The Role of Microenterprises in the Promotion of Rural Entrepreneurship in Assam

Rural microenterprises ensure value addition to rural resources in rural areas engaging largely rural human resources. The basic rationale of developing microenterprises is that they provide additional employment opportunities and ensure more equitable distribution of income and better standard of living to the rural inhabitants. Global experience shows that the development of rural microenterprises is one of the most cost-effective ways of creating employment, scattering the industry, catalyzing research and development and allowing entrepreneurial talent to prosper. The present study is an attempt to analyze the socioeconomic characteristics of rural microentrepreneurs in the Sonitpur district of Assam. The study also highlights the problems encountered by these enterprises and suggests suitable measures to eradicate them. The findings of the study suggest that there is a need for concerted efforts by the government and rural masses to enhance the growth and prosperity of rural microenterprises.