Status of Rural Entrepreneurs in Post Pandemic Situation: A Study in Selected Blocks in Nadia District of West Bengal, India

Abstract

India is a rural-based country. The economic development of our country is largely dependent on the development of the rural sector. In rural areas, people are shifting their source of income from agriculture to entrepreneurship. According to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the registration portal for entrepreneurs has registered more than 51% of rural entrepreneurs so far, but the rural entrepreneurs are deprived in many ways. They are facing different challenges due to not having proper educational qualifications, lack of skills, insufficient capital, lack of management skills, and various others. The research paper asserted the present status of rural entrepreneurs after the pandemic. The aim of the research was to study the socio-economic profile, entrepreneurship profile, the impact of lockdown, and psychological factors associated with rural entrepreneurship. In this study, Ranaghat-II and Chakdaha Blocks of Nadia district in West Bengal were selected purposively. 15 rural entrepreneurs from each block were selected as samples and data were collected from 30 respondents by using a semi-structured interview schedule. Various aspects of business, their socio-economic condition, entrepreneur's profile, the impact of lockdown on their enterprises and psychological impact have been studied. It has been found that most of the rural entrepreneurs know about different govt facilities related to MSME and SIDBI but did not get any support from the govt schemes during the period of lockdown. A major section of the entrepreneurs (88 %) faced uncertainty in their livelihood and faced psychological problems due to different adverse entrepreneur situations that arose during the lockdown period. Rural entrepreneurship is still very much deprived. Despite having government schemes, they were not able to get that. They need more skill-based training, financial support and managerial assistance and also more women’s participation in this field will boost the rural economy as a whole.