MBA in Rural Management: What is it about?

According to the World Bank Report of 2019, approximately 65 per cent of India’s population reside in rural areas. The same report points to the fact that, the rural economy constitutes 46 per cent of the national income of the country. These two findings indicate that the growth and development of rural economy and population are key to the overall growth and development of the country.

So, it is pertinent that an appropriate strategy is formulated which addresses the different issues and concerns of the rural communities. Policymakers before embarking on any plan, need the expertise of committed professionals who can study the current scenario of agricultural operations, the issues faced by rural communities, the impact of different government policies, and a host of other issues that plague rural areas.

The enthusiastic youths of the country can play an important role in this direction by initiating changes that will help in improving the circumstances of rural communities and rural areas at large. And one of the most favoured courses that will assist the youths in treading this path is a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Rural Management.

MBA in Rural Management is a two-year postgraduate course. The course involves advanced lessons in the application of management principles to the rural sector. This includes planning, organisation, and control of cooperatives and related organisations in the field of agriculture. Implementation of different developmental plans and projects directly as well indirectly through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other cooperative associations. Meeting the developmental needs of the rural areas, and framing of developmental strategies and policies aimed at improving the living conditions of the rural communities.

Why MBA in Rural Management?

An MBA in Rural Management can be one of the most rewarding career choices for any graduate. This programme familiarises students with the challenges and opportunities in the Indian rural sector. Students get an opportunity to interact with the villagers and farmers, understand their needs and the issues they face, and come up with innovative solutions that improve their current conditions.

Rural Development has been the focus of the Indian government since the country’s independence and now the focus has shifted to professionals who are required to plan and manage this sector.

In the present context, even the corporate sector is interested in the development of the rural sector, and they are constantly on the lookout for professionals with familiarity with rural management.

Mentioned below are a few of the advantages of having an MBA degree in Rural Management:

• obtaining easy data related to funding, monetary assistance, procurement, and distribution of funds to rural inhabitants
• gaining information of different rural processes and activities
• learning about advanced farming methodologies, distinctive techniques of cultivation, and implementation of effective methods that herald prosperity in rural areas

The demand for MBA in Rural Management

As per the Economic Survey Report of 2018, agriculture employed more than 50 percent of the Indian workforce and contributed to around 18 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). And since most of this agricultural workforce dwells within rural areas, MBA in Rural Management has gained immense traction among the youth of the country.

MBA in Rural Management prepares a graduate for formulating and making plans that can systemically uplift backward and impoverished rural areas. With this professional degree, graduates develop several on-field skills which help them to communicate with rural folks and convince them about strategies that can be helpful. They also gain a first-hand idea of handling complex situations and then formulate result-oriented strategies.

These factors have led to a great demand for Rural Management postgraduate degree holders. Various sectors like the government’s rural development projects, non-governmental organisations, rural-based voluntary agencies, high-end rural-based research facilities, banks like NABARD, various Grameen banks, development schemes and programmes, agribusiness enterprises, rural cooperative sector, agricultural marketing sectors have great demand for MBA graduates in Rural Management.

Career Opportunities after an MBA in Rural Management

Several multinational corporations are looking for well-qualified professionals with MBA in Rural Management to cater to the goals of marketing, finance, and human resources of the rural management department. Some of the popular professional avenues open to successful postgraduates are:

Rural Development Officer

They help the Senior Program Manager to oversee various work under the Rural Development Program. This includes checking venture implementation progress, administration, and management of contracts and agreements. They also oversee the investment reports, assist in payment transactions, assist in administration work among others.

Research Officer

Research Officers direct research ventures from the preliminary stages to the final stage. They correspond with associates and ensures that every venture and commission is set up as planned. They also help in assembling the information and report their findings to advisory groups or superiors.

Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for enhancing an organisation’s market position and attaining financial growth. They lay down the long-term organisational and strategic goals of an organisation, acknowledge business prospects, and establish client associations. They also negotiate and seal business deals and keep an eye on the prevailing market conditions.

National Sales Development Manager

National Sales Development Manager is responsible for ensuring that an organisation’s sales expectations across all regions within the country are met. They are also in charge of developing powerful techniques for promoting and marketing different products. They also coordinate with different managers of the organisation.

Purchase/Vendor Development Manager

They manage the purchase of goods and services for an organisation. They identify the necessary goods and services required by a company and then negotiate the purchase of those products at the best price. They also keep a record of all the purchases, maintain inventory and keep an eye on the costs associated with those purchases.

Some of the top companies that constantly demand an MBA in Rural Management include Amul, Mother dairy, Vedanta Foundation, Adani Wilmar, Emami Agrotech, Agriculture Finance Corporation, Godrej Agrovet Limited, and so on. This programme holds great potential for the growth of budding professionals because rural hinterland is highly unexplored and huge investment has been fuelled in to tap this unexplored area both by the public as well as private sectors.