ABSTRACT
India's rural economy faces critical challenges, including land fragmentation, climate vulnerability, and persistent income disparities with urban areas. This chapter stresses that a shift from agriculture-centric development to place-based rural workforce diversification using Porter's Diamond Model framework can be instrumental for India. The place-based approach emphasises leveraging local assets, creating advantages, and territorial specificities rather than applying uniform development models. Drawing on theoretical foundations and evidence, this study demonstrates how rural competitiveness can be enhanced through strategic investments in human capital, entrepreneurial infrastructure, and integrated value chains.
