Leslin K Seemon
| 83 views | 4 min read
Rural entrepreneurship is inevitable in the economic growth and development of the country, especially in India, where the majority of the population lives in villages.
About three-fourths of India’s population is living in rural areas out of which 75% of the labour force is still earning its livelihood from agriculture and its allied activities.
The rural entrepreneurs are struggling to grow beyond the boundaries of the rural industry. Due to improper facilities and lack of funds, their businesses often yield to bankruptcy. Here’s how social investing can intervene-
With COVID 19 the situation is far worse, unemployment surges to new peaks and cash flow stay limited only to privileged people. The decreased purchasing power has left rural entrepreneurs in a fit. It has caused huge distress in the informal sector where people often live hand to mouth and are deprived of banking facilities which are essential at such times of peril. They are in immediate need of credit as many of them have depleted their savings.
This calls for a developed ecosystem within the rural settings where financial inclusion, ease of doing business and cash flow are pivotal.
What is Rural Entrepreneurship?
Rural entrepreneurship is an endeavour to organize a business activity in a rural area. Rural entrepreneurship can overcome a large number of social challenges simply through the formation of capital, balanced regional development, general employment and improved standard of life.
We at Rang De aim to enhance entrepreneurial activities in micro-communities by improving the aspects of credit lending and supporting financial inclusion for everyone. This in turn promotes our traditional roots, and artistic values and gives a scope for rural entrepreneurship to strive.
The lack of infrastructure and institutions has attenuated the growth of rural communities at a devastating rate. This has reduced the purchasing power of rural people and the ability to access government schemes and facilities.
With the Entrepreneurship campaign we aim at :
Availing funds at soft terms and conditions increase the prospects of lending to everyone, especially to those who are in dire need of credit. Often new borrowers have turned away from banks due to an absence of credit history.
Rang De aims to bridge the gap between credit deficits and potential businesses through social investing. Through the campaign, we encourage our social investors to come together and raise funds to support rural entrepreneurship. This gives many new borrowers the opportunity to take advantage of credit facilities and mend new ways in their life.
Rang De along with the impact partners select borrowers through a diligence process which includes face-to-face interviews, home visits etc.
After the entrepreneurs are selected they undergo an induction where our impact partners organize training sessions to teach financial literacy, accounting insurance and other business-related aspects.
Our impact partners follow up on these entrepreneurs to help them with any roadblocks they come across, keeping a tab on repayments, and assigning extensive mentoring for those who need more help. This way we ensure that we facilitate development through rural enterprises and encourage activities in rural communities.
Rang De works with trusted Impact partners who have been in the realm of rural entrepreneurship for long. They have developed models and programmes that ensure a smooth transition of borrowers to becoming successful entrepreneurs.
A rise in incomes in rural India can translate into greater productivity and inclusion of rural communities mainly owing to the rural-urban divide that continues to exist.
The entrepreneur's campaign can uplift the standards of living in micro-communities and create a balanced development across the nation.
Visit rangde.in/livelihoods to invest in our entrepreneurs.
