Rural and Agri-Entrepreneurship: Strengthening Rural Crafts and Allied Sectors for Sustainable Development

Author(s)	Babu Rao Vakada
Country	India
Abstract	Rural and agri-entrepreneurship has emerged as a transformative strategy for inclusive growth, employment generation, and sustainable development in developing economies. In India, where nearly 65 percent of the population resides in rural areas, strengthening rural crafts, agro-based industries, and allied sectors is critical for balanced regional development. This paper examines the role of rural and agri-entrepreneurship in revitalizing traditional crafts, enhancing value addition in agriculture, and promoting sustainable livelihoods. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical methodology using secondary data from government reports, policy documents, and recent literature. It highlights institutional support mechanisms such as the Startup India initiative, PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME), and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The paper concludes that integrating technology, digital marketing platforms, financial inclusion, and skill development initiatives can significantly enhance rural enterprise ecosystems and contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Keywords	Rural Entrepreneurship, Agri-Entrepreneurship, Rural Crafts, Sustainable Development, Allied Sectors, Inclusive Growth
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 2, March-April 2026
Published On	2026-03-30
DOI	https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i02.80871

About IJFMR Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us		+91-9687-828-838	editor@ijfmr.com

International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research