Rural development aims at improving rural peopleâs livelihoods in an equitable and sustainable manner, both socially and environmentally, through better access to assets, and services, and control over productive capital that enable them to improve their livelihoods on a sustainable and equitable basis. The basic objectives of Rural Development Programmes have been alleviation of poverty and unemployment through creation of basic social and economic infrastructure, provision of training to rural unemployed youth and providing employment to marginal Farmers/Labourers to discourage seasonal and permanent migration to urban areas. Rural Development in India is one of the most important factors for the growth of the Indian economy. The Ministry of Rural Development in India is the apex body for formulating policies, regulations and acts pertaining to the development of the rural sector. Agriculture, handicrafts, fisheries, poultry, and diary are the primary contributors to the rural business and economy. Rural development in India has witnessed several changes over the years in its emphasis, approaches, strategies and programmes. Hope this book will be useful to students as reference book and will be a priced collection for their own library.