Economic Conference (1914–1918)
Introduction
The Economic Conference (1914–1918) was an important rural and economic development initiative started by Sir M. Visvesvaraya during his tenure as the Dewan of the princely State of Mysore. The conference aimed at achieving all-round economic progress by improving agriculture, industries, irrigation, education, transport, and rural development. It emphasized scientific planning, modernization, efficient administration, and public participation. The recommendations of the conference contributed to the overall socio-economic development of Mysore and influenced later planning efforts in India. The conference is an important topic for agriculture competitive examinations because it represents one of the earliest organized approaches to planned economic and rural development.
Scheme at a Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Economic Conference |
| Launch Period | 1914–1918 |
| Initiated By | Sir M. Visvesvaraya |
| Location | Mysore |
| Target Beneficiaries | Farmers, rural communities, industries, and the general public |
| Objective | To achieve all-round economic progress |
| Implementing Agency | Government of Mysore |
Objectives
- Achieve all-round economic progress.
- Improve agricultural productivity.
- Develop irrigation facilities.
- Encourage industrial development.
- Promote education and technical training.
- Improve transport and communication.
- Increase employment opportunities.
- Enhance the standard of living of rural people.
Major Features
Agricultural Development
- Promotion of scientific agriculture.
- Improvement in cultivation practices.
- Better utilization of land resources.
- Expansion of irrigation facilities.
- Encouragement of agricultural productivity.
Irrigation Development
- Construction of irrigation projects.
- Efficient utilization of water resources.
- Support for drought-prone agricultural areas.
Industrial Development
- Promotion of indigenous industries.
- Encouragement of entrepreneurship.
- Better utilization of natural resources.
- Employment generation through industrial growth.
Rural Development
- Improvement of village infrastructure.
- Better roads and communication.
- Public health and sanitation initiatives.
- Community welfare programmes.
Education and Skill Development
- Promotion of technical education.
- Development of skilled manpower.
- Encouragement of vocational training.
Economic Planning
- Scientific approach towards development.
- Collection of economic data.
- Sector-wise planning.
- Balanced development of agriculture and industry.
Practice Test
Practice Test
Conclusion
The Economic Conference (1914–1918), initiated by Sir M. Visvesvaraya in Mysore, was one of the earliest organized efforts toward planned economic development in India. Its objective was to achieve all-round economic progress by strengthening agriculture, irrigation, industry, education, infrastructure, and rural development. The conference reflected Visvesvaraya's vision of scientific planning and modernization, laying the foundation for future development programmes. For agriculture competitive examinations, candidates should remember the period (1914–1918), initiator (Sir M. Visvesvaraya), location (Mysore), and objective (all-round economic progress), as these facts are frequently tested in rural development and agricultural history sections.