(i) RRBs came into existence in 1975.
(ii) They develop the rural economy by providing credit and other facilities to the small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, artisans and small entrepreneurs.
(iii) RRBs are set up by the joint efforts of the Centre and State governments and commercial banks.
(iv) At present there are 64 RRBs.
(v) The RRBs confine their lending only to the weaker sections and their lending rates are at par with the prevailing rate of co-operative societies.

Subsidiary Occupation: To reduce seasonal unemployment, rural people should take subsidiary occupation. Loans should be granted and proper arrangements should be made for marketing their products.
Rural works programme: Construction and maintenance of roads, digging of drains, canals should be planned during off season to provide gainful employment to the unemployed.
Irrigation facilities: Since rainfall is uncertain irrigation facilities should be expanded to enable the farmers to follow multiple cropping which would create additional jobs.
Rural industrialization: To create employment new industries should be set up in rural areas by the government but private sector would not do this.
Technical Education: Employment oriented courses should be introduced in schools and colleges to help the literate youth to start their own units.

1. 20 Point Programme - 1975
2. Integrated Rural Development Programme - 1978
3. Training Rural Youths for Self-Employment - 1979
4. Food for Work Programme - 1977
5. National Rural Employment Programme - 1980
6. Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme - 1983
7. Jawahar Rozgar Yojana - 1989
8. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme - 2006
9. Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Sadak Yojana - 2010
10. Bharat Nirman Yojana - 2005
11. Indira Awas Yojana - 1985
12. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission - 2005
13. Rajiv Awas Yojana - 2009
14. National Rural Health Mission - 2005
15. National Rural Livelihood Mission - 2011
16. National Food Security Scheme - 2013

(i) The distribution of land is highly skewed in rural areas. Majority of rural people work as hired labour to support their families.
(ii) Lack of non-farm employment: The excess supply of labour in rural areas reduce the wages and increases the incidence of poverty
(iii) Lack of public sector investment: The root cause of rural poverty in our  country is lack of public sector investment on human resource development.
(iv) Inflation: Steady increase in prices affects the purchasing power of the rural poor leading to rural poverty.
(v) Low Productivity: Low Productivity of rural labour and farm activities is a cause and effect of poverty.
(vi) Unequal benefit of growth: The gaîns of economic development are enjoyed by the urban rich people leading to concentration of wealth. Due to defective economic structure and policies, the gains of growth are not reaching the poor.
(vii) Low rate of economic growth: The rate of growth of India is always below the target and it has benefited the rich. The poor are always denied of the benefits of growth.
(viii) More emphasis on large industries: Huge investment in large industries catering to the needs of middle and upper classes in urban areas. Such industries are capital intensive and so do not create more jobs. The poor are not in a position to get employment or to come out of social evils. Social evils like customs, beliefs increase unproductive expenditure.

(i) Rural development is very important for the overall growth and development of Indian economy.
(ii) A major share of population lives in rural areas. Their development and contributions support the nation building activities.
(iii) The rural economy supports the urban sector by supplying drinking water, milk, food and raw materials.
(iv) Improvements in education, health and sanitation in villages can help avoid urban problems like begging, rack picking and roadside slumming.
(v) Development of agriculture and allied activities are necessary for providing gainful employment in rural areas and improving overall food production.
(vi) The evils of brain-drain and rural-urban migration can be reduced if rural areas are developed.
(vii) In order to better utilise the unused and under-utilised resources, there is a need to develop the rural economy.
(viii) Rural development would reduce the gap between rural and urban areas in terms of infrastructure. It was called PURA by former President Abdul Kalam.
(ix) In order to improve the nation's status in the global arena in terms of economic indicators like Human Development Index, Women Empowerment Index, Gender Disparity Index, Physical Quality of Life Index and Gross National Happiness Index rural development should be given due attention.