Ever since rural development emerged as an independent field of inquiry in the 1950s, it has been subjected to many changes in emphasis and ideology. These changing perspectives have resulted in shifts in policies and programs and have influenced the intellectual discourse on rural development. Conceived against this background, this innovative idea (?) throws up possible trends in rural economic scenario and scope for rural entrepreneurship development.

Product / service covering idea - Rural Tourism.

Usefulness - There is a felt need but there has been no organized thinking and plan of action so far. The single useful factor is ‘No huge investment; Just show case the rural ambience and assure the traveler tourist total relaxation in a natural way at a fraction of cost urban/metro equivalents’.

Uniqueness - Good number of city dwellers long for farm houses near the cities in which they live and prefer to come down weekly or monthly once. However, considering the high cost of acquiring and maintaining them, for many of them this remains as an unfulfilled dream. There is a good scope for setting up of such farmhouses in the rural areas on the outskirts of cities and they can be rented out during weekend stay and sojourn by the city dwellers.

Market potential - Huge; totally untapped. It is gathered no published data is available, as no one has taken up this study for the entire market as a whole in India.

How to retain competitive edge - As of now no competition; concept product in the initial stage of appreciation; one can be as innovative as s/he can think; clear customer focus will be the key to retain the edge and forge ahead.

Technical feasibility - There is no special technical skill or knowledge or technology required; conventional wisdom, hospitality and service with a smile are just sufficient to provide rural equivalent of a daily urban / metro living to the tired traveler tourist.

Cost benefit analysis - There is no need for any huge initial investment required in the infrastructure creation. Existing fixed assets with slight modifications would be just sufficient. For the traveler and tourist the leisure pursuit and satisfaction will be the benefit and for the rural service provider this will be an additional source for extra gains. Social benefit will be the resultant gain in the long run. Literally, right from day one, this will be profitable!.

Quality agricultural products can be defined as those with identifiable quality attributes, which raise the product above the basic 'commodity' level. This could include projects to raise the quality of production to meet market needs, the formation or development of collaborative groups to market quality products, marketing of organic products, consumer and quality assurance schemes, specialty foods, establishing farmers' markets, regional or local branding of foodstuffs, etc.

Already in some select cities organic vegetables and organic fruits have very good markets. There is a good scope for excellent value addition in these newer areas. This could include projects that promote the revival or expansion of local artisan crafts (thatching, stone masonry, wood carving, hedge-laying, etc), village museums, access to historical features and landscapes and the renovation of historic village buildings. These could then utilized for tourism promotion activities under guided tours.

Projects could include the marketing and promotion of local tourist initiatives, upgrading accommodation, facilities for on-farm tourist activities and craft activities and links to local food catering. Especially projects designed in terms of producing or sustaining a commercial enterprise, which, for example, enhances country leisure pursuits. For example, "What makes a nation a developed one?" The rising GDP growth is good news but the widening rich-poor disparity it causes is not. It can be dangerous too. The answer lies in more allocation of public goods in poor localities — more schools, hospitals, roads, 24-hour power and water, as also support schemes that benefit not merely rich villagers but also the poorest.

The fruits of economic development fall where educated people live, not where they work. Hence, if we want to enrich villages, we should induce the educated to live there. But for this to happen we need to install reliable means of social services and transport and other systems that are on a par with what is available in the cities.