The document proposes the HABITAT-PURA model of rural development using a cluster-based approach called 9-Gram, 9-Ratna Yojana. This approach groups 9 villages together, each with a specialized focus on agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts etc. and led by a quality leader. The villages are connected by a ring road and central market. At the center is HABITAT's FASAL Plaza, which provides urban amenities and supports agri-businesses through training, financing, marketing and value addition activities. The model aims to improve incomes and quality of life in rural areas through cross-sectoral linkages and synergies between physical, social and economic connectivity and development.

1. Rural Transformation by ‘9-Gram, 9-Ratna Yojana’ under PURA: A Win-Win Strategy for Troubled Farmers Dr Jagveer Rawat Associate Professor of Immunology College of Veterinary Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agri Uni, Hisar EMAIL: ficats@rediffmail.com and Secretary General The Federation of Indian Chambers of Agriculture, Trade and Services With inputs from Prof PV Indiiresan, former Director, IIT-Chennai Dr PS Rana, Chairman and MD, HUDCO, New Delhi

4. Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Ambience or PURA HABITAT is Health Agriculture Biodiversity Innovation Technolology for All-round Transformation

5. Innovation – The Ring Road Ring a loop of villages No overcrowded bazaars No congestion No artificial inflation Of real estate prices Run frequent bus services The Villages become a virtual city Will now support a range of services ViIlages With rail link to city Telecom School Office Industry Hospital Power Food processing Hotel Shops Bus Bus

6. The cost of connectivity is minimised When the Habitat is in the shape of a ring To appreciate why, consider a city 6 km x 5 km in size, with a rectangular grid of main roads spaced 1 km apart As the figure shows, The city has an area of 30 sq. km. Total Main Road Length Will then be 60 km And all points lie within half a km from main roads Advantage of the Ring

7. Not only is road length is halved, So will the length of all infrastructure. Further ecology is superior because Every point lies within Half a km of open spaces too . As the figure shows. Length of Ring Road is 30 km only HALF that of the Rectangular grid Alternately, consider a ring shaped town With same 30 sq.km. built-up area ; also, as before, All points within half a km distance from main road Inner Unbuilt Area

9. Subsidies Low Investment Poor Quality Poor returns Commercial Investment High Quality High returns Reinvestment Vicious Cycle Virtuous Cycle Vicious Cycle, Virtuous Cycle Existing Proposed

10. Physical-Ring Road Social-Habitat Economic-Business Connecting Connectivities Alone, neither physical connectivity (ring road), Nor economic connectivity (businesses) nor social connectivity (habitat) Can sustain. All three together they can – with good management Management

19. National Productivity Council’s Entrepreneurship Model