Unit-5, L-2 E (Part-3)

Summary

This MOOCs course on 'Community Engagement and Social Responsibility' delves into Unit 5, focusing on 'Research and Innovation in Community Engagement.' It discusses rural distress, its causes, and consequences such as increased farmer suicides and migration to urban areas. The script highlights the decline in agriculture's GDP share and suggests solutions like agricultural reforms, subsidies, medical insurance, and a shift towards organic farming. It emphasizes the need for community support, inclusive growth, and awareness to alleviate rural distress and promote sustainable farming practices.

Takeaways

• 📘 The course discusses 'Community Engagement and Social Responsibility' with a focus on 'Research and Innovation in Community Engagement Related Issues'.
• 🌾 Unit 5 delves into rural distress, its causes, and consequences, particularly the impact of COVID-19 on migrant laborers and disaster mitigation strategies.
• 🔍 The script identifies climatic conditions as a leading cause of rural distress, resulting in fluctuating rainfall and insufficient irrigation facilities.
• 🏞️ Rural distress is linked to an increase in farmer suicides, particularly in areas with inadequate agricultural infrastructure.
• 👨‍🌾 There is a generational shift away from agriculture, with younger generations seeking opportunities outside of farming due to the hardships faced by farmers.
• 📊 According to the 2011 census, urban India grew faster than rural India, indicating a mass migration from rural to urban areas, adding to urban burdens.
• 💡 The script suggests that landless individuals are most vulnerable, with a negative income to contribution ratio, unable to cover variable costs.
• 📉 A decline in the share of agriculture in GDP from 29.6% in 1981-82 to 11.8% in 2013 signifies a significant shift away from agriculture.
• 🌱 Proposed solutions include agriculture reforms to increase farm productivity, subsidies for small farmers, and expanding medical insurance coverage for farmers.
• 🌿 There is an emphasis on creating awareness for farmers to transition from pesticides to organic farming for higher returns and healthier products.
• 🤝 The urban community is encouraged to support farmers, potentially through inclusive growth models that ensure fair prices for agricultural produce.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the MOOCs course mentioned in the script?

The main topic of the MOOCs course is 'Community Engagement and Social Responsibility' with a focus on 'Research and Innovation in Community Engagement related issues'.

What are the two modules covered in Unit 5 of the course?

Unit 5 covers two modules: one about rural distress, poverty, and the impact of COVID-19 on migrant laborers, and the other about the mitigation of disaster.

What are the consequences of rural distress as discussed in the script?

The consequences of rural distress include increased farmer suicides, dwindling agricultural workforce, migration of people from rural to urban areas, and a decline in the share of agriculture in GDP.

Why are farmers in states with insufficient irrigation facilities more prone to suicide?

Farmers in such states are more prone to suicide due to fluctuating rainfall and insufficient irrigation, which leads to unreliable agricultural yields and financial distress.

What is the trend observed in the agricultural workforce shifting to?

The agricultural workforce is shifting to other areas for work to sustain their lives, as the younger generation is not interested in continuing with agriculture due to its hardships.

How has the migration from rural areas to urban areas impacted urban cities?

The migration has added to the burden of urban cities, leading to increased urbanization and potentially straining city resources and infrastructure.

What is the significance of the 'Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana' in the context of the script?

The 'Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana' is significant as it could expand medical insurance coverage for farmers, providing financial support in the event of a mishap such as a farmer's suicide.

What are the suggested solutions to address the problem of rural distress?

Suggested solutions include agriculture reforms to increase farm productivity, subsidies for agricultural inputs, expanding medical insurance coverage, promoting organic farming, and creating a culture of farmer support.

Why is it important to move from pesticides to organic farming according to the script?

Moving to organic farming is important because it can yield equally good products without the harmful effects of pesticides, potentially leading to higher returns for farmers.

What role does the urban community play in supporting rural areas according to the script?

The urban community can play a role by developing a culture of farmer support, which includes inclusive growth models where farmers can sell their produce at fair prices and receive the support they need.

How can farm diversification help alleviate rural hardship?

Farm diversification can increase crop production on the same farmland, potentially allowing for multiple crops in a year and integrating livestock farming, which can contribute to organic farming practices and increase returns.

What is the importance of improving public spending on rural infrastructure as a suggested solution?

Improving public spending on rural infrastructure is important to enhance the quality of life in rural areas, support agricultural practices, and create beneficial employment opportunities, thus alleviating rural hardship.

Outlines

00:00

🌾 Rural Distress and Its Impacts

The first paragraph introduces a MOOCs course on community engagement and social responsibility, focusing on Unit 5, which discusses research and innovation in community engagement. It delves into the consequences of rural distress, such as increased farmer suicides in areas with inadequate irrigation and fluctuating rainfall, leading to a dwindling agricultural workforce and a shift in the younger generation's career choices away from farming. The speaker also touches on the migration from rural to urban areas, adding to urban burdens, and presents data showing a decline in agriculture's share in GDP from 1981 to 2013. The importance of addressing rural distress for a healthy life is emphasized.

05:01

🛠️ Solutions to Rural Distress

The second paragraph presents various solutions to combat rural distress. It suggests agricultural reforms to boost farm productivity and farmer income, subsidies for small and marginal farmers to reduce production costs, and the expansion of medical insurance coverage for farmers. The paragraph also highlights the need to shift from pesticide use to organic farming for better yields and health, and the importance of urban community support for rural areas. It proposes the development of a model for inclusive growth that ensures farmers receive fair prices for their produce, and touches on the potential of farm diversification and the integration of livestock to enhance agricultural returns.

10:04

🏛️ Public Support and Infrastructure for Rural Development

The final paragraph wraps up the discussion on rural distress by emphasizing the need for public spending on rural infrastructure as a solution. It stresses the importance of farmer education and awareness about organic farming, as well as community support to foster growth. The paragraph concludes by looking forward to the next part of the course, which will address rural poverty and its causes, and thanks the audience for their participation.

Keywords

💡Community Engagement

Community engagement refers to the process of actively involving members of a community in activities, decisions, and initiatives that impact their lives. In the context of the video, it is about involving the community in addressing issues related to rural distress and social responsibility. The script discusses the importance of community involvement in finding solutions to rural problems, such as shifting to organic farming and supporting farmers.

💡Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is the idea that individuals, corporations, and organizations have a duty to act in ways that benefit the broader society. The video script emphasizes the role of social responsibility in tackling rural issues, suggesting that community engagement and awareness can lead to positive changes in rural areas, such as mitigating the impacts of rural distress.

💡Rural Distress

Rural distress denotes the economic and social difficulties faced by rural communities, often due to factors like climate conditions and insufficient infrastructure. The script highlights the consequences of rural distress, such as increased farmer suicides and migration to urban areas, which contribute to urban overcrowding and affect the overall well-being of society.

💡Migrant Laborers

Migrant laborers are individuals who move from rural to urban areas in search of work, often due to lack of opportunities in their home regions. The script mentions the impact of COVID-19 on migrant laborers, indicating that the pandemic has exacerbated the challenges faced by those who have migrated for work.

💡Agriculture

Agriculture is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock to produce food, fiber, and other products. The script discusses the decline in agriculture's contribution to GDP and the shift of the workforce away from farming due to rural distress, emphasizing the importance of agricultural reforms to improve farm productivity and income.

💡Farmer Suicides

Farmer suicides refer to the tragic phenomenon where farmers take their own lives, often due to financial stress and the inability to cope with the challenges of farming. The script points out that farmer suicides have increased in areas with insufficient irrigation and fluctuating rainfall, illustrating the severity of rural distress.

💡Urbanization

Urbanization is the process of migration from rural to urban areas, leading to the growth of cities and towns. The video script notes that urban India has grown faster than rural India, with landless individuals being particularly vulnerable, highlighting the mass exodus from rural areas to urban centers due to rural distress.

💡Agricultural Reforms

Agricultural reforms involve changes to the policies and practices in the agricultural sector to improve productivity, sustainability, and income for farmers. The script suggests that enforcing agricultural reforms, such as providing subsidies for agricultural equipment and promoting organic farming, can help address the issues of rural distress.

💡Organic Farming

Organic farming is a method of agriculture that avoids the use of synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms, focusing on ecological processes and biodiversity. The video script promotes the shift from pesticide-dependent farming to organic farming as a solution to improve the livelihood of farmers and produce healthier products.

💡Farm Diversification

Farm diversification refers to the practice of growing a variety of crops or engaging in multiple agricultural activities on a single farm to reduce risk and increase income. The script mentions farm diversification as a strategy to help farmers increase their returns and suggests that integrating livestock farming with crop production can contribute to a more sustainable agricultural system.

💡Public Spending

Public spending refers to the allocation of government funds to various sectors, including infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The video script identifies increased public spending on rural infrastructure as a key solution to alleviate rural hardship and improve the quality of life in rural areas.

Highlights

Introduction to the MOOCs course on Community Engagement and Social Responsibility, focusing on Unit 5 about research and innovation in community engagement.

The course discusses two modules: rural distress and the impact of COVID-19 on migrant laborers, and mitigation of disaster.

Exploring the consequences of rural distress, including increased farmer suicides and dwindling agricultural workforce.

The shift of the younger generation away from agriculture due to the hardships faced by farmers.

Rural suffering leading to a major exodus to urban cities, increasing the burden on urban areas.

Data from the 2011 census showing faster growth in urban India compared to rural areas.

The negative income-to-contribution ratio for landless individuals, indicating an inability to cover variable costs.

A decline in the share of agricultural output in GDP from 1981 to 2013, highlighting a shift away from agriculture.

The importance of addressing rural distress for maintaining a healthy life and sustainable communities.

Suggested solutions include agriculture reforms to increase farm productivity and income for farmers.

Proposing subsidies for agricultural equipment, fertilizers, and insecticides for small and marginal farmers.

Expanding medical insurance coverage under the Rashtra Swastha Bhima Yojana to support farmers in case of mishaps.

Creating awareness among farmers to transition from pesticides to organic farming for higher returns and sustainability.

The need for an inclusive growth model where farmers can sell their produce at fair prices.

Developing a culture of farmer support through urban community involvement for rural development.

Improving warehouse and irrigation facilities, and enhancing value addition and supply chain efficiency in agriculture.

The necessity of improving the quality of education and health services in government schools and hospitals.

Promoting farm diversification to increase crop production and incorporate livestock farming for organic manure.

The role of education and awareness in helping farmers transition to organic farming practices.

Public spending on rural infrastructure as a key solution to alleviate rural hardship and promote equitable growth.

Conclusion of the session with a preview of the next part focusing on rural poverty and its causes.

Transcripts

[Music]

thank you

[Music]

I welcome you all to moocs course

entitled Community engagement and social

responsibility

I will be discussing unit 5 today

entitled research and innovation in

community engagement related issues

this unit has two modules the second

module is about rural distress rural

poverty impact of covid-19 on migrant

laborers and mitigation of disaster

module 2 part 3 in third part of module

2 we will be studying about consequences

of rural distress and suggested

solutions to it in the previous part of

the module we studied causes of rural

distress

now what are the consequences of rural

distress

reasons are known reasons are climatic

conditions

so these reasons are leading to the

consequences what consequences does

rural distress have you might be

thinking the consequences are obvious

the consequences itself is a rural

distress so consequences in rural

distress can be seen in in the form of

farmers suicides which are having which

are increased in states with

insufficient irrigation facilities where

the rainfall is fluctuating

the agriculture work for is dwindling

the workforce in agriculture is Shifting

to some other areas to work so that they

can sustain their lives they are no more

doing agriculture

the agriculture generation is switching

the next generation of of any family

would not like to continue with the

agriculture a farmer would never now

want that his son should be a farmer

rather he should go outside study abroad

look for a job and work

so they don't want that the pains they

take as a farmer now they say it say it

is a pain they should not be continued

rural suffering is actually leading to

Major Exodus to the urban cities people

are migrating from rural areas to urban

areas and hence adding up the burden of

the urban cities and the other cities

too so according to 2011 census first

time Urban India grew faster than the

rural India because the the landless are

most vulnerable

their income to contribution ratio is

negative that means even they are not

able to cover their variable cost or the

cost of the Seas here I am referring to

the cost which keeps on fluctuating the

level of production

so the land holders who are producing

who are farmers they are even not able

to cover the contribution from their

sales that means they are not even if

they are not able to cover their

variable cost the contribution is

negative

the consequences of rural distress can

also be seen from a table which is which

uh talks about a share of output from

agriculture in GDP where over the years

if you would see how can I say that

agriculture is dwindling or people are

switching from agriculture to other

areas the table shows that from 1981 to

82 where the share of agriculture in the

GDP was 29.6 which is now on

11.8 and in in 2013 it is showing up

that there is a huge decline what the

agriculture used to share as a

percentage in PDP it's now only 11 plus

11.8

these figures are shocking these figures

are actually not surprising but but are

required to be focused that furthermore

there should be no such decrease Because

unless we have farmlands unless we have

agriculture there is no healthy life

which can be dealt there so it becomes

important for us to address the uh the

problem of cruel distress

suggested solutions to the particular uh

to the problem of financial distress can

be agriculture reforms that increase the

farm productivity and income of the

farmer should be enforced second

subsidies for the purchase of

agricultural equipments fertilizers and

insecticides by small and marginal

Farmers should be there so that the

marginal farmers are able to at least

minimize their cost of production if

they are able to minimize the cost of

production they would be able to at

least have a comparable or achievable

Target that they can sustain their lives

the rashtra swastha bhima yojana could

expand medical insurance coverage even

for the farmers if there is a mishap in

the family regarding a suicide by the

farmers then those can be helped with

some amount so the farmers the the

people who are left after the farmers

can their lives can be sustained one of

the most important Point what we need to

work on as a team as a community as as

an Engaged Community is create an

awareness among all the farmers to move

from pesticides to organic we need to

have make them aware that now it's the

need and their returns can be high if

they work on organic farming so it is

lesser use of pesticides more uh relying

on the

organic matter or the fertilizers which

are not harmful which are going to yield

equality products is important

and another thing white water is

important for us to understand that

creating a culture of farmer support

which can be extended by urban community

because we have seen the growth rate of

urban is much more than the growth rate

of rural areas so it becomes important

for us that they are rural areas are not

left behind they are not put there in

the condition of the distress and how

can we do that we need to Define and we

need to develop a culture of farmer

support farmer support not financially

here I am referring to but what I am

referring to but to have such a model

which talks about inclusive growth where

Farmers produce can be sold at at least

the farmers can get at least a price

what they are looking for so it is not

any more relying on the msps it is not

anymore relying on the government to

come into picture and help the farmers

but it is US put it to come as a

participant in the research and work on

a Model that how can we help a farmer to

have its sustenance this this solution

would help the farmer to have a

Perpetual growth for a number of years

and would even have himself to grow

equitable

there are certain more solutions which

can have we can have a happy farmer

smiling farmer if we see there because

we want to see Smiles on the faces of

the farmers who are who are relieved

from the stress of financial distress so

agriculture reforms like which which

talk about Improvement in the warehouse

facilities Improvement in the irrigation

facilities more income and profits

through value addition and supply chain

supply chain of Agriculture producers

required to be improved the marginal

returns to the farmer should be should

be bare minimum at least the more than

the supply chain people who are getting

into supplies in and taking up their own

share the government schools and

hospitals should improve the quality of

education and Health Services that means

creating awareness that how organic

farming can be a benefit and can be a

tool to have their lives

with prosperity to alleviate the rural

hardship beneficial employment

opportunities should be created here not

I am not referring to

a state where farmer can change his

occupation from farming to other things

but what am I referring to helping the

farmer to understand that the farm

diversification would increase its

returns so Farm diversification means

increasing the crop production on one

Farmland maybe two crop on in a year

usually it happens to crop but it needs

to be increased to three crop in a year

and apart from that farming of livestock

can be done so that the manure which

comes from the livestock can be put into

the fields and Fields can be again based

on the organic farming so it is

important not only the agriculture we

can talk about not many kinds of area we

can talk about Fisheries agriculture

with the same Farmland with the part of

the Farmland but you may be having wine

in CS what is uh how can we how it can

be done provided with the resources

provided with the knowledge providing

the technical support this is possible

so bringing up the agriculture Norms to

improve the farmer's livelihood are not

sufficient what is important is the

education of farmers the awareness of

farmers to move from pesticides to

organic and the community support all

together would help the farmers to grow

together

public spending on Rural infrastructure

and again is seen to be a suggested

solution

therefore in this part we studied about

consequences of rural distress and

suggested solutions to it in the next

part we will study about rural poverty

and its causes

thank you all for joining