Boosting Rural Economy Key to Curb Urban Migration: Nitin Gadkari
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday highlighted the urgent need to strengthen agriculture growth and enhance purchasing power in rural areas, as a strategic move to stem the migration of youth from villages to urban centers.
Speaking at a public event, the senior BJP leader pointed out that the disparity in income and opportunities between rural and urban India is one of the core reasons for young people leaving their villages in search of livelihoods in cities like Delhi and Mumbai. “If agriculture growth rate increases, then rural youth will not be forced to migrate to metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai for livelihood,” said Gadkari.
He expressed concern that while the government’s minimum support prices (MSPs) for several agricultural crops are significantly higher than commercial market prices, the rural economy still lacks the dynamism needed to sustain young workers. Gadkari emphasized that raising the growth rate in agriculture would have a direct impact on the purchasing power of the rural population, leading to broader economic empowerment and self-reliance in villages.
In addition to agriculture, the Union Minister made a strong pitch for the greater utilization of bamboo, calling it a “green gold” capable of transforming rural economies and reducing India’s energy dependence on imported fossil fuels. He outlined the multiple ways in which bamboo can be integrated across various sectors to create employment, promote sustainability, and support innovation. Bamboo, he noted, has the potential to be a low-cost, eco-friendly alternative to coal, and can also play a critical role in construction and the production of bio-CNG and charcoal. “Bamboo can be used in the energy sector, in construction, and for making bio-CNG and charcoal. It can reduce our reliance on fossil fuel imports,” Gadkari said.
The Minister further recommended that top institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) be engaged to undertake research and development in bamboo technologies. He proposed that this be supported through special financial assistance from the government under the National Bamboo Mission, an initiative aimed at promoting bamboo cultivation and its industrial applications. Gadkari’s remarks reflect a broader vision of rural development through innovation, sustainable practices, and economic diversification. He suggested that bamboo-based industries could generate significant rural employment, especially in states with high bamboo availability.
The Minister’s speech aligns with ongoing government efforts to revitalize rural infrastructure, promote value addition in agriculture, and support green technologies. His focus on non-conventional resources such as bamboo underscores the potential of integrating climate-conscious planning with economic growth at the grassroots level.
As India seeks to balance its rapid urbanization with sustainable rural advancement, initiatives like these—if implemented effectively—could help achieve both economic equity and environmental resilience.
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