Changing Trends of Rural Development in Pakistan: A Case Study of Village Chinji, District Chakwal

Abstract

Current study is based on empirical evidences collected from the rainfed tract of Pakistan's Punjab. It deals intensively with the current status of rural development activities and the processes adopted to modernize the rain-fed agriculture. The changes in the management of village level development activities through the active participation of the respective communities were examined on the basis of a village level survey conducted in Chakwal District of Northern Punjab. The village Chinji is such a village where in the past, many of the rural development projects have been implemented by different development organizations. The prime aim of this study was to trace the pattern of changes in farming practices, agricultural productivity, socio-political conditions and civic facilities improved under different rural development programs over a specified period of time. During empirical research, several influencing as well as determining factors considered due to their vital importance in shaping the attitudes of rural masses and behavior towards rural development and its dimensions. In this connection, the institutional, socio-political and cultural factors are considered influencing the context of rural development programs that determine the structure and efficiency of developmental efforts. The socio-economic regulatory patterns such as family, caste and ‘biraderi’ as primary social units are playing a dominant role in determining the direction and extent of developmental activities. In addition, the physical and the social environment surrounding the village Chinji have a great impact in shaping the collective actions for the management of rural development programs. The empirical results indicate the importance of agricultural development activities and the processes adopted for their efficient management. The effective developmental process in comparison to other production resources has greater potential to increase agricultural production. The importance of such organizational arrangements is equally valid for the improved management of other developmental activities. Furthermore, rural development activities with socio-political as well as technical dimensions demand a better coordination among the social, political and technical aspects that can be well realized by the establishing local level developmental organizations. xvi The existing social structure of the rural Punjab some time not coincides with the prevailing rural developmental models. In the light of empirical findings, it can be concluded that participatory planning and integration of ultimate beneficiaries in the management and operation of the rural development activities are extremely important. In this regard, the existing socio-economic system mainly comprised of traditional regulatory patterns like caste, biraderi, power, influence, etc., must be paid special attention as the participatory activities related to rural uplift are mainly regulated by these social institutions.