Planning for rural development in Nepal : a case study of Hasandaha, Suda and Thokarpa village development areas

Abstract

This research analyses the evolution of rural development planning in Nepal and assesses the effects of rural development planning through the case study conducted in Suda, Thokarpa and Hasandaha village development areas (VDAs). The study also examines the effectiveness of approaches to and strategies for rural planning adopted by the development agencies. The study identified that the most significant era of rural development planning was the Modern Era (1990-2008) in comparison to the directive planning era, Rana, and even before the Rana regime in Nepal. Currently, most of the development programs and Government agencies are advocating using the participatory planning approach. This study showed that a very small number of rural residents participate in the development process. The majority of development experts also recommended an inclusive approach to rural development planning instead of the participatory, integrated, strategic and spatial approaches. The current rural development planning policy, approaches and strategies were not effective in reducing poverty in the study area. The study also concludes that a specific rural development policy is required for effective rural planning. The research recommends that an appropriate inclusive approach be adopted for rural planning. Development activists and agencies should adopt the inclusive approach rather than the participatory approach since the participatory approach raises the expectations of the people rather than providing solutions to the issues faced in rural areas. The Government of Nepal should redesign its' poverty line measuring techniques and tools. Regular independent research is also required to identify the level of poverty line since there has been no reduction in the percentage of the population living below the poverty line as claimed by the Government. Development agencies, Government agencies, NGOs, and private sector institutions should adopt the rural development planning strategies to apply as suggested in the 5I-Cycle model. These strategies are: i) inclusion of indigenous economic resources with innovation; ii) fostering power to inhabitants at all levels; iii) addressing rural areas comprehensively; iv) enhancing social dignity and access to economic opportunities; and v) providing access to inclusive microfinance services. Institutional or Government purchase has to increase by at least two times the national level annual average GDP deflator rate times the existing institutional purchase of VDAs to control economic deprivation in the rural areas. The VDA model should also yield household income growth at least two times that of the national level annual average GDP deflator growth rate to offset the inflationary shocks in the rural areas and reduce the percentage of the population living below the poverty line.