Recent studies have been highlighting the concepts and role of the institute in uplifting the local economy:
“In the village of Surul, renamed Sriniketan, adjacent to Santiniketan, he (Rabindranath Tagore) started an Institute of Rural Reconstruction with the help of a Cornell-trained  English agricultural expert, Leonard Elmhirst.
The kind of work that was begun here has since been repeated and elaborated in many programmes of self-help in India.
For instance, Sriniketan pioneered the manufacture of hand-crafted leather purses and handbags, a cottage industry which has, since then, taken off elsewhere as well and now exports products to many parts of the world.
”Santiniketan Leather Goods have secured GI tag.

“The small scale cottage industry and handicraft items of Sriniketan are identified as special ethnic and traditional products, recognised nationally and even internationally with high esteem.
Students of Tagore’s art and craft centre at Sriniketan and the artists of Kala Bhavana are known for their extra-ordinary skill and craftsmanship.
The surrounding part of the rural economy at this region is basically thriving on a plural economy, sometimes contributing to seasonal sustenance of village families.

"A number of survey reports in the Surul village adjoining Sriniketan reveal that the dwelling units of this village are mostly living on traditional kantha stitch designing on silk and cotton sarees and other accessories, upholsteries continuing throughout the year.
These items involve most of the women of the villages from mainly minority and backward classes who have developed unique skills through repetitive and voluminous productivity.
The men of these families search for market outlets and help these products fetching a fair price.
It is very interesting to note that now-a-days this particular occupation has taken a systematic mass engagement pattern where a number of self-help groups with cluster of at least 9 to 11 or more women together, earning their daily wages and even forming a co-operative for financial support through micro-finance.

"NIFT, the nation-level textile organisation has been working on this model and a good number of NGOs are also coming forward for utilising these rich resource of skilled artisans.
These products fortunately earned reputation not only in the local and national markets, emporiums, shops and exhibitions but they are also exported outside to attract a special focus on ladies and gents fashion statements.

"Kantha stitch occupies the centre stage of Sriniketan’s sustainable economy, there are many more which endowed value to develop Tagore’s dreams of turning Sriniketan as a hub of multi-dimensional artist…Leather goods and handicrafts are equally adorable.
Terracota is another speciality masterpiece of the region.
The modern architectural interiors, wall designing, roof and floor tiles and decoration pieces are mostly crafted with this material capturing the craze of the modern designers… the thermocole Durga, Ganesha, replica of temples of repute exhibit amazing signs of excellence and signature expertise… Plants and plantation export-based programmes are expanding due to the fertile soil and a number of people are working on it which may convert the important destination Sriniketan into a piece of Green Earth where florists and agriculturists tirelessly dedicate them into creating beautiful nurseries of plants and flowers of special types including orchids and medicinal plants and thus toiling on lush greenary of crops and harvests…"
Recent studies have been highlighting the concepts and role of the institute in uplifting the local economy:
“In the village of Surul, renamed Sriniketan, adjacent to Santiniketan, he (Rabindranath Tagore) started an Institute of Rural Reconstruction with the help of a Cornell-trained  English agricultural expert, Leonard Elmhirst. The kind of work that was begun here has since been repeated and elaborated in many programmes of self-help in India. For instance, Sriniketan pioneered the manufacture of hand-crafted leather purses and handbags, a cottage industry which has, since then, taken off elsewhere as well and now exports products to many parts of the world.”Santiniketan Leather Goods have secured GI tag.
“The small scale cottage industry and handicraft items of Sriniketan are identified as special ethnic and traditional products, recognised nationally and even internationally with high esteem. Students of Tagore’s art and craft centre at Sriniketan and the artists of Kala Bhavana are known for their extra-ordinary skill and craftsmanship. The surrounding part of the rural economy at this region is basically thriving on a plural economy, sometimes contributing to seasonal sustenance of village families.
"A number of survey reports in the Surul village adjoining Sriniketan reveal that the dwelling units of this village are mostly living on traditional kantha stitch designing on silk and cotton sarees and other accessories, upholsteries continuing throughout the year. These items involve most of the women of the villages from mainly minority and backward classes who have developed unique skills through repetitive and voluminous productivity. The men of these families search for market outlets and help these products fetching a fair price. It is very interesting to note that now-a-days this particular occupation has taken a systematic mass engagement pattern where a number of self-help groups with cluster of at least 9 to 11 or more women together, earning their daily wages and even forming a co-operative for financial support through micro-finance. 
"NIFT, the nation-level textile organisation has been working on this model and a good number of NGOs are also coming forward for utilising these rich resource of skilled artisans. These products fortunately earned reputation not only in the local and national markets, emporiums, shops and exhibitions but they are also exported outside to attract a special focus on ladies and gents fashion statements. 
"Kantha stitch occupies the centre stage of Sriniketan’s sustainable economy, there are many more which endowed value to develop Tagore’s dreams of turning Sriniketan as a hub of multi-dimensional artist…Leather goods and handicrafts are equally adorable. Terracota is another speciality masterpiece of the region. The modern architectural interiors, wall designing, roof and floor tiles and decoration pieces are mostly crafted with this material capturing the craze of the modern designers… the thermocole Durga, Ganesha, replica of temples of repute exhibit amazing signs of excellence and signature expertise… Plants and plantation export-based programmes are expanding due to the fertile soil and a number of people are working on it which may convert the important destination Sriniketan into a piece of Green Earth where florists and agriculturists tirelessly dedicate them into creating beautiful nurseries of plants and flowers of special types including orchids and medicinal plants and thus toiling on lush greenary of crops and harvests…"
Palli Samgathana Vibhaga