The speaker for the talk was Mr. Debaraj Behera, associated with The World Bank as an Agriculture and Livelihood Expert under Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP), Social Sustainability and Inclusion (SSI) Global Practice, Environment, Natural Resources, and Blue Economy (ENB) Global Practice. He had earlier worked in Fungicides India Limited, Ogilvy & Mather, Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD), Action for Social Advancement (ASA) Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS)/JEEViKA and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). Mr. Debaraj holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) and Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA).

In his talk on designing, managing, implementing, and monitoring climate resilience projects, Mr. Debaraj emphasized the importance of drought mitigation strategies like millet cultivation, goat rearing, and large livestock management in semi-arid areas. To build resilience, he recommended diversifying livelihoods to provide communities with alternative income sources, enhancing their adaptive capacity. Mr. Debaraj highlighted key preventive and curative measures such as implementing vaccination programs, and constructing resilient housing for animals to withstand climate extremes. Additionally, he stressed training communities on improved agricultural practices, introducing climate-resilient seeds, and integrating technology.

Mr. Debaraj also engaged with students’ village study experiences, encouraging them to design real-world projects with a focus on budgeting, implementation, and monitoring. He also recommended books like The One Minute Manager to foster leadership and efficiency. His session emphasized holistic planning and sustainable rural development.

Mr. Bibudatta Mishra, Regional Sales Manager ( Field Crop) and Mr. Abhijit Samal, Area Sales Manager (Field Crop), Odisha, Pan Seeds Pvt Ltd were the speakers for the talk. Mr. Bibudatta Mishra has more than two decades of experience in the agri input sector. He had earlier worked with Pioneer seeds and has also experience in sugar industry. Mr. Mishra holds a degree in MBA from Sikkim Manipal University. Mr. Abhijit Samal had done his MBA in Agribusiness Management from Utkal University and had been associated with Pan Seeds for close to 5 years.

Mr. Abhijit Samal initiated the discussion with “Sales and Branding Strategy”. He shared about the 4 P’s of sales strategy, sales initiatives and branding strategy. He emphasized the importance of creating a brand that aligns with the company’s values. Mr. Samal then provided a glimpse of some successful promotional activities undertaken by Pan seeds. Mr. Bibhudatta Mishra delved into the topic of “Sales Effectiveness Training Program”. He took the participants through the different steps of group selling skills. He elaborated about the selection and delivery of the different types of pitches to dealers and retailers. Mr. Mishra also highlighted different promotional activities including pre-sales activity, pilot and demonstration activity.

Data from the Census Bureau show that 68.84% of people reside in rural areas. These regions are growing far more slowly economically than the rest of the country; therefore, agriculture continues to be a major source of income for rural communities. The livelihood of more than two-thirds of Indians comes from agriculture. Hence, agriculture’s development will contribute to the improvement of rural areas and people.

These realities lay down the base of courses like the MBA in Rural Management. The program aims to train individuals to raise the standard of living for rural residents who lack access to basic amenities. This encompasses their social, economic, political, and spiritual development.

Benefits of Pursuing a MBA in Rural Management

Students can pursue  MBA in Rural Management for the following reasons:

1. Rural area residents of India are unable to fully utilise the resources that are available to them. Hence, the study of rural  management is particularly demanding in order to improve the growth of rural areas. The government appoints qualified rural managers to help the people in rural areas grow, improve, and expand. People having specialisation in rural management can manage and implement ideas that have a chance of success.
2. Pursuing this course is the finest opportunity for those who are seriously worried about the economic development of the nation & want to improve the state of rural areas. A MBA in Rural Management will allow them to study and conduct research that will uplift rural areas in multiple ways. Both the public and private sectors will be open to them after doing this diploma.
3. India is a nation with a large number of rural areas. Therefore, there is a high need for individuals who are well aware of the rural settings and can play a major role in the overall development of these areas by making use of their knowledge and understanding of ground-level issues.
4. The MBA in Rural Management scope is not limited to the private or public sector, as the rural managers can work for NGOs or establish their own. Nandi Foundation, PRADHAN, CARE, SEWA, BAIF, Seva Mandir, etc., are a few examples of national NGOs that work towards strengthening the rural societies of India.
5. Individuals pursuing master’s program can also operate in the agribusiness sector, agricultural marketing, and management of agro-products. In fact, this program enables one to also work in the rural cooperative sector.
6. MBA in Rural Management offers great career opportunities which don’t have a lot of competition and give a good salary. The following are some of these jobs:

• Rural Development Officer
• National Sales Development Manager
• Research Officer
• Rural Minister
• Consultant
• Vendor Development Manager

Enhance the Growth of Rural Areas with the KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM)

MBA in Rural Management is a 2 year program which  aims to empower individuals who would either join community/rural development initiatives at the government/NGO level or return to their rural homes and initiate changes by incorporating their learning in village reconstruction.

The experienced faculty of KSRM has designed the curriculum in such a way that the students also gain an understanding of the relevant Acts and Policies that have emerged in the last few decades.

Further, the KIIT School of Rural Management fosters analytical and critical thinking for evidence-based decision-making for issues in rural areas. It develops the necessary knowledge and skills in students to enable them to work as a supervisory level cadre in both government and non-government organisations.

Therefore, play a major role in the development of rural areas and the upliftment of people with a MBA in Rural Management from KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM).

These days all of us have been witnessing some innovative and unique MBA specialisations, and MBA in Rural Management is one of them. This specialisation is in high demand and has been gaining massive popularity in India, in particular, because our country’s economy is dependent on agriculture, and almost 60% of the population still lives in rural areas.

Therefore, it is essential to understand that the rural and backward regions can be improvised to reach a level of national development and to make India a developed country from a developing one. Thus, there is a need for nurturing professionals to render India one of the wealthiest economies in the world.

What is an MBA in Rural Management?

Individuals seeking to improve the standards of our rural areas by introducing development in them can opt for an MBA in Rural Management. This MBA specialisation caters to working on projects and models that can assist in developing a better focus on the country’s rural area. The MBA in Rural Management subjects emphasises the fact that one needs to develop an understanding of how things function and then bring a significant change in the system that affects the livelihoods of millions of people in India.

What is the Difference Between Rural Management and Rural Development?

There is a slight difference between Rural Management and Rural Development courses that every student aspiring to pursue this discipline should know.

• Rural Development– It is defined as enhancing the standard of life of rural people, including social, political, economic and spiritual development of the people living in rural regions who are deprived of basic facilities.
• Rural Management– This area includes the study of administering rural resources effectively. It includes planning and executing rural development programs that profit the rural livelihood.

Is Rural Management a Good Career?

Numerous multinational corporations are hunting for well-qualified professionals with MBA in Rural Management to cater to the rural management department’s goals of finance, marketing and human resources. Some of the rewarding professional avenues open to successful postgraduates are:

1. Rural Development Officer
   These professionals assist the Senior Program Manager in overseeing several works under the rural development program. This includes checking venture implementation progress, administering contracts and agreements, and administering. They are also responsible for overseeing the investment reports, assisting in payment transactions, and administration work, among others.
2. Research Officer
   Research officers directly research ventures from the preliminary stages to the final stage. They correspond with associates and ensure that every commission and venture is set up as planned. They also assemble the information and report their findings to advisory groups or superiors.
3. Business Development Manager
   These professionals are responsible for enhancing an organisation’s market position and achieving financial growth. They formulate an organisation’s long-term organisational and strategic goals, acknowledge business prospects, and establish client associations. They also supervise the prevailing market conditions and negotiate and seal business deals
4. National Sales Development Manager
   These professionals ensure that an organisation’s sales expectations within the country are met. They also develop powerful techniques for promoting and marketing different products.

Get Trained to Transform the Country’s Rural Areas with KIIT School Of Rural Management (KSRM)

The MBA in Rural Management course at KIIT School Of Rural Management (KSRM) lets students learn from situations that are more complex than what can be created in the classroom. KSRM allows students to choose among the various projects offered by the school’s partner organisation. The wide areas of fieldwork include Agribusiness, Microfinance, Climate Change, Rural Finance, Banking & Marketing, Disaster and Natural Resource Management, Health, Livelihoods, Education & Corporate Social Responsibility and Rural Entrepreneurship.

Program outcomes:

• Apply knowledge of development and management theories and practices to offer rural, social, political and economic development and solve rural business problems.
• Foster analytical and critical thinking for evidence or data-based decision-making for rural problems.
• Develop value-based leadership capability to serve rural areas.
• Ability to understand, analyse and communicate global, legal, economic, and ethical aspects of rural development and rural business.
• Develop value-based leadership capability to serve rural areas.

Moreover, this unique specialisation program will assist you in identifying the current ongoing challenging scenario of rural areas. The MBA in Rural Management program will cater to the country’s demand by raising dynamic professionals who will be the perfect helping hands for economic development. The course opens up several government jobs for graduates. Students also get an opportunity to work in various non-government organisations (NGOs) where professionals can utilise their knowledge and explore the possibilities for the betterment of society.

The 13.9% of Indian GDP devoted to agriculture and related industries like forestry and fishery remains the foundation of the Indian economy and makes India stand 2nd in the world for agricultural output. Food is humanity’s most basic requirement; hence commercialising agricultural output is given a lot of attention. Therefore, ensuring enough food production and distribution has recently raised concerns throughout the world. As a result, growing queries like what is MBA Agri Business Management.

What is MBA Agri Business Management?

The MBA in Agribusiness Management program broadly covers marketing with an emphasis on rural marketing, microfinance, commodity trading, supply chain management (logistics in retail) and taxation. Agri-export-import, agricultural finance, and all other pertinent and applicable disciplines of agriculture and the WTO are also covered in detail in MBA Agri Business Management.

Make Agriculture More Productive with MBA in Agri Business Management

One of the sectors in the economy that is growing at an enormous speed is agribusiness. The majority of the sector is, however, unorganised. Hence, there is plenty of opportunity for managers to step up and make sure this industry realises its full potential and generates more jobs and top-notch products for the country’s population. The following are other compelling reasons to pursue this course and understand what is MBA Agri Business Management:

• Growth Potential

With large-scale commercial farming recently getting started, the potential for growth in this industry is limitless. Consequently, if you join a sector at such a young age, it gives you a chance to develop alongside it. As the industry expands, your position will also experience considerable growth. In a few years, you could be in charge of a sizable agriculture-based firm. As a result, earning an MBA in agribusiness gives you the power to choose your own professional path and set your own terms.

• Monetary Benefits

Professional managers and other allied occupations are in short supply in agribusiness. As a result, compared to other industries, the salary and perks are extremely high for those who are now employed. Additionally, the salary numbers continue to improve with timely growth.

• Industry Need

Agribusiness, as previously said, requires managers and other specialists in order to grow quickly and steadily. Due to this industry’s reliance on natural components, there are several dangers involved. But the MBAs can eliminate all risk factors through their education & expertise and ensure that the growth continues. Only MBAs in Agri Business Management will be able to realise agribusiness’s potential to be the economy’s largest contributor.

• Challenging Profession

Working in agribusiness presents numerous challenges. The issues facing this industry are vastly different from those facing other industries. You will develop as a professional by overcoming these obstacles and discovering solutions. You will quickly realise your managerial potential because your problem-solving abilities will be far superior to those of your contemporaries in other businesses.

• Diverse Career Options

You can expect to work in the following fields after earning an MBA in Agribusiness Management:

• Agri products trading companies
• Agribusiness financing companies
• Rural banking businesses
• Non-banking financial companies
• Farming technology manufacturing companies
• Food processing companies
• Agri-skill development and training companies

By working in and growing this industry, you are improving the lives of many people who are struggling and providing for their basic needs. Therefore, an MBA in Agri Business Management is a good course to pursue from all angles.

Revel in the Culture of Learning at KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM)

KIIT School of Rural Management offers MBA in Agri-Business Management and provides students with an opportunity to contribute to this sector effectively. It is a 2-year full-time MBA programme that the institute is offering from the 2019 academic session. The program’s objective is to give the fundamental and analytical information, as well as the essential skills, to better educate managers to serve the Agri industry and maximise its potential.

Students can get admission to this course by clearing the Agribusiness Management Entrance Exam. KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM) conducts its own entrance exam known as KIITJEE Management Exam or KIITJEE.

MBA Agriculture fees in KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM)  is around Rs. 7.60 lakhs, payable in five instalments. The fee includes Hostel, Mess, Books & Materials and Laptops for all students.

Doing an MBA in Agri-Business from the KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM) will increase the MBA ABM scope of students to a great level. The program’s curriculum consists of compulsory courses, projects, and industry attachments. The students will follow an intense curriculum that will aid in their development of outstanding managerial abilities suitable for the agriculture sector.

Hence, if you want to contribute to community service while carving out a niche career for yourself, apply for an MBA (Agribusiness Management) at the KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM)!