RURAL MANAGEMENT

India is a country of villages and farmers. In India more than 60% of the population resides in rural regions. The developmental process without mentioning the importance of rural India is, thus very much impossible, while lop-sided and unsustainable. For taking care of the rural development of backward and unattended areas, professional rural managers are hired to assist the villagers in the process of improvement, growth, and expansion, so that the entire nation can easily accomplish progress and prosperity. Rural regions in the most recent times, while across the world have been drawing more and more attention than ever before.

This inturn today has led to the rise of numerous developmental schemes for rural people through national, international, and local agencies, along with several non-governmental bodies. This is the main attribute which suffices the need and importance of rural management to contribute towards the development of villages and small towns. Furthermore, rural management has today become one of the most sought-after subjects to study and research at post graduate level to pursue a bright and booming career. It is usually taken up by individuals who are very much concerned about the nation’s progress and development. Today, as India is progressing forward to become a developed and prosperous nation in the world, the role of rural managers has become very much vital to bring about substantial changes in the livelihood of crores of rural poor. A rural management professional usually can work independently or under any NGO to carry out the work assigned to him/her. For being able to serve the nation the necessary skills, he/she has to undertake a diploma or degree course in rural management offered by several management institutes in the country.




For a course in rural management a candidate should have, irrespective of the institution, take the entrance test as the first step towards screening. The next stage would be the interview. Though the entrance test is open to all graduates, it is always a better proposition for the humanities students to go for rural development course.



A career in rural management involves most about the upliftment of rural working and lifestyle through systematic development plans, hence an aspirant for this field should possesses a heart for the issue concerning the rural community, besides possessing an outgoing, friendly personality, ability to handle masses, ability to handle pressure and leadership skills.



Degree and diploma courses in rural management are being offered by several management institutes in the country. The most popular among all the courses aare MBA in Rural Management, Post Graduate Diploma Programme in Rural Development Management, Master of Rural Management (MRM) and Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Marketing. Admission into such courses is made through All-India entrance tests conducted by the respective institute concerned, followed by group discussion and personal interview. The minimum qualification to appear in such tests is graduation, or equivalent degree, from any recognized institute in any subject. Fellowship and the distance education programs in rural management, like Bachelor of Rural Technology and Management through correspondence/ distance learning are also offered by some institutions.



Rural management candidates usually get good and appropriate employment opportunities in government’s developmental agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs). They are also are being hired on mostly contractual basis to manage developmental schemes and programs. However, these days corporate- run developmental agencies are the mostly favored destinations for some rural managers. Highly talented individuals are able to find lucrative job options in the UN and its specialized agencies or programmes run by it. International NGOs today also are the preferred options for many rural managers. Besides, there is an option to run their own NGOs, which directly gets them associated with the rural folk.

After passing out from the institute, a student is placed appropriately with the Government of India's rural development projects or with some voluntary agencies or any international level Non-Government Organization (NGO). Non-Government agencies like Action Aid and Organization of Rural Development advices worldwide government for their rural development. Their function is backed by high-end research facilities and case study module back up for international sources.

Countries like America and the United Kingdom provide many of the non-governmental organization funds. Their funding is further supplemented by some developmental work in the particular region. There are many institutions and projects which have been funded by the cooperate houses for the purpose of rural development. This gives the company some kind of brand equity and extra mileage. The other avenues open for mostly rural management professionals are the research institutes. There are also numerous opportunities in agencies like United Nations and its subsidiary social research agencies.



A fresh pass-out from any rural management institute can expect somewhere around Rs. 8000-15,000 salary per month. With adequate experience, one can expect higher pay packages. Developmental agencies, being run by big corporate houses, offer attractive pay packets, including other allowances like house rent and medical expenses. Independent rural managers, run their own NGOs, draw rich dividends in terms of money, popularity, and prestige. Though, initially the pay package in this field of work is not as lucrative as other management professions, there is tremendous satisfaction with this field.

One can expect a starting salary somewhere around Rs 8,000-15,000 per month. As someone gains more experience, he/she can consider a shift to a metro or city for planning and development work as a planner or consultant which would surely bring a better salary package. It is interesting to note that more and more IIM graduates are now putting their attention for creating awareness among rural masses by introducing new projects through their innovative ideas and knowledge.

After some experience the remuneration would be quite good and a lot of social prestige, is attached to it. So, if you have a penchant for working in the rural development sector and want to do something for the downtrodden, a career in rural development would be ideal. You can avail both satisfaction and social acceptability, which is very important in one’s life. You would set examples for others and others can also follow suit. A career in Rural Management would also give you the opportunity to travel along the length and breadth of the country and mix with a large cross-section of people with whom you can share your joy and aspirations.

Rural Management Some prominent institutes which are offering rural management courses in India are: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Ahmedabad and Kolkata; Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), Anand; National Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad; Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar; Rural Non-Farm Development Agency, Jaipur; Rural Research Foundation, Jaipur; National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad; Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore; Gandhigram Rural Institute, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu; Indian Institute of Rural Management (IIRM), Jaipur; Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, Institute of Rural Management, Mansarovar, Jaipur; Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi; Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi.

•  Action for Food Production ( APPRO ).
•   Association for Voluntary Agencies
for Rural Development ( AVARD ).
•  Aga Khan Rural Support Program
( AKRSP ).
•  BAIF
•  CHIRAC
•  Development Alternatives
•  Ecotech Services ( ETS )
•  MYRIADA
•  MS Swaminathan Foundation.
•  Society for the Promotion of Wasteland Development ( SPWD ).
•  Regional Centre for Human: Settlement and Environment.
•  VIKSAT