Determining Indicators of Model Villages

Indian villages are repositories of natural resources and potential human capital sheltering more than two third of population and ensuring the country's food and nutritional security through its agriculture and allied activities. To strengthen India's global position in agriculture and self sufficiency, there is a need to develop our villages into ‘Model Villages’ which will be pioneers of self sufficiency and prosperity. But what can be the indicators of a Model Village? The present study conducted in ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) standardises indicators of Model Villages. Five broad indicators of Model Village, namely, Infrastructural, Economic, Farming, Social and Environmental Indicators were identified and weightages were assigned through eexpert consultation. The study revealed the relative importance of the five broad indicators, namely, Farming (25%), Infrastructural (24%), Economic (21%), Social (16%) and Environmental Indicators (14%) in shaping up a Model Village. A total of 76 sub indicators were standardized by ensuring a relevancy percentage above 70%. The sub indicators with the levels of quantification were finalised through various expert consultations in brainstorming sessions held in ICAR-NDRI on the basis of which the Model Village Potential Index was developed. An index value above 80.00 was deemed to be fit for a village to achieve Model Village status.