Rural Marketing
Rural marketing
INTRODUCTION
The concept ‘Rural’ and ‘Marketing’, though used very frequently in various forums, have eluded any precise and non- controversial definitions. When we join them, the resulting concept ‘Rural Marketing’ means different things to different persons. This confusion leads to distorted understanding of the problems of rural marketing poor diagnosis and, more often than not, poor prescriptions.
The Indian rural market with its vast size and demand base offers great opportunities to marketers. Two – thirds of countries consumers live in rural areas and almost half of the national income is generated here. It is only natural that rural markets form an important part of the total market of India. Our nation is classified in around 450 districts, and approximately 630000 villages, which can be sorted in different parameters such as literacy levels, accessibility, income levels, penetration, distances from nearest towns, etc.
Rural marketing and urban marketing are identical as regards basic marketing structure. However, rural markets and rural marketing have special features and dilemmas as compared to urban markets. The rural markets offer a great scope for a concentrated marketing effort because of the recent increase in the rural incomes and the likelihood that such incomes will increase faster because of better production and higher prices for agricultural commodities.
The rural markets dominate Indian marketing scene and need special attention for the expansion of marketing activities and also for providing better life and welfare to the rural people.
Given the development, which has taken place in the rural areas under the five- year plans and other special programmes, today the rural market offers a vast untapped potential. Development programs in the field of agriculture and allied activities, health education, communication, rural electrification, etc have improved the lifestyles of poor and the illiterate and some market
INTRODUCTION
The concept ‘Rural’ and ‘Marketing’, though used very frequently in various forums, have eluded any precise and non- controversial definitions. When we join them, the resulting concept ‘Rural Marketing’ means different things to different persons. This confusion leads to distorted understanding of the problems of rural marketing poor diagnosis and, more often than not, poor prescriptions.
The Indian rural market with its vast size and demand base offers great opportunities to marketers. Two – thirds of countries consumers live in rural areas and almost half of the national income is generated here. It is only natural that rural markets form an important part of the total market of India. Our nation is classified in around 450 districts, and approximately 630000 villages, which can be sorted in different parameters such as literacy levels, accessibility, income levels, penetration, distances from nearest towns, etc.
Rural marketing and urban marketing are identical as regards basic marketing structure. However, rural markets and rural marketing have special features and dilemmas as compared to urban markets. The rural markets offer a great scope for a concentrated marketing effort because of the recent increase in the rural incomes and the likelihood that such incomes will increase faster because of better production and higher prices for agricultural commodities.
The rural markets dominate Indian marketing scene and need special attention for the expansion of marketing activities and also for providing better life and welfare to the rural people.
Given the development, which has taken place in the rural areas under the five- year plans and other special programmes, today the rural market offers a vast untapped potential. Development programs in the field of agriculture and allied activities, health education, communication, rural electrification, etc have improved the lifestyles of poor and the illiterate and some market