Describe the role of small business in rural India.
The role of small business in Rural India is explained in following points :
1. Non-farm employment: Traditionally rural households in India were exclusively engaged in agriculture. But now rural households have varied and multiple sources of income through non-agricultural activities along with traditional rural activities. This is largely attributed to the setting up of agro-based rural small industries.
2. Employment for artisans: Cottage and rural industries play an important role in providing employment opportunities in the rural areas, especially for the traditional artisans and weaker sections of society.
3. Prevention of migration: Development of rural and village industries can also prevent migration of rural population to urban areas in search of employment.
4. Poverty alleviation: Promotion of SSI and rural industrialization has been considered by the government of India as a powerful instrument for accelerating growth and creating additional productive employment potential in rural and backward areas. Thus, small businesses are addressing the problem of poverty and unemployment by acting as producer of consumer goods and absorbers of surplus labour.
5. Socio-economic aspects: These industries contribute towards socio-economic aspects also such as reduction in income-inequalities dispersed development of industries and so on.