New Delhi: India has witnessed significant strides in various socio-economic indicators over the past decade. From the expansion of rural infrastructure to the enhancement of agricultural productivity, several key metrics demonstrate the nation’s progress in fostering prosperity and improving the quality of life for its citizens.
According to official data, under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the cumulative person-days generated surged from 220 crore in the fiscal year 2013-14 to 248 crore in FY 2022-23, illustrating the program’s role in providing livelihood opportunities to rural communities.
Rural sanitation access has witnessed a remarkable transformation, with coverage soaring from 39% in 2014 to 100% in 2023, underlining the government’s efforts to ensure hygienic living conditions for all citizens.
The availability of electricity in rural areas has also seen a significant improvement, with the average daily supply increasing from about 12 hours per day in 2014 to approximately 20.6 hours per day in 2023, facilitating socio-economic development and enhancing the quality of life for rural residents.
Infrastructure development, particularly in the realm of connectivity, has been prioritized through initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The road length under PMGSY has more than doubled, expanding from 3.81 lakh kilometers in 2013-14 to 7.3 lakh kilometers in 2022-23, thereby enhancing accessibility and fostering economic growth in rural areas.
Moreover, irrigation access has been augmented, with the percentage of land under irrigation rising from 47.8% in 2013-14 to 55.0% in 2022-23, bolstering agricultural productivity and food security.
Housing for rural communities has been a focus area, with 2.5 crore houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) from 2014 to 2023, supplementing the 1.79 crore houses built under the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) during the preceding years.
Agricultural production has witnessed substantial growth, with food grain production escalating from 265 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2014 to 323.55 MMT in 2023, ensuring an ample supply of essential commodities to meet the nation’s dietary needs.
Similarly, the procurement of pulses has surged from 1.52 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in 2014 to 82.21 LMT in 2023, marking a remarkable 54-fold increase and addressing the demand-supply gap in the market.
The dairy sector has also flourished, with milk production surging from 146.39 million tonnes in 2014 to 221.06 million tonnes in 2023, reflecting the robust growth trajectory of India’s livestock industry.
In the realm of renewable energy, ethanol procurement has witnessed a significant upswing, with volumes soaring from 38 crore litres in 2014 to 434 crore litres in 2023, highlighting the nation’s strides toward energy security and sustainability.
Government expenditure on agriculture has seen a substantial rise, with the agriculture budget escalating from Rs. 21,933 crore in FY 2013-14 to Rs. 1,25,036 crore in FY 2023-24, representing a 5.7-fold increase and underscoring the government’s commitment to bolstering the agricultural sector.
Also, minimum support price (MSP) payments for essential crops such as wheat and paddy have witnessed considerable growth, with payments for wheat increasing from Rs. 2.39 lakh crore (2006-14) to Rs. 4.52 lakh crore (2014-22), and payments for paddy rising from Rs. 3.09 lakh crore (2006-14) to Rs. 10.06 lakh crore (2014-22), providing farmers with greater income security and incentivizing agricultural production.