Govt approves MoU between Rural Development Ministry and FAO

With the aim to improve effectiveness of rural development programmes, the government recently approved the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Rural Development Ministry and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the MoU, which will support an integrated approach to rural poverty reduction through activities aimed to promote the economic empowerment of rural women, access of rural poor to natural resources and their sustainable use and social protection.

It will strengthen the vertical upscaling of the livelihoods of rural populations that are supported by DAY-NRLM help to develop inclusive and sustainable value chains for key crops and skills development for rural youth, Rural Development Ministry said in a statement.

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY -NRLM) is a flagship rural poverty reduction programme of Rural Development Ministry launched nationwide with the objective of social mobilisation, financial inclusion and sustainable livelihoods promotion.

One of the major focus areas of DAY - NRLM is promotion of existing livelihood portfolios of the rural poor in farm and non-farm sectors.

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The programme aims at creating efficient and effective institutional platforms for the rural poor enabling them to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services, the statement added.

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FAO's programme for rural poverty reduction supports governments and national stakeholders in overcoming the hurdles laced by the rural poor and by aligning agricultural sector and food security policies with broader rural development objectives, it said.

Recently, according to PTI reports the Rural Development Ministry had also signed an MoU with the National Remote Sensing Agency for geo-satellite monitoring of the construction of rural roads and also the roads that have been constructed.