Ukhrul, September 11: A S Sochipem Zimik of Shangshak village, Ukhrul, is preparing to take the voice of Manipur’s rural farmers to the global stage in Tokyo.
Later this month, Sochipem Zimik will attend the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Conference in Tokyo, Japan, scheduled for September 23–24, 2025, where he will present a paper that explores how e-commerce can transform the lives of farming communities in the Northeast.
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The paper, titled “E-commerce as a Driver of Rural Farming Empowerment: Evidence from Manipur,” focuses on Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, regions known for their organic produce but often hampered by limited market access. Sochipem Zimik’s research will highlight how digital platforms can bridge this gap, connect farmers directly with urban consumers, and open sustainable economic pathways.
“The study proposes a conceptual e-commerce model that not only taps into the growing demand for organic products but also uplifts the socio-economic conditions of rural farmers,” he explained. “It’s about building a system where local produce finds its rightful place in bigger markets.”
Currently a faculty researcher at Sunchon National University in South Korea, Sochipem Zimik’, he previously served as an Assistant Professor at SRM University, Sikkim, and earned his Ph.D. at Assam University, where his work laid the foundation for his research in management and rural development.
His professional experience also spans corporate liaison roles in Bangalore, an MBA in Marketing, and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering. With publications in Taylor & Francis and Springer, as well as editorial roles in journals such as PLOS One and the Science Journal of Business and Management, Sochipem Zimik’s academic voice resonates well beyond Manipur.
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Speaking to Ukhrul Times, Sochipem Zimik shared the abstract of his paper stating that his study aims to position e-commerce as a sustainable and impactful approach for empowering rural farming communities in Manipur, India. By exploring the market potential and urban acceptance of organic products, it proposes a conceptual e-commerce model tailored to the socio-economic upliftment of rural farmers.
The study he said pursues two primary objectives:
(1) to develop a conceptual model for e-commerce-based organic product marketing that enhances the socio-economic status of rural farmers in Manipur, and
(2) to examine the feasibility of the e-com model in empowering rural farmers with reference to Manipur.
He further added that a descriptive research methodology was adopted, utilizing primary data collected through structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data from farmers were analyzed using factor analysis, while qualitative insights were synthesized into an opinion matrix. The findings highlight the significant potential of an e-commerce platform to improve farmers’ economic well-being and reduce rural-urban migration driven by economic disparities. The study underscores the necessity of such a model in the agricultural sector, especially when coupled with the rising demand for organic products. It recommends further exploration and scaling of the proposed model to broader contexts.
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