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About us | Nav Bharat Kendra

Adopted in Union Budget 2017-18, Mission Nav Bharat Kendra is a convergence and accountability framework aiming to bring optimum use and management of resources allocated by 26 Department of the Government of India under various programmes for the development of rural areas. It is envisaged as state-led initiative with Gram Panchayats as focal points of convergence efforts.

Annual survey in Gram Panchayats across the country is an important aspect of Mission Nav Bharat Kendra framework. It is carried out coterminous with the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) of Panchayat Raj and its’ purpose is to lend support to the process of participatory planning for Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).

THE GUIDING LIGHT IN SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Mission Nav Bharat Kendra is a sustainable rural development Organisation in India established in 2015. It has a skilled and dedicated team that creates sustainable programs to address rural India’s most-pressing needs. These programs are backed by an experienced research team that engages in participatory research, impact assessment, and interactive dialogues to determine informed actions to achieve sustainable results. Mission Nav Bharat Kendra has five key program areas: Water Management, Agricultural Development, Local Participation and Sustainability, Transform Lives one school at a time, and Outreach for Development.

The pioneering work done by Mission Nav Bharat Kendra in rural development has been recognized over the years. Its grassroots programs and development interventions have already reached three million people across rural India, empowering individuals and communities.

OBJECTIVES :

• Ensuring effective use of resources through convergence of various Government Schemes with Gram Panchayats as the basic unit of planning.
• Work with a focused micro plan for sustainable livelihood for every deprived households.
• Conduct an annual survey on measurable outcomes at Gram Panchayat level to monitor the progress in the development process across rural areas.
• Supporting the process of participatory planning for Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), which will improve service delivery, enhance citizenship, create pace for an alliance of people's institutions and groups and improve governance at the local level.
• Encourages partnerships with network of professionals, institutions and enterprises to further accelerate the transformation of rural livelihoods.

With one-seventh of the world’s population, India’s economic stability is dependent on the sustained growth of agriculture and allied activities. The Government of India set an ambitious target of doubling farmers’ income. However, the crucial challenge for India’s agricultural development is to ensure that small and marginal farmers are able to gain adequate remuneration from farming and contribute to the country’s increasing demand for food. Less-efficient traditional farming practices limit farmers from realizing the full potential of their landholding. In addition to the traditional challenges, climate change is a major concern in agriculture that impacts small farmers. Deviations in rainfall, changing temperatures, efficiency, and availability of inputs, all have an impact on the crop yield, quality of the produce, and overall output.

At the same time, cultivable soils are slowly becoming difficult to farm on due to high cropping intensity, inappropriate application of fertilizers, and inadequate usage of manure, among others that are causing severe nutrient deficiencies in soils. All these factors add to the risks in small and marginal-scale agriculture, thereby making it non-remunerative.

CROP DEMONSTRATIONS

The Agriculture Development Program uses a learning-by-doing approach to build on the knowledge and capabilities of farmers to maximize their crop productivity and better manage soil health. It lays heavy emphasis on regular capacity building and on-field demonstrations to educate farmers on sustainable agricultural practices.

The Agriculture Development team at Mission Nav Bharat Kendra conducts crop demonstrations and carries out training sessions to help farmers understand the importance of soil testing, appropriate seed rates, quality seeds, seed-sowing methods, correct quality and quantities of plant protection chemicals, weed management, pest management, use of compost, and other advanced techniques. The use of bio-fertilizers, micronutrients, and macronutrients is promoted to improve soil microbial activity. This increases organic matter in the soil, leading to a significant increase in agricultural productivity, thereby boosting farmers’ income.

The crop demonstrations are carried out on the farmers’ own fields, with the control and experimental fields side-by-side. This put into action the theory of seeing-is-believing, where farmers observe the results themselves, while learning firsthand the practical application of the new and sustainable techniques. The results also motivate farmers to adopt and scale these improved farming practices, thereby increasing crop productivity.

FARM MECHANIZATION

Use of appropriate machines and modern technology in agriculture has the potential to address and overcome challenges such as poverty, resource scarcity, climate change, hunger, and malnutrition. Introducing farm mechanization in agriculture saves time and labor costs, decreases input cost, reduces the risk of weather and labor uncertainties, increases the quality and quantity of produce, and improves return over investment and farm income over time.

The Agriculture Development Program increases the penetration of mechanization among small and marginal farmers by providing farm machines to enterprising farmers at subsidized rates. Farmers contribute to the cost of the machinery, which instills in them a sense of ownership as well as entrepreneurship. The program trains farmers to operate and maintain the machines and subsequently earn an extra livelihood by renting these machines to other farmers.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT

While small-holders and marginal farmers have the fundamental know-how of farming, they have limited awareness of allied agri-entrepreneurship activities to supplement their income. There is a need to build upon the capacities of farmers to undertake calculated risks for increased profits and financial sustainability.

The Agriculture Development Program encourages entrepreneurship among small-holder farmers, and landless women in particular, by supplementing the existing sources of income, mitigating the risk of farmers, and in some cases protecting biodiversity, and promoting food security. The Agriculture Development team educates farmers about the nuances of various enterprises and business models, and facilitates backward and forward linkages. Some of the entrepreneurship activities promoted include high-value crop cultivation, horticulture development, goatery management, and farm machinery, among others.

Effective policy frameworks and governance are pivotal for ensuring the success of water conservation efforts in India. The government needs to prioritize conservation, equitable distribution, and sustainable use of water through robust water management policies. Strengthening institutions responsible for water governance and fostering community participation in conservation initiatives are imperative for long-term success. Moreover, technological innovations such as desalination and wastewater treatment can offer viable solutions to augment water supply and improve water quality, thereby supporting conservation efforts.

Raising public awareness and promoting education about the importance of water conservation are vital components of the strategy. Engaging in educational campaigns, community outreach programs, and integrating water-saving practices into school curricula can instill a culture of responsible water usage among the populace. Furthermore, addressing climate change impacts on water resources by developing climate-resilient infrastructure and implementing adaptive water management strategies is crucial. By adopting a holistic approach that integrates policy interventions, technological innovations, and community engagement, India can effectively address its water challenges and ensure sustainable water management for future generations.

FARMER PRODUCER ORGANIZATIONS

Collectivization of producers, especially small and marginal farmers, into farmer producer organizations has emerged as one of the most effective pathways to address the many challenges of agriculture, but most importantly, improved access to investments, technology, inputs, and markets. The Agriculture Development Program strengthens institutional capacities of farmer-producer organizations along with training on better agronomic practices and technologies to improve the quantity and quality of their produce. The Agriculture Development team builds capacities of the farmer producer organizations to establish backward and forward market linkages, facilitates access to credit and strengthens the supply chain management. The overarching aim is to strengthen the operational and financial sustainability of these farmer producer organizations.

CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE

As a populous nation, India faces an enormous challenge in coping with the consequences of climate change. The majority of the country’s population resides in villages and depends largely on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and forestry for their livelihood. This vulnerability puts Indian farmers in great need of adaptation strategies in the face of climate variability and change.

The Agriculture Development Program supports climate-smart agriculture focusing on adapting and building resilience to climate change, using an approach to transform agriculture systems to effectively respond to the challenges posed by climate change and to ensure food security. The Agriculture Development team works with farmers to promote water use efficiency in agriculture, soil health, and nutrient management, use of renewable energy and appropriate machines, protected cultivation, and the adoption of salt-tolerant varieties of cereal and vegetable crops.

ANIMAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION

The Agriculture Development Program promotes animal health to improve milk productivity. Profitability of dairy farming depends on three main factors: breed of the animal, management, and feeding practices. Inadequate feeding causes nutrition imbalances in milch animals, so they do not attain the desired body weight, they remain unhealthy, and produce less milk. The Agriculture Development Program encourages farmers to regularly deworm dairy animals and include high-quality mineral additives to their diet, including green fodder. The method is sustainable as dietary supplements are locally available, and training is provided on how to give them to the animals.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERING APPROACHES TO URBAN AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT?

The needs and wants of rural development are different than those required for urban development, and they tend to change across geographies and regions. In a vast and dichotomous country like India, rural development focuses primarily on the development of resources required for day-to-day activities. The primary reason for a limited sectoral approach to rural development stems from an irrational placing of manufacturing facilities, underdeveloped infrastructure, and a host of other problems. Hence the concentration is on electrification, employment, basic healthcare, and water management. A cluster management approach is followed and development work happens for a group or area under one cluster.

In the case of urban development, the focus area shifts to better systems, traffic management, transportation, infrastructure, management of buildings, management of institutions, etc. The attitude, literacy, willingness to change, and flexibility of target audiences in each case is different.

Rural and urban development play complementary roles in overall economic development. While the drivers for both may be different, they must grow and prosper simultaneously for the improvement of the Human Development Index.

TO CONCLUDE

p>While there is no defined criterion for ensuring a balanced urban-rural development, private, nonprofit, and public institutions need to come together on this vexing issue. Driven by political or financial considerations, the rural development process is sometimes suppressed by urban interest. This rural-urban gap is a long-standing issue in India. For sustainable rural development to occur, rural communities must able to enjoy appropriate public services and infrastructure. Investment in public services and infrastructure in rural areas should be a priority that will contribute to growth in agricultural development and to the development of non-farm sectors.

Successful rural development requires coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders, and functioning institutions are fundamental for the future of rural areas. Investing in capacity development at an individual, organizational, and societal level is necessary; and the implementation of policies and strategies will lead to balanced urban-rural development and an integrated approach.

INITIATIVES :

Over the years, the Indian government has introduced many initiatives to strengthen the nation's economy. The Indian government has been effective in developing policies and programmes that are not only beneficial for citizens to improve their financial stability but also for the overall growth of the economy. Over recent decades, India's rapid economic growth has led to a substantial increase in its demand for exports. Besides this, a number of the government's flagship programmes, including Make in India, Start-up India, Digital India, the Smart City Mission, and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, is aimed at creating immense opportunities in India. In this regard, some of the initiatives taken by the government to improve the economic condition of the country are mentioned below:

• On January 22, 2024, announced the 'Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana'. Under this scheme, 1 crore households will receive rooftop solar installations.
• On September 17th, 2023, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi launched the Central Sector Scheme PM-VISHWAKARMA in New Delhi. The new scheme aims to provide recognition and comprehensive support to traditional artisans & craftsmen who work with their hands and basic tools. This initiative is designed to enhance the quality, scale, and reach of their products, as well as to integrate them with MSME value chains.
• On August 6th, 2023, Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was launched to transform and revitalize 1309 railway stations across the nation. This scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term vision.
• On June 28th, 2023, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change introduced the ‘Draft Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023’.
• From April 1st, 2023, Foreign Trade Policy 2023 was unveiled to create an enabling ecosystem to support the philosophy of ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Local goes Global’.
• In order to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities by increasing investment and production in the sector, the government of India has introduced the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Pharmaceuticals.
• Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-East Region (PM-DevINE) was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 with a financial outlay of Rs. 1,500 crore (US$ 182.35 million).
• Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi has inaugurated a new food security scheme for providing free food grains to Antodaya Ann Yojna (AAY) & Primary Household (PHH) beneficiaries, called Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY) from January 1st, 2023.
• The Amrit Bharat Station scheme for Indian Railways envisages the development of stations on a continuous basis with a long-term vision, formulated on December 29th, 2022, by the Ministry of Railways.
• On October 7th, 2022, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) launched Credit Guarantee Scheme for Start-ups (CGSS) aiming to provide credit guarantees up to a specified limit by start-ups, facilitated by Scheduled Commercial Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
• Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme was launched in October 2022 by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), a body under the Department of Telecommunications. The objective is to fund R&D in rural-specific communication technology applications and form synergies among academia, start-ups, research institutes, and the industry to build and develop the telecom ecosystem.
• Home & Cooperation Minister Mr. Amit Shah laid the foundation stone and performed Bhoomi Pujan of Tanot Mandir Complex Project under Border Tourism Development Programme in Jaisalmer in September 2022.
• In August 2022, Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare inaugurated four new facilities at the Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), which has been rendering excellent services for more than 60 years under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• In August 2022, a Special Food Processing Fund of Rs. 2,000 crore (US$ 242.72 million) was set up with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to provide affordable credit for investments in setting up Mega Food Parks (MFP) as well as processing units in the MFPs.
• In July 2022, Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) announced plans to develop two Mega Cargo Handling Terminals on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Mode at an estimated cost of Rs. 5,963 crore (US$ 747.64 million).
• In July 2022, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India & Maldives. This MoU will provide a platform to tap the benefits of information technology for court digitization and can be a potential growth area for IT companies and start-ups in both countries.
• India and Namibia entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity utilization on July 20th, 2022, for establishing the cheetah into the historical range in India.
• In July 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved international trade settlements in Indian rupees (Rs.) in order to promote the growth of global trade with emphasis on exports from India and to support the increasing interest of the global trading community.
• The Agnipath Scheme aims to develop a young and skilled armed force backed by an advanced warfare technology scheme by providing youth with an opportunity to serve Indian Army for a 4-year period. It is introduced by the Government of India on June 14th, 2022.
• In June 2022, laid the foundation stone of development projects worth Rs. 21,000 crore (US$ 2.63 billion) at Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan at Vadodara.
• Mr. Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence, launched 75 newly developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) products/technologies during the first-ever ‘AI in Defence’ (AIDef) symposium and exhibition organized by the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi on July 11th, 2022.
• In June 2022, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of 1,406 projects worth more than Rs. 80,000 crore (US$ 10.01 billion) at the ground-breaking ceremony of the UP Investors Summit in Lucknow. The Projects encompass diverse sectors like Agriculture and Allied industries, IT and Electronics, MSME, Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Pharma, Tourism, Defence & Aerospace, and Handloom & Textiles.
• The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) under the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lysterra LLC, a Russia-based company for the commercialization of bio capsule, an encapsulation technology for bio-fertilization on June 30th, 2022.
• As of April 2022, India signed 13 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with its trading partners including major trade agreements like the India-UAE Comprehensive Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA).
• 'Mission Shakti' was applicable with effect from April 1st, 2022, aimed at strengthening interventions for women’s safety, security, and empowerment.
• The Union Budget of 2022-23 was presented on February 1st, 2022, by the Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman. The budget had four priorities PM GatiShakti, Inclusive Development, Productivity Enhancement and Investment, and Financing of Investments. In the Union Budget 2022-23, effective capital expenditure is expected to increase by 27% at Rs. 10.68 trillion (US$ 142.93 billion) to boost the economy. This will be 4.1% of the total Gross Domestic Production (GDP).
• Strengthening of Pharmaceutical Industry (SPI) was launched in March 2022 by the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers to provide credit linked capital and interest subsidy for Technology Upgradation of MSME units in pharmaceutical sector, as well as support of up to Rs. 20 crore (US$ 2.4 million) each for common facilities including Research centre, testing labs and ETPs (Effluent Treatment Plant) in Pharma Clusters, to enhance the role of MSMEs.
• Under PM GatiShakti Master Plan, the National Highway Network will develop 25,000 km of new highways network, which will be worth Rs. 20,000 crore (US$ 2.67 billion). In 2022-23. Increased government expenditure is expected to attract private investments, with a production-linked incentive scheme providing excellent opportunities. Consistently proactive, graded, and measured policy support is anticipated to boost the Indian economy.
• In February 2022, The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment launched the Scheme for Economic Empowerment of Denotified/Nomadic/SemiNomadic tribal communities (DNTs) (SEED) to provide basic facilities like good quality coaching, and health insurance. livelihoods initiative at a community level and financial assistance for the construction of houses.
• In February 2022, Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman said that productivity linked incentive (PLI) schemes would be extended to 14 sectors to achieve the mission of AtmaNirbhar Bharat and create 60 lakh jobs with an additional production capacity of Rs. 30 trillion (US$ 401.49 billion) in the next five years.
• In the Union Budget of 2022-23, the government announced funding for the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for domestic solar cells and module manufacturing of Rs. 24,000 crore (US$ 3.21 billion).
• In the Union Budget of 2022-23, the government announced a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for Bulk Drugs which was an investment of Rs. 2,500 crore (US$ 334.60 million).
• In the Union Budget of 2022, Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman announced that a scheme for design-led manufacturing in 5G would be launched as part of the PLI scheme.
• In September 2021, Union Cabinet approved major reforms in the telecom sector, which are expected to boost employment, growth, competition, and consumer interests. Key reforms include rationalization of adjusted gross revenue, rationalization of bank guarantees (BGs), and encouragement of spectrum sharing.
• In the Union Budget of 2022-23, the government has allocated Rs. 44,720 crore (US$ 5.98 billion) to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for capital investments in the 4G spectrum.
• Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman allocated Rs. 650 crore (US$ 86.69 million) for the Deep Ocean mission that seeks to explore vast marine living and non-living resources. Department of Space (DoS) has got Rs. 13,700 crore (US$ 1.83 billion) in 2022-23 for several key space missions like Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-3, and Aditya L-1 (sun).
• In May 2021, the government approved the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing advanced chemistry cell (ACC) batteries at an estimated outlay of Rs. 18,100 crore (US$ 2.44 billion); this move is expected to attract domestic and foreign investments worth Rs. 45,000 crore (US$ 6.07 billion).
• Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Union Budget of 2022-23 that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would issue Digital Rupee using blockchain and other technologies.
• In the Union Budget of 2022-23, Railway got an investment of Rs. 2.38 trillion (US$ 31.88 billion) and over 400 new high-speed trains were announced. The concept of "One Station, One Product" was also introduced.
• To boost competitiveness, Budget 2022-23 has announced reforming the 16-year-old Special Economic Zone (SEZ) act.
• In June 2021, the RBI (Reserve Bank of India) announced that the investment limit for FPI (foreign portfolio investors) in the State Development Loans (SDLs) and government securities (G-secs) would persist unaffected at 2% and 6%, respectively, in FY22.
• In November 2020, the Government of India announced Rs. 2.65 trillion (US$ 36 billion) stimulus package to generate job opportunities and provide liquidity support to various sectors such as tourism, aviation, construction, and housing. Also, India's cabinet approved the production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme to provide ~Rs. 2 trillion (US$ 27 billion) over five years to create jobs and boost production in the country.
• Numerous foreign companies are setting up their facilities in India on account of various Government initiatives like Make in India and Digital India. Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi launched the Make in India initiative with an aim to boost the country's manufacturing sector and increase the purchasing power of the average Indian consumer, which would further drive demand and spur development, thus benefiting investors. The Government of India, under its Make in India initiative, is trying to boost the contribution made by the manufacturing sector with an aim to take it to 25% of the GDP from the current 17%. Besides, the government has also come up with the Digital India initiative, which focuses on three core components: the creation of digital infrastructure, delivering services digitally, and increasing digital literacy.
• On January 29th, 2022, the National Asset Reconstruction Company Ltd (NARCL) will acquire bad loans worth up to Rs. 50,000 crore (US$ 6.69 billion) about 15 accounts by March 31st, 2022. India Debt Resolution Co. Ltd (IDRCL) will control the resolution process. This will clean up India's financial system and help fuel liquidity and boost the Indian economy.
• National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) is a bank that will provide non-recourse infrastructure financing and is expected to support projects from the first quarter of FY23; it is expected to raise Rs. 4 trillion (US$ 53.58 billion) in the next three years.
• By November 1st, 2021, India, and the United Kingdom hope to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement. The proposed FTA between these two countries is likely to unlock business opportunities and generate jobs. Both sides have renewed their commitment to boost trade in a manner that benefits all.
• In August 2021, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi announced an initiative to start a national mission to reach the US$ 400 billion merchandise export target by FY22.
• In August 2021, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi launched a digital payment solution, e-RUPI, a contactless and cashless instrument for digital payments.
• In April 2021, Dr. Ahmed Abdul Rahman AlBanna, Ambassador of the UAE to India and Founding Patron of IFIICC, stated that trilateral trade between India, the UAE and Israel is expected to reach US$ 110 billion by 2030.
• India is expected to attract investment of around US$ 100 billion in developing the oil and gas infrastructure during 2019-23.
• The Government of India is expected to increase public health spending to 2.5% of the GDP by 2025.

TO CONCLUDE

While there is no defined criterion for ensuring a balanced urban-rural development, private, nonprofit, and public institutions need to come together on this vexing issue.

Driven by political or financial considerations, the rural development process is sometimes suppressed by urban interest. This rural-urban gap is a long-standing issue in India. For sustainable rural development to occur, rural communities must able to enjoy appropriate public services and infrastructure. Investment in public services and infrastructure in rural areas should be a priority that will contribute to growth in agricultural development and to the development of non-farm sectors.

Successful rural development requires coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders, and functioning institutions are fundamental for the future of rural areas. Investing in capacity development at an individual, organizational, and societal level is necessary; and the implementation of policies and strategies will lead to balanced urban-rural development and an integrated approach.