The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), implemented in 2005, is one of the world’s largest public works programs aimed at enhancing livelihood security in rural areas. By guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment to rural households, MGNREGA aims to reduce poverty, create durable assets, and promote sustainable development. In the state of Jharkhand, where poverty levels are high and the rural economy is predominantly agrarian, MGNREGA has played a pivotal role in addressing unemployment and underdevelopment.
One of the key strategies within MGNREGA is the focus on individual asset creation. These assets, ranging from water conservation structures, land development, livestock shelters, to horticulture plantations, are aimed at improving the livelihoods of vulnerable households. Individual asset creation under MGNREGA not only provides immediate income through employment but also contributes to long- term income enhancement by improving agricultural productivity, augmenting water resources, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
