International Journal of Rural Management 

About: International Journal of Rural Management is an academic journal published by SAGE Publishing. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Agriculture & Rural area. It has an ISSN identifier of 0973-0052. Over the lifetime, 240 publications have been published receiving 1802 citations. The journal is also known as: IJRM & Rural management.

Personal and Economic Empowerment in Rural Indian Women: A Self-help Group Approach

Abstract: The present study examined the empowerment of women by addressing two dimensions: economic empowerment and personal empowerment. One hundred women, aged between 16 and 65 years, participating in self-help groups from two rural Indian villages in North-West India took part in the study. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through self-report surveys and interviews, with the analysis yielding contradictory findings. The quantitative data found that working women reported moderate to high levels on collective efficacy, proactive attitude, self-esteem and self-efficacy with no significant reporting of psychological distress. In contrast, examination of the qualitative data revealed positive appraisals of self-worth, purpose and independence and negative appraisals of pressure, challenge and stress. The implications of these findings and the importance of this study are discussed.

Rural Marketing Its Definition and Development Perspective

Abstract: Definition and domain related issues of ‘rural marketing’ need further clarification and revision. Often, rural marketing is equated with marketing by multinationals in rural India. The extant literature on rural marketing has uncritically used the same theories, models, concepts and frameworks as have been used in the mainstream marketing discipline. So far, rural marketing has not produced its own unique theories, concepts, frameworks and distinct vocabulary. As a result, rural marketing cannot claim the status of a separate subdiscipline within the broader marketing discipline. This article provides a critique of the extant work in rural marketing and its dependence on the mainstream business marketing. It is argued that rural marketing must find its own distinct perspective before theory construction can begin in the field. After reviewing the literature on marketing and economic development, it is proposed that development of rural people should be the perspective of rural marketing. In this article, an outcome based definition and domain of rural marketing is proposed and a few potential areas for theory construction work to begin in the subject are suggested.

The role of the Himalayan mountain systems in food security and agricultural sustainability in South Asia.

Abstract: Although South Asian countries made impressive progress in food production during 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the dynamism in the agricultural sector has, however, lost recently. Productivity of major food grains has slowed down and even declined, for some crops and food production is failing to keep pace with population growth. Therefore, food security has remained a major concern in South Asian countries. The linkage between food production and the Himalayan mountains is poorly understood though the Himalayan mountains are the major source of dry season water in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan for irrigated rice and wheat, which are the staple food in South Asia. In view of that this article briefly examines the role of the Himalayan mountain systems in food production and agricultural sustainability in South Asian countries looking at the emerging challenges posed by the increasing water stress and climate change. The analysis suggests that a common challenge is being faced by all South Asian countr...

Water, Equity and Development:

Abstract: This article attempts to synthesize the research presented at the Fifth Annual Partners Meet of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI)– Tata Programme held in Anand, Gujarat, in March 2006. It specifically focuses on the prevalence and nature of inequities in water distribution. It shows that institutions in force create inequity in access to water in all the regions of the country; the landless and the dalits usually facing the brunt of the inequities.The inequities are more pronounced when water is considered as an input for economic activities such as agriculture. Geo-genic factors such as contamination of groundwater are compounded with inequities to severely impact the health and well-being of the poor and the weaker segments of the society. Finally, imbalance of social power allows industry to exploit water sources, producing inequities in use of water across sectors.

Jugaad—From ‘Making Do’ and ‘Quick Fix’ to an Innovative, Sustainable and Low-Cost Survival Strategy at the Bottom of the Pyramid

Abstract: Until recent times, Indian jugaad was commonly constructed to be a frugal form of innovation engendered from the lack of resources and unhealthy financial conditions, and has been recently imported...