Entrepreneurship Development in the Indian Beedi Sector: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Today, entrepreneurship is considered to be one of the most critical factors contributing towards an economy’s growth and development since it can contribute immensely towards the wealth-creation and employment generation. But for the proper development of entrepreneurship it is essential to understand the factors hindering its growth. In this backdrop, our paper seeks to comprehend the issues and major challenges faced by the entrepreneurs in the Indian beedi sector. In India, the beedi manufacturing is a traditional agro-forest based industry. The Indian beedi industry employs more than seven million and is worth 150-200 million rupees. More than 16 percent of the beedi workers are from West Bengal, and majorly from the district of Murshidabad. Many of the beedi barons in India are from Murshidabad. The study has been carried out in the district of Murshidabad, West Bengal. A questionnaire entitled ‘Obstacles to Entrepreneurship Development’ has been administered and personal interviews have been conducted to collect the data. The data collected have been analyzed to draw proper inferences. The findings of this research work will definitely help us to identify the problems associated with entrepreneurship in the beedi sector. Appropriate strategies to overcome the problems have also been proposed in this study. The results of this study have implications for the existing entrepreneurs, would-be entrepreneurs, the educational institutes, and the centres engaged in the promotion of entrepreneurship.