Microfinance and Rural Development: A Study of Aligarh District, Uttar Pradesh

An estimation of about 40 millions in India and around 1.5 billion population worldwide live in absolute poverty. They are unable to meet their basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. According to census 2011, more than 65%%%% of India's population living in rural areas and directly or indirectly depends upon agriculture to earn their livelihood, meaning thereby poverty and unemployment are the offshoots of their dependence on agriculture (Khan, 2014). Since 1947, the absolute number of poor has doubled despite the significant growth in agriculture production and employment over the past six decades of development planning.