In depth

17.06.2005 Providing insurance services to the working poor in the rural sector is a major challenge for both community-based organisations and the government alike. Micro and public insurance programmes present an interesting opportunity to enhance the social protection level of poor households by managing their risks significantly.

17.06.2005 The heterogeneity of poor, food insecure people and the communities in which they reside necessitates a portfolio approach in which policy makers, programme managers and donor agencies may consider selecting from a choice vector of different instruments, including IT-based to respond to emerging needs.

16.06.2005 Effective utilisation of ICT has the potential to make the rural communities in India prosperous. Failure to exploit the benefits of ICT would make them isolated, victims of the vicious cycle of poverty and widen the gap between the haves and have nots, thereby affecting social equality and livelihood security.

14.06.2005 Rural India should be given a chance through digital networks for farmers, e- ooperatives, and digital SMEs to usher in a “digital inclusion” for fostering rural prosperity and grassroots level development.

14.06.2005 The substantial increase in the budgetary allocation for rural development reflects the strong commitment of the Central Government to sustainable development in rural areas and also towards creating more livelihoods opportunities.

13.06.2005 It is essential to make the community realise the need and importance of such ICT interventions, which can help them in improving the quality of their life. However, such projects can become sustainable in the long run only if they help in the improvement of livelihood patterns.

13.06.2005 ICTs, when used in a participatory, collaborative and locally relevant manner, can play a significant role in improving livelihoods and alleviating poverty.