IRDP Full Form

IRDP stands for Integrated Rural Development Program, and it was first launched and established in the year 1978, by the government of India, and was implemented after two years, that is to say, in the year 1980. The idea behind the launching of the Integrated Rural Development Program, IRDP, is to provide opportunities for employment to the poor in the rural area and also to provide the necessary subsidy to those who are below the poverty line, and thus enhancing the standard of living of many.

Other than providing employment to the poor, it also aims to develop essential skills for the poor as well, and by developing the skill, the poor can make themselves more employable, and therefore, their standard of living can be improved, as well. The Integrated Rural Development Program, IRDP, is regarded as one of the best programs for solving the problem of poverty and for helping those who fell below the poverty line.

Composition and Structure of IRDP

IRDP targets the small and marginal farmers by advancing credits to them under this scheme. According to the Eight Plan, a person earning lower than Rs 11000 falls below the poverty line. 

The fFull fForm of IRDP in Agriculture is the Integrated Rural Development Program. The scheme is implemented through the District Rural Development Agencies or DRDA’s. It is composed of the sitting MP, MLA, chairman of Zila Parishad, officers of development departments, representatives of SC, ST, and women. 

The Central Funds are allocated by the Ministry of Rural Development. This Ministry is also entrusted with the responsibility of policy formulation, providing guidance, and monitoring the implementation of the program across the country. 

Allotment of Subsidies under the Integrated Rural Development Program, IRDP.

The scope of IRDP can be only understood in context to its vast scope of activity. The Central Government advances credits to the farmers through commercial banks, co-operatives, regional rural banks, and also through RRB’s. Let’s look at the different subsidies provided by the government to the marginal section of the population:

• The rural farmers, labourers, marginal farmers, schedule cast, and scheduled tribe, and economically backward classes whose annual income is less than 11,000 are the beneficiaries of the Integrated Rural Development Program, IRDP.

• A subsidy of 33.3 per cent is given to those farmers who are considered as marginal farmers, and also to the agricultural labourers.

• The family who belongs to the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe and the differently abled person get a 50 per cent subsidy.

• Women are entitled to have a 3 per cent subsidy under this scheme of Integrated Rural Development Program, IRDP.

• Also, for SC and ST families, the maximum amount has been fixed at Rs. 6000, while the differently abled person can have a maximum of Rs. 4000 subsidy.

• Scheduled caste and scheduled tribe families, women, and differently-abled people get 50 per cent, 40 per cent, and 3 per cent guaranteed subsidies, respectively. 

Key Features of IRDP Program

The IRDP program is not a technique but a way to lift the poorest above the poverty line. The full meaning of IRDP abbreviation is the Integrated Rural Development Program. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of this program:

• IRDP is a self-employment guarantee scheme launched in 1978-79 across 2300 blocks in the country.

• Centrally sponsored scheme shared on a 50:50 ratio between the states.

• The person below the poverty line can avail this program.

• The program targets small, marginal, agricultural laborers and sharecroppers.

• Members of SC, ST, and women get the major subsidy as they have been subjugated to economic and social suppression for years.

IRDP has been an incremental effort from the Government of India. Although the program has been criticized for poor implementation at the ground level, it has been largely successful in alleviating poverty. So, it has been largely helpful in reducing the poverty line to a great extent.