Pro-Poor, Entrepreneur-Based Innovation And It's Role In Rural Development

Innovation spurs economic growth and development. Pro-poor innovation in rural areas is more likely to occur through small-scale ventures and entrepreneurs than industrial research and development. Whilst previous rural development policies have focused on small-holder agriculture, the fact is that most rural poor are landless poor and therefore unlikely to benefit greatly from agriculture-based policies. Instead most poor are entrepreneurs, running micro ventures, often at subsistence levels in both agriculture related and non-farm sectors. Though most rural poor are entrepreneurs out of necessity, a few are opportunity entrepreneurs pursuing a profitable business, innovating and looking to grow.