AARDO countries development should support economic growth

Hyderabad, Jan 8 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Rural Development Chandra Sekhar Sahu today said development of a broad-based agriculture and rural development strategy by member countries of Afro-Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO) would immensely contribute to poverty reduction and overall economic growth.

Inaugurating a three-day retreat on 'Rural Development: Afro-Asian Perspective' here, he said some problems common to most AARDO member contries like uneven distribution of productive resources (land and water), degradation of natural resources and environment, adversely affected resources and quality of life.

He said in some countries particularly in Africa, challenges like ethnic conflict, prolonged war and social unrest were additional factors to be grappled with. Problems of poverty, food insecurity, malnutrition and unemployment were hindering development of vast human resources, he added.

It was also disturbing that rural institutions in most member countries were either in rudimentary stage or ineffective.

He said 'we need to take remedial action at the earliest so that the policies and programmes of our governments can be effectively executed for the overall welfare of our people'. India, given its numerical strength, human resources, technology base and vast socio-cultural and economic diversiy, offered valuable insights for various participating countries to take advantage of it, he added.

India had traversed a long distance in the path of human welfare and overall development, despite several odds and a legacy of colonial rule. The country had opted for decentralised planning as an instrument to achieve its goals in a democratic mode.

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