Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the 77th Session of the Executive Committee (EC-77) of the African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) in New Delhi on February 19, 2025. The two-day event, taking place from February 19-20, 2025, is being organized at AARDO’s headquarters with the support of the Government of India. The session has brought together senior officials, including Secretaries and Permanent Secretaries from AARDO member countries across Asia and Africa, to deliberate on crucial aspects of rural and agricultural development.
Welcoming international delegates with the Indian ethos of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava,’ Minister Chouhan highlighted the critical role of rural development in shaping the future of both Asia and Africa. He stressed that improving the living standards of rural populations is crucial for national progress, given that nearly 70% of India’s population resides in rural areas. Acknowledging AARDO’s collaborative efforts, he detailed India’s initiatives to address unemployment and poverty through various government schemes.
Reflecting on India’s agricultural revolution, he credited the Harit Kranti (Green Revolution) for transforming the country from a food-importing nation to an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), significantly contributing to global food security. Highlighting the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), he mentioned that 10 crore rural women have been connected to 90 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs). He also elaborated on initiatives like the Lakhpati Didi, aimed at ensuring every rural woman earns at least Rs 1 lakh per year, with 1.25 crore women already achieving this milestone.
Highlighting the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme, Chouhan stated that Rs 4.40 crore has been allocated to farmers to promote rural entrepreneurship. He also detailed the Gareebi Mukt Gaon (poverty-free villages) initiative, which focuses on job creation, particularly for women. The Amrit Sarovar scheme, another landmark program, is developing 75 water reservoirs in every district, with 68,000 already completed.
Chouhan also highlighted the large-scale afforestation efforts, with 88 lakh trees planted across India. He reaffirmed his personal commitment to planting one tree daily, following PM Modi’s tradition of planting a tree every year in his mother’s name.
Other flagship initiatives mentioned included the PM Gram Sadak Yojana, MNREGA, the construction of concrete houses for villagers, and the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY). He also announced that the Government of India has provided USD 155,000 to AARDO, along with additional technical support from various ministries.
Dr. Nardeosingh, Secretary General of AARDO, highlighted the challenges of the evolving rural landscape and the importance of technology in agriculture and rural development. He emphasized the implementation of advanced solutions such as AI, drones, IT-based farming techniques, and the GRIN Initiative (GIS, Robotics, Informatics, and Nanotechnology). He also spoke about capacity-building programs aimed at empowering rural youth, particularly women, through offline and online training sessions in English, Arabic, and French. Stressing AARDO’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he underlined key focus areas like poverty eradication, clean water access, and climate action. Additionally, he announced plans to celebrate 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives under the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.”
Amin Abdul-Rahaman, Chief Director of Ghana’s Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, who serves as the President of AARDO’s Executive Committee, reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to collaborative rural development with AARDO. He emphasized Ghana’s collaboration with AARDO on various capacity-building programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting economic growth, and enhancing food production systems. He also highlighted the importance of education programs and empowering rural women as key drivers of sustainable development.
One of the primary objectives of EC-77 is to set the groundwork for the upcoming 21st General Session of the AARDO Conference, which will take place at the same venue in New Delhi. The committee is expected to propose nominations for the President and two Vice Presidents (one each from Asia and Africa) for the 2025-2027 term, alongside deliberating the Work Programme and Budget Estimates for the triennium.
The session also reviewed AARDO's Human Resource Development Programme, Development Pilot Projects, and the operations of its six regional offices in Asia and Africa. Key discussions focused on revising membership contributions to ensure sustainable funding for AARDO's future projects.
Following the 77th Executive Committee session, the 21st General Session of the AARDO Conference will begin, setting the agenda for the upcoming years. Additionally, the 78th Session of the Executive Committee is scheduled for February 25, 2025.
