret the relevant data and information are qualitative. 

Programme for the Development of Rural Community Infrastructure 

With the aid of the World Food Programme (WFP), the Rural Community Infrastructure Development Programme (RIDP) will be implemented in 45 districts in phases. The program's key goals were to improve food availability for rural poor families, improve and construct community infrastructure in food-deficit areas, strengthen rural community self-help capability, and improve the management capacity of local bodies in administering the program. To improve access to essential services for the rural population, programs such as connecting remote roads to main roads and market areas, community-based irrigation projects, and river training to safeguard farm lands and farmers will be undertaken. In the hill and terai areas, programs such as the building of small canals, pond construction, and maintenance, as well as mule trails and tractor roads, river bank protection, and small landslide management in the mid-hill, would be implemented. In food-deficit areas, programs to address community malnutrition would be implemented by mobilizing food under the "food for labor" initiative. This would contribute to increased revenue creation by providing jobs in rural areas. This program aims to execute 2,300 community-based events, with 200,000 households benefiting from participation in the food for work program (NPC, 1997).

Conclusion 

Because of the country's agricultural nature, rural growth is unavoidable for the country's overall development. There are many more rural development programs in Nepal that have been started by various administrations at various times. The majority of rural development programs concern rural infrastructure development, such as land reform, water, power, agriculture, social-cultural issues, and so on.

Because Nepal is a rural country, the government's programs are critical for rural development and national development. The study also revealed the significant potential for economic growth through rural development. On the other hand, Nepal's established rural development policies and programs have not been able to address the real difficulties that rural poor people face. Some of the programs are excellent, but the next administration will not continue them. It is critical to adopt rural development policies that are pro-poor and geographically appropriate.