Indigenous startup and rural economyImage Credit Source: Getty Images
Rural economy powered by startups: India’s strength is settled in the villages here. Here farming, handicrafts and traditional skills have always been the support of people’s livelihood. But with the change of time, the economy of villages has also started struggling with challenges. In such a situation, now Swadesi startups are coming out as a new hope, which are changing the picture of the villages.
Nowadays a new wave is going on where young entrepreneurs are connecting their roots with modern markets. Such as Ayurveda, handicrafts and agriculture. Industries associated with these traditional heritage are now emerging in modern methods. Because of them, not only this ancient knowledge is getting alive, but employment and self -reliance in the villages are also increasing.
Easy journey from villages to direct market
For example, Ayurveda startups collect herbs from rural areas and turn them into oil, powder and skincare products. This gives direct benefits to the farmer families and traditional farming also gets new life. Along with this, smart handicrafts are starting to reach the customers directly from the villages, due to which the link between the hallway to the market is breaking.
Rural women are becoming self -reliant
The biggest thing in the positive aspects of these startups is that these rural women and youth are making them self -reliant. The migration from the village to the city is decreasing because both work and opportunities are being born here. Also, rural products are now reaching the whole country through digital marketing and e-commerce. This change is bringing back cultural identity, economic strength and self-respecting- bringing back to the villages.
How are the pictures of villages changing?
Today many startups are working in areas like farming, Ayurveda, handloom, organic food and handicrafts. As-
- Farming and organic products– Farmers are now able to sell their grains, vegetables and fruits directly online. This reduced the needs of middlemen and increased the income of farmers.
- Ayurveda and herbs-Oils, medicines and cosmetics made from the herbs of the villages are now competing with big brands.
- Handicrafts and handloomEarlier, the goods of the artisans of the village were identified by just the fair, but now the same goods are being sold on e-commerce sites.
What are the challenges
However, the challenges in this path are also no less. The biggest problem was funding and lack of technical assistance. These startups in small villages are often difficult to deliver raw materials, quality and customers. The lack of education and marketing channels from above also remains a hindrance in their development. Nevertheless, if the government and policy makers make assistance, training and financial plans for them-then this model can become an example of rural development in the whole country. Through these startups, we can create not only financially strong but also socially responsible communities.