Curriculum Overview for Rural Marketing
The curriculum for the Rural Marketing program is structured over eight semesters, with a balanced mix of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and practical labs. The first four semesters focus on building foundational knowledge in economics, agriculture, communication, and marketing principles. From the fifth semester onwards, students can choose from specialized tracks based on their interests and career aspirations.
| SEMESTER | COURSE CODE | COURSE TITLE | CREDIT STRUCTURE (L-T-P-C) | PRE-REQUISITES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RM101 | Introduction to Rural Marketing | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | RM102 | Agricultural Science Fundamentals | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | RM103 | Economics of Agriculture | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 1 | RM104 | Communication Skills for Rural Outreach | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 1 | RM105 | Basic Statistics and Data Analysis | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 2 | RM201 | Rural Consumer Psychology | 3-1-0-4 | RM101, RM103 |
| 2 | RM202 | Agricultural Marketing Systems | 3-1-0-4 | RM101, RM103 |
| 2 | RM203 | Supply Chain Management in Agriculture | 3-1-0-4 | RM101, RM103 |
| 2 | RM204 | Data Analytics for Market Research | 3-1-0-4 | RM105 |
| 2 | RM205 | Introduction to Fieldwork Techniques | 2-0-2-3 | - |
| 3 | RM301 | Digital Marketing Strategies in Rural Contexts | 3-1-0-4 | RM201, RM202 |
| 3 | RM302 | Sustainable Branding for Agri-Enterprises | 3-1-0-4 | RM201, RM202 |
| 3 | RM303 | Ethical Marketing Practices | 3-1-0-4 | RM201 |
| 3 | RM304 | Innovation Management in Agriculture | 3-1-0-4 | RM202 |
| 3 | RM305 | Rural Market Research and Analytics | 3-1-0-4 | RM204 |
| 4 | RM401 | Cooperative Marketing Models | 3-1-0-4 | RM301, RM302 |
| 4 | RM402 | Rural Financial Inclusion and Microfinance | 3-1-0-4 | RM203 |
| 4 | RM403 | Cultural Marketing and Community Engagement | 3-1-0-4 | RM201 |
| 4 | RM404 | Global Agricultural Trade and Export Marketing | 3-1-0-4 | RM301, RM302 |
| 4 | RM405 | Rural Market Research Lab | 0-0-4-2 | RM204 |
| 5 | RM501 | Advanced Digital Marketing Techniques | 3-1-0-4 | RM301, RM302 |
| 5 | RM502 | Agri-Tech Startup Creation | 3-1-0-4 | RM304 |
| 5 | RM503 | Sustainable Branding for Rural Enterprises | 3-1-0-4 | RM302 |
| 5 | RM504 | Entrepreneurship in Agriculture | 3-1-0-4 | RM304 |
| 5 | RM505 | Research Methodology and Data Analysis | 3-1-0-4 | RM205 |
| 6 | RM601 | Rural Branding Strategies | 3-1-0-4 | RM501, RM503 |
| 6 | RM602 | Agri-Tech Innovation Lab | 0-0-4-2 | - |
| 6 | RM603 | Policy Analysis in Agricultural Marketing | 3-1-0-4 | RM505 |
| 6 | RM604 | Community Engagement and Stakeholder Management | 3-1-0-4 | RM303, RM304 |
| 6 | RM605 | International Trade in Agriculture | 3-1-0-4 | RM404 |
| 7 | RM701 | Capstone Project I | 0-0-6-6 | - |
| 7 | RM702 | Final Year Thesis | 0-0-8-8 | - |
| 7 | RM703 | Industry Internship | 0-0-6-4 | - |
| 7 | RM704 | Professional Ethics and Social Responsibility | 2-1-0-3 | - |
| 8 | RM801 | Capstone Project II | 0-0-6-6 | - |
| 8 | RM802 | Advanced Topics in Rural Marketing | 3-1-0-4 | - |
| 8 | RM803 | Leadership and Team Management | 2-1-0-3 | - |
| 8 | RM804 | Graduation Seminar | 0-0-2-2 | - |
Advanced Departmental Elective Courses
The department offers several advanced elective courses that allow students to specialize in specific areas of interest. These courses are designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical skills relevant to current industry trends.
Digital Marketing Strategies in Rural Contexts
This course explores the application of digital tools and platforms specifically tailored for rural audiences. Students will learn how to create effective digital campaigns, analyze user engagement metrics, and utilize social media for agricultural outreach.
Sustainable Branding for Agri-Enterprises
This elective focuses on developing sustainable branding strategies that align with environmental values while ensuring commercial viability. Topics include eco-labeling, green marketing communication, and integrating traditional knowledge systems into modern brand narratives.
Ethical Marketing Practices
Students will examine ethical dilemmas in rural marketing and develop frameworks for responsible decision-making. The course covers corporate social responsibility, fair trade principles, and community impact assessment methods.
Innovation Management in Agriculture
This course introduces students to innovation processes within agricultural markets, including ideation, prototyping, testing, and scaling new products or services. Emphasis is placed on understanding innovation ecosystems and leveraging technology for market transformation.
Rural Market Research and Analytics
Students will gain proficiency in conducting comprehensive market research studies in rural environments. The course covers sampling techniques, survey design, data interpretation, and presentation skills essential for delivering actionable insights to stakeholders.
Agri-Tech Startup Creation
This elective prepares students to launch their own ventures by providing a framework for identifying opportunities, validating business models, securing funding, and managing startups in the agricultural technology space.
Rural Financial Inclusion and Microfinance
This course examines financial inclusion strategies designed for rural populations. Students will explore microcredit systems, insurance products, mobile banking innovations, and regulatory frameworks supporting inclusive finance initiatives.
Cultural Marketing and Community Engagement
Students will study how cultural values influence consumer behavior and learn to design marketing campaigns that resonate with local communities. The course includes ethnographic research methods and participatory approaches to community outreach.
Global Agricultural Trade and Export Marketing
This elective addresses international trade dynamics in agriculture, including export regulations, tariff structures, logistics management, and cross-cultural communication in global markets.
Rural Branding Strategies
This course builds upon foundational branding concepts to develop strategies for creating memorable and impactful brand identities in rural contexts. Students will learn about visual identity development, storytelling techniques, and brand positioning in agricultural markets.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department strongly believes in project-based learning as a cornerstone of effective education. Projects are structured to mirror real-world challenges faced by rural marketers, encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaborative teamwork.
Mini-projects begin in the third year, where students work on small-scale initiatives under faculty supervision. These projects typically last six weeks and involve research, fieldwork, data collection, analysis, and presentation of findings to peers and faculty members.
The final-year thesis or capstone project spans an entire semester and requires students to undertake an independent investigation or consultative assignment for a real organization. This experience provides them with an opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of both theoretical and applied knowledge while contributing meaningfully to ongoing challenges in rural marketing.
Project selection involves discussions between students and faculty mentors, ensuring alignment with individual interests and career goals. Faculty mentors guide students throughout the process, offering feedback, resources, and support needed to complete high-quality projects that have real-world implications.