Role of Rural Entrepreneurship in Development of SME sector in Assam with special reference to Nalbari District

Abstract

Economic development and entrepreneurship development is closely interrelated. To develop the economic status of a nation the individual must put their efforts towards entrepreneurship development. In Assam, there is huge number of unemployed youth, which is one of the major obstacles for economic growth. There is about 27 lakhs unemployed youth in Assam, which is a major concern for underdevelopment of the economy. No doubt, Assam has lots of human and natural resources and there is ample scope for development in Assam as well as in Nalbari district particularly in the rural areas such as for processing of cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk, meat and other agricultural products like Jute, Ramie etc. So as to make a sustainable economic development it is utmost important to make proper use of the resources available. In this sense, rural unemployed youth must have to take the initiative towards the economic progress through entrepreneurial activities. It is worthwhile to be mention that in the district of Nalbari the rural population is 1110706 (which is 97.59% of total) and urban is 27478 (which is 2.41% of total) as per the census 2001. The literacy rate of rural and urban area is 67.55% and 88.61% as per the census 2001 as against 55.38% and 80.62% respectively in 1991 in the district. Moreover, entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Therefore, greater emphasis has been given to create awareness among the educated unemployed youth to take initiative to put forward their skills to make them more economic and realistic through entrepreneurship instead of waiting for Government job or searching for Government job after completion of their study.