Target area and target group planning

In the first fifteen years of planning, the gap between regions grew. So the government began two new approaches.

Target area planning, for regions with special problems:

• the Command Area Development Programme (around irrigation projects);
• the Drought Prone Area Programme;
• the Desert Development Programme;
• the Hill Area Development Programme.

Target group planning, for groups of people: the Small Farmers Development Agency and the Marginal Farmers Development Agency.

Two examples:

• The Hill Area Development Programme (Fifth Plan) covered 15 hill districts. It was recommended that hill areas above 600 metres be treated as backward.
• The Drought Prone Area Programme (Fourth Plan) aimed to create employment and productive assets, through irrigation, afforestation and soil conservation. In 1967, 67 drought-prone districts were identified.