An Investigation with Reference to Tamil Nadu that Examines Agricultural Crowdsourcing as a Tool for Rural Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58574/jaa.2026.v5.i1.05Keywords:
Agricultural Crowdfunding, Rural Development, FinTech, Financial InclusionAbstract
The agricultural sector remains an important livelihood option for those living in rural regions of Tamil Nadu; however, farmers with small and marginal holdings face difficulties in securing the credit they require. Conventional banking organisations and financial organisations tend to ask for various types of documentation when it comes to lending money, and it takes a significant amount of time to complete the process. In this case, agricultural crowdfunding serves as a solution to the above-mentioned issue. This method of crowdfunding implies that farmers are offered financing by means of interaction with individual investors through online channels. The research paper under discussion aims to investigate the potential that the discussed type of crowdfunding holds when it comes to fostering rural development in Tamil Nadu. Different types of literature, including the reports provided by NABARD, state-specific studies, and data regarding digitalisation in Tamil Nadu, will be used for analysis.
This study examines the present status of agricultural credit, the contribution of fintech towards sustainability within the agricultural sector, and the knowledge gap among rural inhabitants regarding the use of technology. According to the findings, even though people have become increasingly interested in digitised financial services, issues such as limited internet connectivity, poor awareness regarding the usage of digitised tools, and uncertainty concerning the legitimacy of such applications continue to persist. The authors claim that through the integration of agricultural crowdfunding and the existing financial infrastructure, and with proper policy guidance, access to financial services will be enhanced, which would facilitate rural development in Tamil Nadu. Moreover, the researchers recommend several measures for improving digital networks, implementing educational campaigns, and fostering partnerships between fintech firms and agricultural entities.
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