"Women Entrepreneurs Leading the way Towards Sustainable Agriculture"

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India and National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad organized a one-day ‘Awareness on Agripreneurship cum Exhibition for Farm Women’ in collaboration with PAMETI, Ludhiana and Department of Agriculture Farmers Welfare, Punjab at PAMETI, Ludhiana, PAU Campus. The objective of the event was to create awareness among farm women and women entrepreneurs regarding entrepreneurial opportunities in Agriculture & Allied Sectors and use of digital media for upscaling and promoting their enterprise. More than 350 farm women, women agripreneurs from all the 23 districts of Punjab participated in the event.

An exhibition was also displayed by around 20 women agripreneurs from different districts of Punjab. The event started with the inauguration of the exhibition displayed by the women entrepreneurs. The women exhibited variety of products like pickles, masalas, honey, handmade jwellery and kantha dresses, crochet bags, muffins, cake, printed suits, candies, amla products, painted suits, phulkari dupatta, jam, squash, murrabba, chutneys, soap, candle, hair oil, millets cookies and other millet products, moringa powder, cocopeat, vermicompost, planters and nursery products, jute bags etc. During interaction, the exhibitors were informed how they can upscale and promote their enterprise using digital media platform and support of the Govt. at the Centre and State.

Ms. Bharti Madan, Deputy Director, PAMETI, Ludhiana gave an overview of the program. Dr. Veenita Kumari, Deputy Director (Gender Studies), MANAGE, Hyderabad delivered the Welcome Address.

Chief Guest of the event, Shri S R Ingle, Joint Director (Extension), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, in his address highlighted the significance of G20 side and main events and gave an overview of the G20 events organized by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India. He further mentioned that at present Women constitute only 14 percent of the total entrepreneurship in India. He focused on the need of proper marketing strategy and labelling of the products for upscaling their infrastructure. He also talked about how Agri Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme of the MoA&FW, Govt. of India can benefit these women entrepreneurs to establish and upscale their primary & secondary processing units. He further emphasized on the benefits of FPOs formation for enhancing their enterprises.

Shri Davinder Singh, Cluster Head, Ludhiana talked about NABARD Initiatives for promoting women entrepreneurship. Dr. Ramandeep Singh, Prof & Head, School of Business Studies shared knowledge on effective marketing strategies for women entrepreneurs. Dr. Veenita Kumari, Deputy Director (Gender Studies), MANAGE, Hyderabad created awareness among the participants on digital marketing for branding and promotion of their enterprise and briefed about the agripreneurship programme for women.

Dr. MIS Gill, Director, PAMETI, Ludhiana on the occasion addressed the participants and said that women empowerment is crucial for enhancing decision making capability of the women. He also appreciated the products displayed by the women entrepreneurs in the exhibition and suggested that packaging and labelling of their products should be of world class for better price.

Dr. R K Dhaliwal, Dean, College of Agriculture, in her address mentioned that farm women and women agripreneurs should enhance their decision-making ability through self-empowerment with money, education and skill. She further said that they must use their experiences and upscale their entrepreneurial skills.

Distinguished subject experts delivered talk on the occasion to create awareness among farm women & women entrepreneurs. Dr. Poonam Sachdev, Head, Deptt. of Food Science & Technology, PAU discussed how women can promote their enterprise in Food Sector.

Few progressive women entrepreneurs – Mrs Gurdev Kaur Deol from Global SHG, Mrs Pooja Rikhi from Kneatknit and Ms. Sukhwinder Kaur from Jeet SHG shared their experience on entrepreneurial journey and also motivated other women participants on use of digital and social media for growing their enterprise.

Balwinder Singh, Deputy Director, Agriculture Extension, PAMETI delivered vote of thanks.