Literally and from the social, economic and political perspectives the statement is valid even today. Around 65% of the State's population is living in rural areas. People in rural areas should have the same quality of life as is enjoyed by people loving in sub urban and urban areas. Further there are cascading effects of poverty, unemployment, poor and inadequate infrastructure in rural areas on urban centres causing slums and consequential social and economic tensions manifesting in economic  deprivation and urban poverty. Hence Rural Development which is concerned with economic growth and social justice, improvement in the living standard of the rural people by providing adequate and quality social services and minimum basic needs becomes essential. The present strategy of rural development mainly focuses on poverty alleviation, better livelihood opportunities, provision of basic amenities and infrastructure facilities through innovative programmes of wage and self-employment. The book covers basic aspects of the subject, provides an example of a student research report. This book provides a separate chapter for each aspects of the subject.

Content - Preface, 1. The Concept of Integrated Rural Development,  2. Current Debates on Trade Policy and Agricultural Development, 3. Status of Food Security and Prospects of Agricultural Development,  4. Gender and Participation in Agricultural Development Planning, 5. Agricultural Marketing and Rural Development, 6. Role of Government Institutions for Promotion of Agriculture and Rural Development,  Bibliography, Index