Rural economic scenerio of Manipur

Development of rural economy of an under-developed state like Manipur is a complex exercise because of its multiple problems. Rural economy of the state is handicapped by large scale poverty, unemployment, under-employment and backwardness. Moreover, due to lack of knowledge and physical connectivity people in rural areas cannot take part in the development programmes initiated by the central and state Governments. Development of rural economy is essential because an overwhelming majority of people live in rural areas and, at the same time, development of rural economy is essential to the acceleration of pace of the overall economic development of the state. No development programme can succeed unless it centres around rural development of the state. In the present context of Manipur, rural development is conceived by the Government with the assistance of Government Officials and urban intelligentsia, who have poor knowledge of rural economy. An attempt is made in this paper to study rural economic scenario of Manipur in depth so as to suggest ways and means for a healthy rural life in the state.