UP PCS Mains-2024

Approach Define innovation. Highlight the potential of rural Uttar Pradesh. Discuss the role of innovation in the socio-economic development of rural Uttar Pradesh. Conclude on a positive note

Introduction

Innovation is a process by which a domain, product, or service is renewed and brought up to date by applying new processes, introducing new techniques, or establishing successful ideas to create new value. The creation of value is a defining characteristic of innovation.

Uttar Pradesh has been ranked 7^th in the category of 17 major states in the India Innovation Index-2021 released by NITI Aayog, Uttar Pradesh has registered significant gains in promoting an innovative business environment with a large base of internet subscribers and a safe ecosystem for further investment in the region.

Body

The potential of rural Uttar Pradesh:

• As per the Census 2011, out of the total population of Uttar Pradesh, 77.73 percent population live in rural areas.
• The state has potential in the Food Processing Sector. For example, it is largest producer of milk and vegetables.
• Agricultural practices, farm-related activities, and rural culture are potential tourist attractions under Agro-Rural Tourism.
• The major art forms of the state are concentrated in rural areas such as painting, sculpturing, metal craft, wood, stone, and clay. These art forms can give boost to the MSME sector and One District One Product initiative in rural Uttar Pradesh.

The role of innovation in the socio-economic development of rural Uttar Pradesh:

• Agriculture and Food Processing: The use of new technologies has led to higher agricultural productivity. For example, the use of drones for monitoring and spraying pesticles and under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, using satellite data to monitor crop loss.
• Credit Facility: Financial innovations like Direct Benefit Transfer and Kisan Credit Card has promoted financial inclusion in the rural areas.
• Education: The online rural education initiative ‘Pahal’ was launched by Uttar Pradesh government with the aim to provide education to rural communities through online platform.
• Rural Digitalisation: The use of Jandhan Aadhar-Mobile (JAM) trinity has led to the penetration of digital technology in rural areas.
• Health: Uttar Pradesh has planned to establish 500 telemedicine centres in rural areas. Zimmedari Nibhao Mobile App to plan, track and analyse the provisioning of family planning services in the state on a regular basis.

Conclusion

The government led innovations have increased the pace of reach and coverage of programme and reduced the timeline to achieve the targets to realize the idea of ‘Gram Uday se Bharat Uday’, we need grassroot innovations.