Impact of rural entrepreneurship on migration- A case study of Dahanu (Maharashtra), India

A society’s prosperity critically depends upon the level of success, prosperity and growth opportunities available to its people. Entrepreneurs serve as the catalyst in the economy’s engine, triggering and stimulating all economic activity. The present study is based on primary and secondary data collected from various sources and primary data collected from Dahanu district of the Indian state of Maharashtra India during 2017-18. Qualitative data collected from different stakeholders including rural entrepreneurs concluded that agriculture is predominant occupation in Dahanu district of Maharashtra. Seasonal migration is common due to seasonal nature of rice farming, leading to high rate of school dropouts. Entrepreneurial ventures available in Dahanu categorized into two categories viz. Agriculture based and non-agriculture based ventures. Prospective entrepreneurial ventures in the study area are warli painting, poultry farm, clothes, handicrafts and handlooms, floriculture and perfumery, rice processing unit, ice factory, Sapota processing unit, Bidi making which can operate on commercial basis. There is scope to scale up existing ventures as well. Entrepreneurship helped certain individuals to reduce migration and to continue the education of their children. Hence, rural entrepreneurship can help in mitigating the complex challenges caused by migration.