Geographical indications have emerged as one of the most important intellectual property tools for protecting traditional products that are deeply connected with a specific geographical region. They represent not only the quality and uniqueness of products but also the cultural identity, heritage, and collective knowledge of local communities. In recent decades, globalization and industrialization have increased competition in markets, often threatening the survival of traditional products and rural artisans. In such a situation, geographical indications provide legal recognition and commercial value to products whose qualities are linked to their place of origin. Products such as Darjeeling Tea, Banarasi Sarees, Kanchipuram Silk, Champagne, and Roquefort Cheese demonstrate how geographical indications can create economic opportunities and preserve local traditions. The protection of geographical indications plays a significant role in strengthening rural economies by generating employment, encouraging local entrepreneurship, increasing export potential, and supporting sustainable development. Rural producers often lack financial resources and market access, which places them at a disadvantage in competitive markets. Through geographical indication protection, producers gain exclusive rights over the use of the product name, helping them secure better prices and prevent misuse by unauthorized traders. This creates trust among consumers and enhances the reputation of regional products. This research paper examines the concept of geographical indications, their legal framework at international and national levels, and their contribution to rural economy development. It also explores the economic, social, and cultural significance of geographical indications, along with the challenges faced in their implementation and protection. The paper highlights the importance of effective policies, awareness, infrastructure, and market support in ensuring that geographical indications truly benefit rural communities.

Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) serve as a strategic institutional instrument for accelerating rural economic development and poverty alleviation in developing nations like Indonesia. This study aims to investigate the empirical impact of the BUMDes program's contribution on local community welfare, focusing on a rural setting in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Employing a quantitative approach with a descriptive survey design, data were collected proportionally from 39 rural households. The empirical analysis was conducted using simple linear regression to examine the relationship between BUMDes program contributions and community welfare. The findings reveal that the BUMDes program's contribution is perceived to be highly effective (average score 3.65), aligning with a high level of community welfare (average score 3.58). Statistical analysis confirms a positive and significant impact, evidenced by a regression coefficient of 0.484 (t-value = 4.184 > t-table = 1.687) and a coefficient of determination (R-squared) of 32.1%. These results imply that BUMDes significantly stimulates income generation, job creation, and the expansion of local business services. The study concludes that optimizing the governance and institutional capacity of BUMDes is imperative for achieving sustainable rural welfare and empowering local economic resilience.

Rural health disadvantages in the United States: Evidence from nationally representative data.

Purpose This study explores the dynamics of entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment by examining the lived experiences of rural Indigenous Dayak women entrepreneurs in Sarawak, Malaysia. Focusing on this distinct group, the research investigates how access to resources, support mechanisms, and cultures and traditions shape the development of entrepreneurial resilience. The study further examines how such resilience facilitates personal, social, and economic empowerment among these women. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with fourteen rural Indigenous Dayak women entrepreneurs. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment. Findings The findings reveal that the resilience of rural indigenous women entrepreneurs is shaped by a set of interconnected factors. Key challenges include balancing cultural values with business demands, coping with financial constraints, and navigating uncertainty in the business environment. At the same time, resilience is strengthened by access to financial and digital resources, strong family and community support, and supportive government initiatives. Cultures and traditions, particularly values emphasising sustainability, respect for the environment, and harmony with nature, play a critical role in guiding business practices and decision-making. Collectively, these elements foster personal growth, social recognition, and economic empowerment among the entrepreneurs. Originality/value This research offers valuable insights into the intersection of entrepreneurial resilience and empowerment among rural indigenous women entrepreneurs. By illuminating the experiences of a distinct and under-researched demographic, it extends existing scholarship on gender, entrepreneurship, and rural development. The study also offers practical implications for policymakers and development agencies seeking to design context-sensitive interventions that promote gender equality, strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystem, and advance sustainable rural economic development.

Abstract. Hasnal, BDR MF, Akhsan, Jamil MH, Baba S. 2026. Ordinal regression of rice technology adoption in Pinrang, Indonesia. Asian J Agric 10 (1): g100146. https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjagric/g100146. The agricultural sector continues to play a vital role in sustaining livelihoods in Indonesia, contributing significantly to national food security and rural economic development, with rice as the staple food. However, the decline in rice cultivation area and productivity in Pinrang District highlights the need to enhance the adoption of agricultural technology. Optimizing rice production requires intensive management, including the use of modern equipment, high-yielding varieties, and the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. This study examines the socioeconomic factors influencing the adoption of rice farming technology amid increasing agricultural digitalisation. The results indicate that most farmers are at a moderate level of technology adoption, suggesting uneven diffusion across farmer groups. Formal education, distance from home to farmland, extension intensity, and household income emerged as key positive predictors of adoption. In contrast, participation in non-formal education had a negative effect, particularly among farmers who had never attended non-formal training. These findings provide important insights for policymakers and stakeholders in designing targeted interventions, strengthening extension services, and improving access to education and resources to promote wider adoption of agricultural technologies and ultimately enhance rice productivity and farmers’ welfare.

Agriculture plays a significant role in Odisha’s rural economic development. In 2018 Odisha government introduced an innovative program known as the KALIA Scheme. Providing direct income support, the scheme aims to enhance farmers’ income in agricultural sector. To assess agricultural performance the study examines trends in paddy production and yield over the periods 2013-14 to 2022-23. The study based on secondary data, data collected from various sources such as the Odisha Economic Survey 2019-20, government reports, and existing literature. The discussion highlights that paddy production and yield exhibit an overall increasing trend; fluctuations persist year to year. While the scheme has contributed to increasing agricultural production, external factors such as climatic variability and structural factors affect outcomes. After implementation of the scheme, it reflects more stability in agricultural performance. The study concludes that while the KALIA Scheme has contributed to inclusive agricultural development by strengthening agricultural productivity, sustainable growth requires more development in irrigation, technological adoption, and risk mitigation strategies.

In the context of China’s rapid urbanization and rural land marketization reforms, the entry of rural collectively owned commercial construction land into the market (ERCCCLM) coexists with the traditional government-led land expropriation, forming a dual land supply system. China’s dual-structure land ownership system—where urban land belongs to the state and rural land to rural collectives—aims to balance land market allocation efficiency with government regulation for public interests. However, significant differences exist between the two patterns in terms of revenue distribution, risk-bearing, and institutional constraints. Consequently, stakeholders including rural collective economic organizations, farmers, local governments, and development companies face dilemmas in selecting land supply patterns, thereby limiting land resource allocation efficiency. The research employs multidimensional economic analysis to systematically compare the ERCCCLM and land expropriation patterns, establishing a land supply pattern selection mechanism with land market price and compensation for expropriation as key variables. First, the expenditure and revenue of stakeholders in both patterns were clarified based on relevant documents, and investment revenue models were constructed. Second, through comparative analysis of revenue formation mechanisms across land supply patterns and sensitivity analysis of multi-scenario calculations, the land market price and compensation for expropriation are identified as key variables determining economic revenue. The findings indicate that when the land market price exceeds compensation for expropriation, ERCCCLM generates higher economic revenue for the rural collective economic organization and farmer. Conversely, when the land market price is equal to or lower than the compensation for expropriation, land expropriation provides more stable revenue. The land expropriation and ERCCCLM examined in this research represent a unique land expropriation and utilization system exclusive to China. The proposed selection mechanism improves land market distribution efficiency and informs policy discussions on optimizing land supply patterns, ensuring a balance between market efficiency and stakeholder equity.

Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) continue to face a number of challenges, particularly weak organizational governance, limited managerial capacity, and inadequate implementation of transparency and accountability principles. These conditions have led to unprofessional business practices that have not yet generated optimal benefits for the community. This community service program is designed to strengthen the understanding and capacity of BUMDes managers in implementing transparent and accountable governance based on public administration principles. The program employs participatory methods, including training, interactive discussions, simulations, and question-and-answer sessions. Results indicate an increased managerial understanding of structured procedures, proper administration, and accountable reporting. Furthermore, the program fosters collective awareness of the importance of implementing openness and responsibility in organizational management. Overall, this initiative contributes to strengthening the governance of Village-Owned Enterprises, enabling them to become more professional, credible, and sustainable in supporting rural economic development.

This study examined consumer demand and preferences for goat meat, free-range chicken, and fresh vegetables in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, within the context of food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural economic development. Guided by consumer behavior and market demand perspectives, the study employed a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design. Quantitative data were collected from 385 randomly selected household consumers using a structured and validated survey questionnaire, while qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews with farmers, vendors, and agricultural officers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), regression analysis, and thematic analysis. Findings revealed that fresh vegetables are staple commodities with consistent and frequent consumption, while free-range chicken is increasingly preferred due to perceived health benefits, taste, and ethical production, with consumers willing to pay a premium. Goat meat remains culturally significant but is consumed less frequently, mainly during special occasions. Key determinants of purchasing behavior include freshness, taste, health benefits, and trust in local sources, with income and education influencing willingness to pay. Challenges identified include inconsistent supply and quality, high production costs, lack of post-harvest facilities, market competition, and limited marketing knowledge. The study concludes that significant market opportunities exist for producers who align with consumer preferences and improve product quality and supply consistency. This study supports Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by addressing food demand, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural practices. Its sustainability impact lies in promoting efficient local food systems, improving producer income opportunities, and supporting community-based agricultural development.

Agrotourism has emerged as a compelling strategy to bridge rural economic development with sustainable development. But how has the extant literature on agrotourism discussed the ways in which ‘agrotourism development’ shapes sustainable local economies? This article addresses this research question by undertaking a comprehensive review of the literature, including both a traditional literature review and a systematic review of 77 peer-reviewed articles published between 1994 and 2024. Both the qualitative and quantitative analyses of the literature return similar findings, namely: ‘agrotourism development’ shapes sustainable local economies through economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development. The timelines for these linkages established in the qualitative review also cohere with those in the quantitative review, although the quantitative analysis shows that the trends are not linear. Economic growth remains a recurrent theme, but increasingly sustainable development receives considerable attention, too. Both are deemed constitutive of the sustainable development process. Crucially, there are variations across space with some regions in the world emphasising some themes more than others and, even then, at different times. Overall, it seems that the agrotourism-development nexus is continent rather than categorical.

This research study examines traditional and modern distribution channels in rural India’s agricultural markets. Traditional channels, including village traders, haats, and informal intermediaries, have historically shaped the flow of agricultural produce from farmers to consumers. However, they are characterized by inefficiencies, high transaction costs, limited market access, and information asymmetries. Modern distribution channels such as agricultural e-markets (eNAM), digital platforms (e-Choupal), cooperatives, and integrated value chains have emerged to address these challenges. The review synthesizes evidence demonstrating that modern channels increase price transparency, reduce intermediary exploitation, enhance market access, improve net returns for farmers, and support rural economic development. This paper argues that modern distribution channels, bolstered by digital technologies and institutional innovations, are more effective than traditional channels in improving welfare and sustainability in rural agricultural supply chains.

Against the backdrop of the deepening implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, the development of the rural market economy has become a central lever for activating endogenous rural growth dynamics. As a critical component of rural infrastructure construction, public transport capital investment exhibits a profound interactive relationship with the development of the rural market economy. Grounded in public goods theory, coupling coordination theory, and industrial integration theory, this study employs the entropy weight method, coupling degree model, and coupling coordination degree model, combined with provincial panel data from 2010 to 2020, to systematically examine the interactive mechanisms between public transport capital investment and rural market economy development. The findings indicate that public transport capital investment promotes rural market economy development through three primary channels: reducing circulation costs, facilitating industrial agglomeration, and expanding market boundaries. In turn, the development of the rural market economy guides the efficient allocation of public transport capital via demand-driven forces, financial feedback mechanisms, and structural optimization. The coupling coordination degree between the two systems shows a year-by-year upward trend; however, pronounced regional disparities persist. The central and western regions lag behind the eastern region in terms of coordination levels, and within rural areas there exist dual imbalances characterized by "transport lag–market contraction" and "transport advance–resource misallocation". Based on these findings, this paper proposes policy recommendations including optimizing the investment structure, strengthening supply–demand alignment, and improving coordination mechanisms, thereby providing a reference for promoting the synergistic development of rural public transport and the market economy.

Innovative start-up business models and their contribution to rural economic development in India

Strengthening the local economy through better access to agricultural facilities and local marketing strategies is key to empowering rural communities. Lembang Tondon, with its significant agricultural potential, faces challenges such as limited production facilities, fluctuating commodity prices, and reliance on middlemen. This community service program aims to enhance farmers’ capacity by improving access to agricultural inputs and developing marketing strategies. Methods such as surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory rural appraisal were used to assess the situation and identify opportunities for improvement. Results show that strengthening local institutions, optimizing farmer groups, and implementing direct marketing strategies can boost farmers' income and bargaining power. Collaboration between farmers and stakeholders reduces reliance on intermediaries, creating a more sustainable supply chain. Additionally, training in financial literacy, market analysis, and negotiation skills ensures long-term success. This program supports sustainable rural economic development, food security, poverty reduction, and local resilience, emphasizing the integration of agricultural development with community-driven marketing solutions.

“Farm tourism is a form of rural tourism that occurs on farms where tourists engage with farm activities, learn about agricultural practices, and experience the rural lifestyle, thereby providing additional income to farmers. This study is based on an empirical investigation of a sample of 112 farmers from Nereducherla Mandal of Suryapet District, focusing on farm tourism and related agricultural practices. Agri-tourism combines agriculture and tourism to promote rural development, allowing visitors to experience farming activities and rural life. The study examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming traditional farming through technologies such as crop monitoring, pest detection, precision farming, and smart irrigation, enhancing both farm productivity and sustainability. It also explores farm visits as part of the research methodology, using purposive sampling to select participants actively engaged in or familiar with farm tourism. AI not only assists farmers in effective farm management but also creates educational experiences for tourists, while supporting digital marketing, quality control, and operational efficiency. The findings indicate that AI can increase farmers’ income, promote sustainable practices, and generate rural employment, though challenges such as limited awareness, high costs, and technological constraints remain. Overall, integrating AI with farm tourism in NereducherlaMandal has significant potential to advance rural economic development and modernize agricultural practices.

The Braj region of Uttar Pradesh, associated with the life and legends of Lord Krishna, is one of the most important spiritual tourism destinations in India. While prominent pilgrimage centers such as Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, and Govardhan attract large numbers of visitors, several culturally and spiritually significant sites remain lesser known and underexplored. This study examines the tourism potential of these underrated destinations and analyzes tourists’ awareness, perceptions, and challenges related to their development and promotion. Primary data were collected from 100 respondents through a structured questionnaire using simple random sampling. Statistical tools such as weighted mean analysis and one-sample t-test were applied to evaluate tourists’ perceptions across different dimensions. The results reveal a significantly positive perception toward these lesser-known sites, highlighting their potential for tourism growth, cultural preservation, and rural economic development. However, limited awareness, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient promotional strategies were identified as major barriers. The study emphasizes the need for improved marketing, infrastructure development, and government support to promote sustainable tourism in the Braj region.

This study aims to analyze the level of financial literacy and examine its influence on the household welfare of vegetable farmers. Agricultural households, particularly smallholder vegetable farmers, frequently experience economic vulnerability due to several structural challenges such as unstable agricultural income, seasonal production patterns, fluctuating market prices, limited access to formal financial services, and inadequate financial management skills. These conditions often make farm households more susceptible to economic shocks, including crop failure, input price increases, or sudden market price declines. In this context, financial literacy becomes an essential capability that enables farmers to manage their financial resources more effectively.This research employed a quantitative research design using a survey approach. The study involved 120 vegetable farmers selected as respondents from major vegetable-producing areas. Data were collected through structured questionnaires designed to measure farmers’ financial literacy levels and household welfare conditions. Financial literacy was assessed through indicators such as financial knowledge, financial behavior, and financial attitudes, while household welfare was evaluated based on indicators including consumption stability, education and health expenditures, savings capacity, and overall economic resilience. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe the characteristics and financial literacy levels of respondents, and multiple linear regression analysis to examine the relationship between financial literacy and household welfare.The results of this study highlight the importance of strengthening financial education programs targeted at agricultural communities. Improving financial literacy among vegetable farmers can contribute not only to better household financial management but also to broader rural economic development. Therefore, financial education initiatives should be integrated into agricultural extension programs, farmer group activities, and local government development strategies. Such initiatives may include training in household financial planning, simple bookkeeping for farm businesses, savings management, and responsible credit use. By enhancing farmers’ financial capabilities, these programs can help improve household welfare, strengthen rural economic resilience, and support the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector.

Promoting rural industrial integration (RII) is crucial for achieving rural revitalization and agricultural modernization. To empirically evaluate the impact of China’s Rural Industrial Integration Demonstration Park (RIIDP) policy, this study treated the RIIDP policy as a natural experiment, and implemented a staggered difference-in-differences model (DID) to examine the policy’s effects on agricultural modernization and farmers’ income. The empirical findings demonstrate statistically significant positive impacts of the policy on farmers’ income, yielding an average annual increase of 2.1% (equivalent to 234 CNY) per capita and the income-increasing effect has sustained dynamic characteristics. The mechanism analysis reveals that the policy promotes the upgrading of agricultural industries and the improvement of production methods, realizing agricultural modernization and sustainable income growth. Heterogeneity analysis uncovers nuanced spatial and socioeconomic variations in policy effectiveness. The income-increasing effects prove particularly pronounced in counties characterized by lower educational level and greater fiscal capacity. Regional analysis further identifies stronger treatment effects in western and northeastern regions compared to eastern and central regions, suggesting diminishing marginal returns in more developed areas. This study provides empirical evidence on the efficacy of a major rural policy, which is conducive to achieving sustainable rural economic development. The findings provide practical guidance for agricultural transition economies seeking to advance agricultural modernization and increase farmers’ income.

Larangan Village, situated in Candi Sub-district of Sidoarjo Regency, represents a rural community actively engaged in leveraging its local potential as a strategic effort to generate revenue for the village administration through the establishment and development of its Institutional Village Enterprise (BUMDes). Institutional Village Enterprises (BUMDes) have an important role in encouraging rural economic development. The establishment of BUMDes presents an opportunity to leverage legislation that grants Village Goverments the authority to innovate in village development, particularly in enhancing the rural economy and improving the welfare of village communities. However, taxation requirements for BUMDes have become a complex issue that has an impact of difficulty for BUMDes to become a partner to the Village Government in the procurement of goods. This research aims to analyze the impact of tax implementation on BUMDes, which should ideally provide business operations, in line with the general purpose of taxation to simplify business affairs for entrepreneurs. This research employs a qualitative approach using a case study method, collecting data through interviews, observations, and document analysis.

Purpose This study aims to dissect the factors contributing to rural economic development from the sustainable endogenous development perspective. Design/methodology/approach This research leverages integration of the econometric modeling and machine learning methodologies (Ordered Probit model and Random Forest model) to uncover the factors’ marginal effect, relative contribution and dynamic process, employing 420 farm households data in Guizhou Province, China. Findings The findings highlight village leadership, social capital, collective action and collective property rights system reform as significant facilitators of rural economic development. The reform of the rural collective property rights system exerts a paramount relative contribution to rural economic development, followed by social capital, collective action and village leadership. The impacts of collective action, social capital and leadership on rural economic development reveal a pattern of oscillatory rise, eventually stabilizing. Originality/value This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of rural economic development and offers insights into the strategic prioritization of policy formulation to achieve sustainable development in rural communities.