Growing up in a big city, I’ve always enjoyed the simple luxuries that life has granted me. Be it clean water, reliable electricity, and proper access to quality healthcare service.
However, a recent visit to my hometown village has opened my eyes to the stark realities faced by millions of people in our country.
In fact, these challenges are so major that according to the WHO, rural populations often have limited access to quality healthcare, with many even lacking basic primary care services. (Source: PMC PubMed Central)
So, in this read, we’ll delve into 7 of the biggest challenges faced by rural areas today, while exploring their far-reaching consequences and potential solutions.
Let’s start!
One of the major challenges in rural areas may be the inability to access appropriate financial aid. It could be anything, ranging from adequate banking facilities to financial institutions providing the much-needed monetary services.
Such a financial gap may hinder the ability of the rural population to seek loans or finances to secure small to medium businesses. As a result, it can interfere with the economic and sustainable development of the rural areas.
Other than this, digital financing is yet another challenge, making it difficult for the residents to ensure smooth and timely payments.
Did you know that rural areas rely on traditional energy sources to date?
Addressing the need to transform the energy sources used in rural areas is a major necessity. Instead of relying on wood, fuel, or related energy sources, it’s important to utilize green energy.
Installing solar roof mounts can help maximize the solar energy available throughout the year in the majority of suburban counties. Moreover, other sources like biogas or wind energy may benefit the local region and lead to economic growth in the long run.
From developing solar farms to the installation of solar-powered irrigation systems, such renewable modes of energy can accelerate the quality and quantity of output.
Another common problem faced by the residents of rural areas is a lack of employment opportunities. Most individuals move to cities in search of quality education or reliable earning opportunities.
Further, this can lead to depopulation and minimal innovation in the rural areas. Most people tend to rely on agricultural practices and farming to sustain and earn livelihoods.
That’s where the role of promoting entrepreneurship and grants for similar startups emerges. It may help reduce the gap in the employment sector and further advance such regions in terms of economy and development.
There’s no doubt about the fact that rural areas lack the necessary healthcare and medical infrastructure. While the right to health is a natural right of every citizen, the rural population may face particular challenges in accessing timely healthcare.
This may be due to inadequate medical infrastructure in the form of super specialty hospitals and diagnostic services. Such a limited availability of healthcare services arises in the form of a higher average prevalence of lifestyle disorders and chronic diseases amongst the small town population.
In such cases, telemedicine may be a reliable solution to tackle healthcare disparities and access medical services remotely.
Did you know that rural students face considerable educational disparities and limited resources?
Lack of the right funds may be a major reason behind underdevelopment and under-utilization of educational learning facilities in rural areas. Moreover, most schools or colleges lack qualified and well-trained teachers.
Such issues may degrade the quality of education provided to the youth in less prosperous regions. As a result, it may slow economic growth and continue the vicious cycle of poverty, especially in isolated parts of the country.
Do You Know?
Children living in rural areas are more likely to be out of school when compared to their urban counterparts.
Another major challenge may be rural areas’ improper transport and convenience facilities. Most underdeveloped regions struggle with appropriate infrastructure in the form of good connectivity and sturdy road networks.
Moreover, an incomplete public transport system renders it difficult for the farmers to sell agricultural produce to nearby cities. Such issues promote poverty, limit economic growth, and can hinder the socioeconomic development of rural areas.
A robust infrastructure system involving good-quality road networks, housing, and public transport may be instrumental in accelerating economic growth. Not only will it improve the quality of life, but it also leads to sustainable growth and development.
Digital technology offers a quick, efficient, and reliable solution to every problem. However, rural areas lack digital services, especially internet facilities or e-commerce. This digital divide can interfere with a diverse range of services and create a remarkable economic gap.
Most people in rural areas face difficulty accessing distance education and e-commerce services. Additionally, the lack of digital technology limits the awareness gained through global network platforms.
It can also make remote working quite challenging, thereby reducing the chances of economic upliftment in the long run.
A fast-paced lifestyle involves meeting work deadlines and constantly living on the edge. But it comes with better infrastructure, economic prosperity, and a top-notch healthcare system.
Rural areas lack the basic essentials, which makes life quite complex and filled with hurdles. Moreover, inappropriate healthcare services and infrastructure limit economic growth and prevent sustainable development.
Most individuals find it difficult to access remote working opportunities, e-commerce services, and distance learning modes of education. Not only does it have a long-term impact on economic growth, but it also lowers the quality of life in rural areas.
