NITI Aayog hosts national seminar on Sustainable Rural Livelihoods

New Delhi: NITI Aayog organized a National Seminar on ‘Sustainable Rural Livelihoods,’ addressing key issues such as enhancing rural livelihoods, strengthening market linkages, developing value chains, and fostering rural entrepreneurship. 

The event, chaired by Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member of NITI Aayog, brought together policymakers, academicians, community innovators, and representatives from ministries, international organizations, NGOs, and start-ups to explore strategies for sustainable development in rural India.

Prof. Ramesh Chand highlighted the pivotal role of agriculture in fostering sustainable rural livelihoods and emphasized the need to close the urban-rural divide through balanced, integrated development.  Prof. Chand also stressed the importance of fostering “SMART Villages”—self-reliant communities built on innovation and sustainable practices.

Following his address, experts from various sectors, including the Ministry of Rural Development, the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), provided insightful contributions, advocating for more inclusive approaches to rural development. 

The seminar underscored rural India’s potential contribution to the country’s GDP, emphasizing the growing importance of rural infrastructure and the role of inclusive growth strategies. Participants discussed the role of financial inclusion and job creation, particularly within the gig, care, green, and blue economies. Employment opportunities in the construction, services, and manufacturing sectors were also highlighted. Key discussions focused on connecting rural producers to broader markets and the importance of decentralization. Institutions such as Gram Panchayats, women-led groups, and civil society were identified as critical drivers of rural progress.

The second session addressed the challenges of achieving sustainable livelihoods amidst climate change. Experts from institutions such as NAARM, ICAR, CWC, and IWMI shared innovative research on agriculture, water security, and rural entrepreneurship. The need for comprehensive groundwater legislation was underscored, along with calls for agricultural models that enhance rural resilience and improve economic opportunities in vulnerable communities. These discussions emphasized the urgency of addressing climate vulnerabilities to secure a sustainable future for rural India.