Rather then making a sweeping generalization, let me lay-down some of my own readings of Rural India(n)

Rural Indian is a default entrepreneur – Though not very disciplined, she (he) is a risk taker, wants to be independent and has limited needs but big dreams. This originates typically from their occupation as farmers, which proffers some level of autonomy. Let’s understand the shortcomings (I believe only temporary till education system kicks in) stopping most of them short and the giving a positive flip-side to this existing limitation and how to best make it work for India.

Pro (Things going in favor)

Resource rich – Most farmers are resource rich (in terms of land, house, clean air and water, man power, sheer grit or just local knowledge) and just need some guidance / structure to channelize these resources to best use with new technology (e.g. drip irriation, Hydroponic fodder solutions, Embryo transfer, Sex-selected animal husbandry, biomass and Biogas energy, solar heating solutions etc), new business models (rural tourism), enhancing value (“Pure Foods”, ”semi-processed and Processed Foods”)

  •  To Do – Utilize their resources to make capital efficient businesses
  1. Self Motivated – This gives us a great opportunity to build businesses structured in a manner to allow these people to become stake holders – Success story – Amul Cooperative movement
    • To Do – Give them true sense of ownership and they will innovate, experiment, and flourish
  2. Understanding of local customs for sustainable employment – Best suited for creating secondary employment with-in villages without disturbing the expectations and ensuring appropriate returns and rewards system for team to be constantly motivated
    • To Do – create models allowing a tree structure organization with a top-down approach
  3. Identify BRIDGE People – Someone who understands local aspirations and also corporate expectations and can play a reconciliatory role for the fitment period. Typically families with mixed (Rural / Urban) education background.
    • To Do – Training and Skill Building to create these “New Gen Middle Men Business Facilitators & Co-Partners”
  1. Limitations (Things to work on)

    Negative

    1. Not best suited for corporate jobs demanding salaried discipline
      • To Do – Starting with primary education work up to Skill Development to bridge the Soft-skills gap.
    2. A cultural misfit when seniors come from a very different cultural / educational environment
    3. Job expectations Vs work expectations mismatch as the two participants typically talk different cultural language. Can be mitigated by “Bridge” people
    4. Typical job aspiration is still government job, unfortunately not only for JOB SECURITY
    5. Education still lacking the focus, and will need some more time & effort, to bring the Rural and Urban youth at par. Education can also help bring the temperament of discipline and team work
      • To Do – Create positive aspirations, create interactive sessions and develop role models for better message delivery

Lots of work to do.. So we welcome any and all support to partner with us in this journey. Benevolent CSR funding for capacity building and prrof of concept models. Equity investors to help create Sustainable and Profitable business models