Rural Economic Growth Research Articles

Exploring the entrepreneurial behavior of vegetable growers: influential factors and implications for agricultural development

IntroductionEntrepreneurship in agricultural sector is a key enabler of rural development and economic growth. This research delves into the entrepreneurial behavior of vegetable growers involved in polyhouse protected farming and focuses on the factors that influence their entrepreneurial pursuits.MethodsThe research employed a mixed sampling methodology and the data collection was done by personally interviews. Whereas, data were analyzed using various statistical techniques including Entrepreneurial behavior index computation and Kendall’s tau correlation.ResultsThe results of the study reveal noteworthy associations between factors such as farm income, experience in protected cultivation, area allocated for polyhouse cultivation and extension contact with entrepreneurial behavior. Notably, income consistently demonstrated a positive correlation with all aspects of entrepreneurial behavior, while experience and extension contact also exhibited significant positive relationships. Conversely, education level displayed a negative correlation with risk-taking ability but a positive correlation with other dimensions such as cosmopoliteness and innovativeness. However, family size and gender did not demonstrate significant associations with entrepreneurial behavior.DiscussionThe findings underscored the intricate nature of entrepreneurial behavior among vegetable growers which necessitate tailored interventions to foster entrepreneurship in this sector. The research recommends policy measures like financial incentives, enhanced access to extension services and promoting collaboration among polyhouse cultivators to encourage entrepreneurship. These initiatives aim to overcome financial barriers, improve technical knowledge and address structural challenges, ultimately fostering sustainable entrepreneurship and agricultural development.

Enhancing Rural Economic Sustainability in China Through Agricultural Socialization Services: A Novel Perspective on Spatial-Temporal Dynamics

Rural economic development faces significant challenges in the context of rapid urbanization and agricultural transformation, particularly in developing countries like China. Agricultural socialization services (ASSs) play a crucial role in promoting rural economic sustainability by enhancing household income and fostering regional development. This study investigates the impact of ASSs on rural economic sustainability in China from both temporal and spatial perspectives, employing the entropy weight method, double fixed effects model, and Spatial Durbin Model. Analyzing panel data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2021 reveals significant positive effects of ASSs on rural income, along with spatial spillovers to neighboring regions. The results highlight regional heterogeneity in the impact of ASSs, with the eastern region benefiting from local spillovers, while the central and western regions gain from intensification and scale effects. These findings suggest that policymakers should adopt region-specific ASSs strategies, such as facilitating technology transfer in the eastern regions while leveraging intensification and scale advantages in the central and western regions, to optimize the effectiveness of agricultural support measures. Moreover, the relationship between ASSs and rural income exhibits a non-linear trend across various urbanization stages, implying that ASS policies should be tailored to the specific challenges and opportunities associated with different levels of urbanization to maximize their impact on rural economic sustainability. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing ASSs, tailoring policies to local conditions, and harnessing the role of ASSs in the urbanization process to promote inclusive rural development and foster sustainable rural economic growth.

Digital Finance as a Catalyst for Energy Transition and Sustainable Rural Economic Growth

This paper uses provincial level data from 2011 to 2020 in China to analyse the role and mechanism of digital finance in the sustainable growth of China's rural economy. We find that digital finance promotes sustainable rural economic growth by accelerating China's rural energy transition. When the level of rural energy transition exceeds the threshold, the promoting effect is stronger. As the level of regional digital finance development increases, its promoting effect on energy transition and sustainable economic growth also becomes stronger. Compared to the breadth of coverage and depth of use, the degree of digitization has the greatest impact.

Regional Applications of Drone Data Processing Technology in Vietnamese Coffee Plantations

Vietnam, the world’s second-largest coffee producer, faces challenges such as inconsistent quality, inefficient farming, and climate change. Drone data processing technology offers transformative solutions, especially in the Central Highlands, by providing high-resolution data on crop health, soil conditions, pests, and irrigation. Key applications, including precision agriculture, targeted irrigation, and yield estimation, enhance productivity, reduce waste, and promote sustainability. Drone adoption fosters rural economic growth and positions Vietnam as a leader in sustainable coffee production. This paper examines the role of drones in revolutionizing Vietnamese coffee farming while addressing environmental and economic challenges.

An Impact Analysis of Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP): A Case Study in Baramulla District of Jammu & Kashmir

The study aims to evaluate the impact of the Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) in Baramulla District, Jammu & Kashmir, focusing on agricultural productivity, and socio-economic benefits for local communities. In the current study, the Rafiabad area was selected as Kashmir’s first IWMP (Integrated Watershed Management Programme) was implemented in 2011-12. A multi-stage random sampling design was used for sample collection. Accordingly, 100 beneficiary samples/ respondents were selected randomly from the 13 villages, respectively. Considering the non-beneficiary respondents to be 25 per cent of the beneficiary respondents, i.e., 25 non-beneficiary farmers were selected randomly from the neighbouring villages where the IWMP project is not implemented for the comparative study which makes a way to find out the difference between the watershed and non-watershed implemented villages, respectively making it a total of 125 respondents. The three main characteristics of the watershed development methods are, supporting rural economic growth, creating jobs, and restoring ecological equilibrium. The cultivated area, production, and productivity of major crops showed a significant change in the post-IWMP scenario in relation to the pre-IWMP conditions. The project helped increase in majority of the farm and livestock inventories. The cropping intensity among the beneficiaries in the present scenario is 151.36 per cent against the pre-IWMP levels of 116.54 per cent and 110.68 per cent among the non-beneficiaries which depicts the positive development in the cropping pattern among the beneficiary farmers. There was a 34.70 per cent surge in employment among the beneficiaries against the pre-IWMP levels and it was also found that presently, the employment was 9.08 per cent higher among the beneficiaries compared to non-beneficiaries which shows the prominence of the IWMP project.

Corn Agroindustry Supply Chain Management in Indonesia: Increasing Added Value and Competitiveness through the Hayami Method

The agro-industry serves as a crucial intermediary for transforming agricultural societies into industrial ones, contributing to a balanced economic structure. This sector processes agricultural products through various methods, adding value and yielding higher profits than raw commodities. Corn, a staple in Indonesian agriculture, is predominantly cultivated with limited post-harvest activities, impeding rural economic growth. This study examines the supply chain management of the corn agro-industry to enhance value addition and competitiveness. Utilizing the Hayami method, the research identifies stages in the corn processing chain, including cleaning, grinding, filtering, and drying, and evaluates the value added at each stage. The analysis reveals that the supply chain involves multiple stakeholders, from farmers to retailers, and highlights the disparity in value addition among different actors. The study concludes that effective supply chain management, risk mitigation, and strategic interventions are vital for sustaining the corn agro-industry. Recommendations include extended mentorship for farmers and the implementation of efficient production practices to ensure long-term sustainability and economic growth.

Research on the Development Path of Rural E-Commerce in Supporting Rural Revitalization

With the rapid development of information technology, rural e-commerce is playing an increasingly important role in promoting rural economic growth, increasing farmers' incomes, and driving rural revitalization. This paper begins by defining rural e-commerce and analyzing its characteristics, current development status both domestically and internationally, and exploring the close connection between e-commerce and rural revitalization. By investigating multiple development paths through which rural e-commerce supports rural revitalization-including industrial structure optimization, market expansion for agricultural products, development of rural human resources, and improvement of information infrastructure—this paper reveals the critical role of rural e-commerce in achieving the goals of rural revitalization. Additionally, it presents relevant policy recommendations and solutions to the challenges faced by rural e-commerce development while forecasting future trends in rural e-commerce.

Agro - Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Steps to Tackle them for Small Scale Agro – Entrepreneurs

Agro-entrepreneurship presents a dynamic path for rural development, economic growth, and sustainable agriculture because it sits at the intersection of agricultural methods and entrepreneurial spirit. The complex fabric of agro-entrepreneurship is explored in this study, with a particular emphasis on the difficulties encountered by small-scale agro-entrepreneurs in Kerala. As this project develops, its goals are to identify the difficulties small-scale agro-entrepreneurs in Kerala encounter, as well as to provide practical solutions and mitigating measures. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the obstacles experienced by small-scale agricultural entrepreneurs and to evaluate potential solutions for these problems. The perishable nature of the products is the primary important problem since improper storage of agricultural production can lead to large financial losses. One of the great rivalries these smallbusiness owners faced came from interstate sellers of agricultural supplies. Their large-scale, low-cost production processes in surrounding states enable them to sell their products at discounted prices. Government departments must constantly keep an eye on the shipment of goods that include chemical fertilizers. Governments at all levels should loosen the restrictions for the establishment of new agro companies in order to avoid delays in the development of new units. Another strategy to prevent harmful competition is to enforce laws and regulations from the government.

Analyzing the socially sustainable impacts of private investments in the mining sector in rural areas

This study examines the effect of private investment in the mining sector on social sustainability across nine ASEAN countries from 2005 to 2021 using the CS-ARDL panel data approach. The results indicate a negative relationship between private mining investment and social sustainability, with reductions of 0.15% in the short term and 0.59% in the long term, due to environmental degradation, income inequality, and economic volatility. A 1% increase in rural GDP also leads to declines in social sustainability by 0.03% and 0.17% in the short and long term, respectively, underscoring the need for eco-friendly economic activities. Additionally, inflation reduces social sustainability, while rural internet access significantly improves it. To encourage sustainable investment, policies should focus on green finance, sustainable literacy, risk mitigation, and rural economic growth aligned with sustainable development principles.

Influencing Factors of Sustainable Rural Entrepreneurship: A Four-Dimensional Evaluation System Encompassing Entrepreneurs, Economy, Society, and Environment

The implementation of rural entrepreneurship emerges as a pivotal pathway for fostering rural economic growth. However, unsustainable entrepreneurial endeavors have posed notable ecological threats and environmental degradation. Drawing upon the triple bottom line framework, this research devised a comprehensive evaluation system for sustainable rural entrepreneurship, spanning four dimensions: entrepreneurs, economic, social, and environmental aspects. Employing the fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DANP) approach, we delineated the intricate causal relationships among influencing factors and identified key determinants along with their respective weights. Our findings underscore the prominence of economic dimensions in fostering sustainable rural entrepreneurship. Specifically, entrepreneurial motivation, type of entrepreneurship, financial backing, economic value, favorable policy frameworks, and a conducive business environment emerged as pivotal indicators. Notably, the type of entrepreneurship, financial support, economic value, and favorable policies emerged as propelling factors driving sustainable rural entrepreneurial progress. Conversely, entrepreneurial motivation and the business environment manifested as dependent factors within this causal nexus. This study offers valuable managerial implications for entrepreneurial teams and pertinent government agencies, enabling decision-makers to formulate evidence-based strategies aimed at realizing sustainable rural entrepreneurship.

Disparities in Environmental Behavior from Urban–Rural Perspectives: How Socioeconomic Status Structures Influence Residents’ Environmental Actions—Based on the 2021 China General Social Survey Data

This study explores the environmental behavior disparities between urban and rural residents in China due to socioeconomic status differences amidst social governance and institutional reform. Using OLS regression models on the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) data, it analyzes the impact of socioeconomic status on environmental behaviors. This study reveals that urban residents generally exhibit better environmental behaviors than rural residents. Education and income are identified as critical drivers, with education raising environmental awareness and income driving participation in environmental activities. Urban residents benefit more from these factors. The policy recommendations are for the government to enhance rural education resources and improve education quality, ensuring that education poverty alleviation policies are effectively implemented to support rural development. Simultaneously, promoting rural economic growth and narrowing the urban–rural economic gap is crucial for improving rural environmental behavior and achieving urban–rural environmental harmony. Furthermore, the results call on the international community to focus on environmental governance systems, aiming to provide references for other developing countries in formulating environmental policies, thereby promoting the creation of a more just, eco-friendly, and sustainable global development framework.

Sociological Study of Deurbanization Through Sustainable Village Development in Indonesia

This study aimed to analyze deurbanization through sustainable village development from a sociological perspective. The study was conducted in Bantaeng Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This area was selected because sustainable village development can change the number of "underdeveloped" and "very underdeveloped" villages into "developed" and "independent". A qualitative method was adopted to explore sustainable village development by referring to the village development index (IDM), namely social, economic, and environmental resilience. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with informants selected using purposive sampling. The data include elements of village government, community institutions, and society, such as community leaders, educators, religion, youth, traders, farmers, as well as representatives of women and poor groups. Observations were carried out at the study location while collecting documents related to regulations and reports on sustainable village development. The Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) Software Program was used to analyze the data collected as well as write study reports. The results show that sustainable village development has led to the development of social, economic, and environmental resilience, which has an impact on deurbanization. Ruralization also occurred, where people living in the city moved to villages for economic, social, and cultural reasons, especially those who have kinship relations. In conclusion, private sector contributions can improve rural areas, because professional workers from cities move to villages to work in private companies, thereby supporting rural economic growth.

Analysis of agricultural development in Ngringo Village, Kecamatan Jaten, Karanganyar District

Background: Agricultural development is crucial for rural economic growth and food security. This study analyzes agricultural development in Ngringo Village, Indonesia, examining potentials, challenges, structural and institutional transformations, technology transfer, and appropriate development models. Previous research has focused on broader regional agricultural trends, while this study provides an in-depth analysis of a specific village undergoing rapid change. Method: The study employed purposive sampling to select Ngringo Village. Data collection involved observations, structured interviews with key informants, and document analysis. Both primary data from village officials and secondary data from government sources were utilized. Findings: Ngringo Village exhibits both physical potential (strategic location, affordable land) and non-physical potential (socio-cultural life, efficient administration). Challenges include limited farmer knowledge of marketing and post-harvest processing. Structural transformation is evident in the shift from agriculture to industrial and service sectors due to urbanization pressures. Institutional transformation has led to the establishment of farmer groups and associations. Technology transfer is occurring, with the adoption of mechanized farming equipment, though digital technologies are not yet fully embraced. Conclusion: The agricultural development model in Ngringo Village aligns with the location model, influenced by its proximity to urban areas. Ngringo Village is undergoing significant agricultural transformations driven by urbanization and industrialization. While facing challenges in land conversion and marketing, the village demonstrates resilience through institutional adaptations and selective technology adoption. Future agricultural development strategies should focus on enhancing digital marketing skills, strengthening farmer institutions, and balancing agricultural preservation with urban expansion. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study proposes an integrated digital platform for sustainable agricultural development. The platform connects farmers to markets, provides online training, and facilitates stakeholder collaboration, adaptable to different peri-urban contexts across the country.

Sustainable rural economy and food security: An integrated approach to the circular agricultural model

The lack of resources and increasing damage are major obstacles to sustainable economic progress. Conventional farming methods, known for their energy consumption and resulting pollution, need changes. This study focuses on agriculture, an approach inspired by natural ecological cycles that aim to promote sustainable development in rural areas through efficient resource reuse. The connection between agriculture and rural economies, along with strategies for their combined advancement, is an area that requires more exploration and thorough empirical analysis. The research involves an energy analysis methodology tailored for use in regions to assess the benefits and environmental impacts of implementing circular agriculture for sustainable rural economic growth. A multi-objective decision-making approach using TOPSIS is employed to enhance agricultural policy formulation and decision-making processes. The study concludes by developing a model that considers production, processing, recycling, and socioeconomic aspects to delve into the development of circular agriculture within rural communities and propose relevant strategies. The uniqueness of this research lies in its combination of agriculture and the coordinated advancement of rural economies, which offers a fresh viewpoint and approach to sustainable farming methods and robust rural economic development. The results contribute to the circular agriculture literature body and provide practical guidance for policymakers and farmers.

MSMEs and Rural Prosperity: A Study of their Influence in Indonesian Agriculture and Rural Economy

This research delves into the influence of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on the progression of agriculture and the rural economy in Indonesia. MSMEs hold a pivotal position in the Indonesian economy, significantly contributing to job creation and economic expansion. Despite this, their potential to stimulate agricultural growth and enhance the rural economy remains largely uncharted. The investigation of this study centers on the mutual relationship between MSMEs and the agricultural sector. It emphasizes how MSMEs can instigate innovation, augment productivity, and pave the way for rural farmers to access markets. The study also scrutinizes the part MSMEs play in rural development by evaluating their role in boosting income, mitigating poverty, and empowering socio-economic aspects in rural regions. Furthermore, this study identifies the obstacles MSMEs encounter in their contribution to agricultural and rural economic development. These challenges include access to finance, technology, and a complex workforce. The report puts forth policy recommendations to surmount these hurdles and tap into the potential of MSMEs for the advancement of agriculture and rural economic growth in Indonesia. The study enriches the literature on MSMEs, agricultural development, and rural economics. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers who are keen on promoting sustainable development in Indonesia. The findings of this research underscore the necessity of fortifying MSMEs to attain agricultural development and rural economic prosperity in Indonesia.

Delving the influence of socio-economic, demographic and migration factors on utilization of remittances in the agricultural sector in a high out-migrating region in India

In developing nations, remittances play a vital role in the development of the society. Remittances serve as a substantial income stream for rural households, empowering them to invest in farming activities, procure resources, and enhance their overall quality of life. This study focuses on investigating remittance utilization patterns in agriculture and how do socio-economic, demographic and migration factors influence remittance utilization patterns in agriculture in the Middle Ganga Plain region (Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar) of India? The study utilizes the data from the Middle Ganga Plain (MGP) migration survey (2021) conducted by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai. With the help of bivariate analysis, the study explores the relationship between socioeconomic and migration characteristics and the utilization of remittances in the agricultural sector. The Chi-Square test validates the findings, followed by a Binomial Logistic Regression Model for further analysis. The study reveals that marginalized social groups are more inclined to use remittances for agriculture due to their active involvement in agriculture. Furthermore, households with larger landholdings demonstrate an increased likelihood of remittance utilization across all agricultural sectors. Additionally, it was observed that remittances in agriculture were more prevalent among female-headed households. Moreover, parents who are recipients of remittances tend to allocate their funds to agricultural activities. The significant positive correlation between monthly remittance receivers and total agricultural expenses underscores the importance of remittances in rural development. This study provides valuable insights into remittance utilization patterns and associated factors in the agricultural sector, highlighting the need for targeted policies and interventions to enhance the efficient and effective use of remittances in agriculture, ultimately contributing to rural economic growth and development.

Linking farmers to markets: Barriers, solutions, and policy options

The 15 studies highlighted in this special issue collectively underscore the significant impacts of market participation on farmers’ well-being, income, poverty reduction, dietary diversity, and rural economic growth. They also delve into the importance of marketing channel choice and the role of e-commerce in enhancing farmers’ market linkages. In addition, they address farmers’ preferences for market access interventions and the examination of market power within the agricultural industry, especially in low-income countries. The key findings include: (1) Market participation is critical for improving farmers’ subjective and objective well-being, with studies demonstrating positive impacts on income, poverty reduction, and dietary diversity; (2) The choice of marketing channels significantly influences income, with evidence suggesting online sales can substantially increase farmers’ earnings; (3) E-commerce plays a pivotal role in connecting farmers to broader markets, leading to income growth and enhanced market visibility; (4) Understanding and addressing farmers’ preferences for market access through interventions like systematization policies and joint ventures can facilitate better market integration and support inclusive business models; (5) Analysis of market power within the primary foods industry reveals rising markups, particularly affecting low-income countries. These findings suggest that policies and interventions aiming to improve market access, promote e-commerce, and consider farmers’ preferences and market power dynamics can significantly impact farmers’ incomes, poverty levels, and overall rural economic development.

Does rural e-commerce drive up incomes for rural residents? Evidence from Taobao villages in China

The prosperity of rural e-commerce is crucial for rural economic development and rural residents’ well-being, it also offers a fresh perspective towards addressing the “Three Rural Issues” in China. Considering Taobao villages (rural e-commerce) as a quasi-natural experiment, this study explores the impact of Taobao villages on rural residents’ per capita disposable income by applying a staggered difference-in-difference (DID) method within county data from 2010 to 2020. It also reveals the underlying mechanisms behind them along with enterprise microdata. The empirical findings show that, on average, Taobao villages contribute to an annual increase of RMB 1820 in rural residents’ income, and this effect is more prominent in counties with a dominant tertiary sector, larger scale, and non-poor counties. Furthermore, three mechanisms of Taobao village income-raising effect exist: labor mobility across sectors, new business registration, and cost reduction in e-commerce firms. These findings provide compelling evidence for policymakers to promote rural e-commerce as a means to bolster rural residents’ income and foster rural economic growth, it is also of great practical significance for China in narrowing the urban–rural income gap.

The Influence of Gender on the Performance of Village-Owned Enterprises in the Province of East Java, Indonesia

Village-owned enterprises constitute a significant facet of the government's endeavours to bolster rural economic growth; however, the current scenario in Indonesia showcases a concerning trend of underperformance within these enterprises. This study delves into the impact of female managers on the performance of village-owned enterprises, employing cross-sectional data sourced from 100 such enterprises in East Java, Indonesia. The data was subjected to analysis through an ordered probit model. The principal finding of this study underscores the noteworthy and statistically significant influence exerted by female managers on the performance of village-owned enterprises. This observation implies that enterprises led by female managers tend to exhibit superior performance compared to those managed by their male counterparts. Concurrently, the study underscores the pivotal role of demographic profiles, such as age and education, in shaping managerial performance. These findings carry significant implications for policy formulation. They underscore the urgent need to enhance women's empowerment in rural areas, specifically by encouraging their active participation in village-owned enterprises. Additionally, the study underscores the broader importance of augmenting the knowledge and skills of both male and female managers. Such efforts hold the potential to substantially enhance the contributions of village-owned enterprises to Indonesia's economic landscape. In summary, the study's findings emphasize the pivotal role of female managers in boosting the performance of village-owned enterprises. These insights underscore the necessity of empowering women in rural settings and cultivating knowledge across genders. By addressing these imperatives, policymakers can harness the potential of village-owned enterprises for driving sustainable rural economic development in Indonesia.

Entrepreneurship training and assistance for group businesses in Karangploso District, Malang Regency

BUMDes (Village-Owned Enterprises) and KWT (Women's Farmers' Groups) in villages play a crucial role in fostering rural economic growth. Therefore, it is essential to bolster the entrepreneurial spirit among members of these groups. Community service activities conducted in Karangploso District, Malang Regency, aim to enhance the management capacity of BUMDes and KWT through training and mentoring approaches. The training targeted the chairpersons of BUMDes in Bocek Village and the leaders of KWT from all villages in Karangploso District. Training materials covered entrepreneurial motivation, business management, and product marketing. Post-training support was provided through the establishment of a social media group for consultation and discussion on group business activities. Topics included initiating new businesses, digital marketing, and business accounting. Ongoing mentoring activities were facilitated through social media and site visits as necessary. The outcome of this training and mentoring initiative was an increase in entrepreneurial motivation among participants. This heightened motivation translated into proactive identification and pursuit of business opportunities, generation of new product or service ideas, and enhanced participation in developing skills and knowledge related to business management, marketing, and finance.