TARU PUBLICATIONS
Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences cover

Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences

(Since 1980)
Hybrid ·Peer-reviewed·ISSN (Online): 2169-0103·ISSN (Print): 0252-2667

WoS  JIF 2026 : 0.4 (Q4)

Powered by:Powered by

Monthly Journal: Publishes theoretical and applied research on topics in information and optimization sciences.

Issues up to 2022 co-published with and available at:Taylor & Francis
submissions@tarupublications.com
Taru Online First Current IssueSpecial IssuesBrowse all Issues
Journal of Information and Optimization Sciences
Open Access Research Article

Seeds of change : Empowering women agri-entrepreneurs in India through key drivers

* , ,

* Corresponding author · click or hover a name for details

pp. 2575–2587Vol. 46Issue 8November 2025DOI: 10.47974/JIOS-2080XML
Received:
05 Feb 2025
Published Online:
28 Nov 2025
Article type:
Research Article
Language:
EN
Article no.:
JIOS-2080
Pages:
2575–2587

Abstract

This study explores the key drivers behind women’s participation in agricultural entrepreneurship in rural India, emphasizing factors that enable women to establish and sustain agri-enterprises. This study examines the key drivers for women’s involvement in 14rural India’s agricultural entrepreneurship, focusing on the elements that allow women to start and grow agribusinesses. The research uses Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to identify ten key drivers: the need for achievement and self-motivation; the ability to make decisions; government policies and support; marketing networks and market access; training and skill development; family support; digital transformation and technology adoption; work-life balance; innovativeness and adaptability; and being independent financially. The capacity to decide for themselves and be financially independent were determined to be essential for enabling women to lead their business endeavours. Women are additionally supported by market access and government regulations, which lower obstacles and provide necessary resources. In order for women to continue their business endeavours, family support became a crucial component in striking a balance between work and family obligations. Furthermore, the use of technology and the development of skills were important facilitators that increased the efficiency and production of women’s agribusinesses. The results also emphasize the value of self-motivation and flexibility, which help women entrepreneurs become more resilient and creative. The study comes to the conclusion that addressing these issues with focused interventions can greatly improve the growth and sustainability of agribusinesses run by women. The wider socioeconomic development of rural areas can be accomplished by encouraging women to engage in agricultural entrepreneurship, which will ultimately lead to more sustainable and inclusive farming methods.

Keywords

Women entrepreneursAgricultural entrepreneurshipRural developmentFinancial independenceGovernment policies and supportDigital transformation in agricultureInnovation and adaptability

Subject Classifications

91B74

References

[1] “Women entrepreneurs as small medium enterprise (SME) operators and their roles in socio-economic development in Ota, Nigeria.” Accessed: Sept. 13 (2025). [Online]. Available: https://catalog.ihsn.org/citations/65343
[2] “Sixth Economic Census | Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation | Government Of India.” Accessed: Sept. 13 (2025). [Online]. Available: https://www.mospi.gov.in/sixth-economic-census
[3] “The Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs”.
[4] “(PDF) an analysis of role of women entrepreneurs in msme sector in India,” ResearchGate (Aug. 2025), doi: 10.21474/IJAR01/18151.
[5] “(PDF) Female Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Economy and Development—Challenges, Drivers, and Suggested Policies for Resource-Rich Countries,” ResearchGate (Apr. 2025), doi: 10.3390/su142013412.
[6] “Coronavirus pandemic: How women entrepreneurs are riding out the COVID-19 lockdown in India.” Accessed: Sept. 13 (2025). [Online]. Available: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/features-2/coronavirus-pandemic-how-women-entrepreneurs-are-riding-out-the-covid-19-lockdown-in-india-5236661.html
[7] “The Influence of Perceived Motivational Factors on Success of Women-Driven Ventures and Their Contribution in Economic Development,” ResearchGate (Mar. 2025), doi: 10.1177/09722629211008268.
[8] “GEM Global Entrepreneurship Monitor,” GEM Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. Accessed: Sept. 13 (2025). [Online]. Available: https://www.gemconsortium.org/report/gem-202021-womens-entrepreneurship-report-thriving-through-crisis
[9] “(PDF) Impact of Risk-Taking Attitude and Need for Achievement on Women Entrepreneurs Success HL. Chidananda Divya Thankom Varghese,” ResearchGate (Aug. 2025), doi: 10.34293/management.v11i1.6305.
[10] “(PDF) Impact of Financial Independence of Women Entrepreneurs of on Their Families,” ResearchGate (Aug. 2025), doi: 10.46501/IJMTST0801050.
[11] “(PDF) Motivations and challenges of women entrepreneurs: Experiences of small businesses in Jaipur city of Rajasthan,” ResearchGate (Aug. 2025), doi: 10.1108/IJSSP-09-2018-0146.
[12] “Innovativeness and entrepreneurial performance of female entrepreneurs | Request PDF,” ResearchGate (Apr. 2025), doi: 10.1016/j.jik.2022.100257.
[13] R. K. Kovid, N. Singh, and A. Kumar, “Investigating the Impact of Women Entrepreneurs’ Competencies on Firm Performance in an Emerging Economy,” Ramanujan Int. J. Bus. Res., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1–12 (June 2023), doi: 10.51245/rijbr.v8i1.2023.1196.
[14] M. Talreja, “Women Entrepreneurship and Work Life Balance,” Glob. J. Hum.-Soc. Sci., vol. 17, no. H6, pp. 11–23 (May 2017).
[15] A. Bullough, U. Guelich, T. S. Manolova, and L. Schjoedt, “Women’s entrepreneurship and culture: gender role expectations and identities, societal culture, and the entrepreneurial environment,” Small Bus. Econ., vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 985–996 (Feb. 2022), doi: 10.1007/s11187-020-00429-6.
[16] M. Y. Arafat, J. Ali, A. K. Dwivedi, and I. Saleem, “Social and Cognitive Aspects of Women Entrepreneurs: Evidence from India,” Vikalpa, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 223–239 (Dec. 2020), doi: 10.1177/02560909211015457.
[17] R. U. Khan, Y. Salamzadeh, S. Z. A. Shah, and M. Hussain, “Factors affecting women entrepreneurs’ success: a study of small- and medium-sized enterprises in emerging market of Pakistan,” J. Innov. Entrep., vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 11 (Mar. 2021), doi: 10.1186/s13731-021-00145-9.
[18] “(PDF) Empowering Women for Technology Entrepreneurship: Opportunities and Challenges,” ResearchGate (Aug. 2025), doi: 10.34190/icgr.7.1.2064.
[19] “Networking towards (in)equality: Women entrepreneurs in technology - Ozkazanc‐Pan - 2018 - Gender, Work & Organization - Wiley Online Library.” Accessed: Sept. 13 (2025). [Online]. Available: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/gwao.12225
[20] K. Anandharaman and G. Rangasamy, “Investigating the Impact of the Spouse and Family in the Female Entrepreneur’s Life: A Conceptual Framework,” J. Law Sustain. Dev., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. e704–e704 (Aug. 2023), doi: 10.55908/sdgs.v11i2.704.
[21] P. K. and D. R. Bhardwaj, “The Impact of Government Policies on Women Entrepreneurship: An Analytical Study in India,” MSW Manag. J., vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 783–793 (2023), doi: 10.7492/hcmhav82.
[22] “Assessing the effectiveness of government and non-governmental organization in assisting internally displaced women in Nigeria - Bamidele - 2023 - Development Policy Review - Wiley Online Library.” Accessed: Sept. 13 (2025). [Online]. Available: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/dpr.12682
[23] F. (Olufunmilola) Ojediran and A. Anderson, “Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Global South: Empowering and Emancipating?,” Adm. Sci., vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 87 (Dec. 2020), doi: 10.3390/admsci10040087.

Views: 126Downloads: 69Citations: 0