SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

Women entrepreneurs may be defined as a women or a group of women

who initiate, organize and run a business enterprise. Women owned business

are highly increasing. Entrepreneurs create economic growth in their

communities by forming new firms.

VALUE OF ENTREPRENEURS TO THE COMMUNITY

Entrepreneurs add great value to local economies. Other entrepreneurs start

firms that will become high-growth businesses.

MEANING AND DEFINITION OF AN ENTREPRENEUR

The origin of the basic word Entrepreneurship is from a French word

Entrepreneurship, where it cradled and originally meant to designate an

organizer of certain musical or other entertainments. The Oxford English

Dictionary (of 1897) defines the term Entrepreneur in similar way as the

director or a manager of a public musical institution, one who gets-up

entertainment arranged , especially musical performance. Initially in the early

16th century, it was applied to those who were engaged in military

expeditions. In 17th century. It was extended to cover civil engineering

activities such as construction and fortification. Entrepreneurship refers to the

act of setting up a new business or reviving an existing business so as to take

advantages from new opportunities. Thus, entrepreneurs shape the economy

by creating new wealth and new jobs and by inventing new products and

services. However, an insight study reveals that it is not about making money,

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having the greatest ideas, knowing the best sales pitch, applying the best

marketing strategy. It is in reality an attitude to create something new and an

activity which creates value in the entire social eco-system.

TYPES OF ENTREPRENEURS

Entrepreneurs are a unique group of people. Idealist: - The idealist

entrepreneur is the most common type of entrepreneur. Artiste:- These are

creativity oriented entrepreneurs.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Women were the first humans to taste bondage. On the contrary, the overall

growth of women remained stunted. Women were denied the benefit of

education. Economically women became completely dependent upon men.

entrepreneurs has emerged. Women entrepreneurs in India have to cope with

various socio-economic problems. Women become entrepreneurs due to

several factors which may be grouped under Pull factors and Push

factors.

In the Indian context, participation of women as entrepreneurs commenced

from 1970s onwards. In urban India, women, entrepreneurs are found in 4

Es- Electricity, Electronics, Energy and Engineering. However, women in

rural India have confined themselves to petty business and tiny cottage

industries. Majorities of rural women entrepreneurs are concentrated in low-

paid, low-skilled, low-technology and low-productivity jobs. Government of

India (1984) has defined woman entrepreneur as an enterprise owned

and controlled by a women having a minimum financial interest of 51

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percent of the capital and giving at least 51 percent of employment

generated in the enterprise to women. This definition does not suit to rural

women entrepreneurs in India. Any rural woman or a group of rural women

which innovates, imitates or adapts an economic activity may be referred as a

rural woman entrepreneur. Secondly, rural woman entrepreneur could be

defined as `an adult rural woman who creates, owns, and runs an enterprise

in rural area.

In another words, it can be said that rural women entrepreneur means one

who organizes, owns, manage and assumes the risks of business at

rural level. The rural women, who innovate, imitate or adopt an economic and

commercial activity in rural India can be called rural entrepreneur or

entrepreneurship.

The ILO defined the womens enterprise as a small unit where one or more

women entrepreneurs have not less than 50 per cent financial holdings. In

what follows, an attempt is made to analyse the success of such a scheme in

terms of its survival, growth and development of women entrepreneurs and

identify the problems faced by the women entrepreneurs.

Women Entrepreneurship means an act of business ownership and

business creation that empowers women economically increases their

economic strength as well as position in society. Women Entrepreneurs have

been making a significant impact in all segments of economy of the world.

The concept of women entrepreneurship is becoming a global phenomenon

playing a vital role in the business community Women entrepreneurs also

contribute to Indias economic prosperity. In terms of skill development,

women are impeded by their lack of mobility, low literacy levels and prejudiced

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attitudes towards women. Skilled women must therefore become more

attracted to entrepreneurship. Woman constitutes the family, which leads to

society and Nation. Social and economic development of women is necessary

for overall economic development of any society or a country. Social and

economic development of women is necessary for overall economic

development of any society or a country. The basic qualities required for

entrepreneurs and the basic characters of Indian women, reveal that, much

potential is available among the Indian women on their entrepreneurial ability.

Women Entrepreneurs may be defined as the women or a group of women

who initiate, organize and operate a business enterprise. When we speak

about the term Women Entrepreneurship we mean, an act of business

ownership and business creation that empowers women economically,

increases their economic strength as well as position in society.

Women are to be considered as equal partners in the process of

development. Women in India have been the neglected lot. Women

Entrepreneur" is a person who accepts challenging role to meet her personal

needs and become economically independent.

TRAITS OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN INDIA

Women are ambitious

Women are confident

Women is open and willing to learn

Women are cost conscious

Women values cooperation and allegiance

Women can balance home and work

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 Women focus on their plans

Women are resourceful

An effectual women entrepreneur requires certain additional essential

qualities-

Matching the basic qualities required for entrepreneurs and the basic

characters of Indian women reveal that, much potential is available among

the Indian women on their entrepreneurial ability.

QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR

Matching the basic qualities required for entrepreneurs and the basic

characters of Indian women reveal that, much potential is available among the

Indian women on their entrepreneurial ability. The vast majority of the worlds

poor are women. Women and small business management. Women

Entrepreneurship is recognized as a vehicle for economic growth.

REASONS FOR EMERGENCE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Skill, knowledge and adaptability in business are the main reasons for women

to emerge into business ventures. Women Entrepreneur is a person who

accepts challenging role to meet her personal needs and become

economically independent. The following flow chart shows the reasons for

women becoming entrepreneurs. Varied motivation needs and interests

plunge in women entrepreneurs for establishing an enterprise. Factors that

normally make women to be entrepreneurs include:

Educated women utilizing their knowledge gained;

Family occupation (Second generation entrepreneurs); and

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The assessment of business management skill is essential for every women

entrepreneur before she starts her business as it provides the knowledge of

ones Management skills required for women entrepreneurs.

HURDLES IN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN INDIA

Major barriers for women entrepreneurs in India are choice between family

and career Illiteracy or low level of Education. The processing-manufacturing

sector.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Keeping the view of need of women entrepreneurship in the agri business

researcher conducted the study on the following sub objectives:

To portray a profile of women entrepreneurs and their enterprises in the

small scale sector.

To explore gender differences in entrepreneurial characteristics.

To identify problems unique to women in setting up and running their

food processing enterprises.

To document existing policies, programmes, institutional networks and

the involvement of support agencies in promoting women's

entrepreneurship.

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Hypotheses:-

1. low income group exercise greater freedom in making the decision to

start business as compared to middle class women.

2. Gender discrimination is encountered at every stage for business

development.

3. A large number of women with little or no education enter into business

without undergoing any training.

AGRI PROCESSING BUSINESS IN INDIA WITH REFERENCE TO UTTAR

PRADESH

Post independence era in India witnessed rapid growth in agro processing

sector Lead was given by the rice processing industry, followed closely by

wheat milling, paper and pulp industry, milk processing sector, jute industry,

sugarcane processing and oils extraction through solvent plants. The

following segments within the Agri Processing industry:

Dairy, fruits & vegetable processing

Grain processing

Meat & poultry processing

The agri processing industry contributed 7 per cent to Indias GDP. The industry

employs 13 million workers directly.

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 SEGMENTATION OF DIFFERENT SECTORS IN AGRI PROCESSING

INDUSTRY

OVERVIEW OF INDIAS AGRI PROCESSING INDUSTRY

The product classes under APEDA are Floriculture, Fresh and Processed Fruits and

Vegetables, Animal Products, Organic Products, and Cereals. Chief products

manufactured are infant milk food, malted food, condensed milk and cheese.

GRAIN-BASED PRODUCTS -Grain-based products are the largest contributor the

Food Processing Industry, accounting for over 28% to 30% of revenues. Processing

of meat products is licensed under Meat Food Products Order, (MFPO), 1973.

FISH PROCESSING

CONSUMER FOODS-Consumer food industry includes packaged foods, aerated soft

drinks, packaged drinking water and alcoholic beverages.

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SIGNIFIC ANC E FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AGRI- PROCESSING

INDUSTRY

The agri industry is regarded as an extended arm of agriculture. Food also

encompasses a wide variety of processed products. In terms of registered

units, according to latest Annual survey of industries of 2006-07 there are only

2154 registered agro-processing industries located in different districts of the

states. In view of promotion of agro processing industries the state has

identified few potential areas for initiating expansion of different agro-

processing industries.

CONTRIBUTION OF AGRI-INDUSTRIES

Among them the industries operating in the product group of grain milling and

animal feeds, sugar and other food groups are the dominant product group of

agro-based industries accounting for over 17 per cent share in total existing

industrial sector in the state.

Because, the industries involved in the processing of vegetables, animal oils

and fats, dairy products, grain milling and animal feeds are operating in total

loss with a negative contribution ranging from 74 percent to 33 percent in all

agro-processing sector.

A total of 1.56 lakh workforce is employed in different agro-processing

industries in the State. The share is employment of agro-processing industries

to overall industrial sector accounted nearly 23 per cent. In the different

product groups of Agro-industries, the share of employment in manufacture of

sugar and other food products accounted as high as nearly 67 percent as

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against only 5 percent in manufacture of dairy products followed by 7 percent

in manufacture of vegetables, animal oils and fats.

SIZE OF AGRI-PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

Even the size of capital investment and value of output per unit has been

estimated relatively higher in favor of agro- industries than the case of non-

agro industries. Per unit total value of invested capital output in agro-

processing industries is estimated at Rs.861 lakh and Rs 12865 lakh

respectively as against Rs 779 lakh and Rs 1549 lakh at Rs.1211 lakh in non-

agro- processing industries respectively. In case of different product group of

agro industries, the size of capital investment as well as value of output per

unit have been noted significantly much higher in almost the product groups of

agro industries except in manufacturing of vegetables, animal oils and fats

as compared to non-agro- industries as a whole. The second majority of 42

percent units are involved in the processing of other food products.

TRENDS IN GROWTH OF AGRI INDUSTRIES

As the growth rate of agro industries accounted over nearly 20 percent as

against 19 percent for non agro industries during this period. agro-product

groups of industries together has shown a remarkable growth trend in the

past.

Looking into the legal ownership situation of Agro- industries it depicted that

both registered and un-registered industries are registered under single

ownership but the proportion of such industries is remarkably higher among

the un-registered industries as compared to registered industries in each of

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the product groups of Agro- Industries. Among them the proportion of un-

registered industries accounted 86 percent as against 72 percent for

registered industries.

CHALLENGES FOR WOMEN ENTRPRENEURS IN AGRO PROCESSING

BUSINESS
The role and degree of integration of women in economic development is an

indicator of economic independence and higher social status of women.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG POOR WOMEN

Indian study of women entrepreneurs defined womens enterprise as a small

unit where one or more women entrepreneurs have not less than 51 per cent

holding (Mishra 1996). giving atleast 50 percent of the employment

generated in the enterprise to women. Women especially poor women

generally venture out as entrepreneurs in the micro enterprise sector. Women

involved in micro enterprises are largely concerned with exceptions. Though

women entrepreneurs are classified into separate category vis--vis labouring

women, what is often forgotten is the gender issue which straddles women

across sectors.

WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE

Even government programmes often fail to focus on women in agriculture. It is

estimated that presently women entrepreneurs comprise about 10% of the

total entrepreneurs in India. The term Women Entrepreneurship mean, an

act of business ownership and business creation that empowers women

economically, increases their economic strength as well as position in society.

Indian women business owners are changing the face of businesses today,

both literally and figuratively. Womens contribution to development is

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seriously underestimated and thus their social recognition is limited.

Entrepreneurship enhances financial independence and self esteem of

women. Entrepreneurial work has also been predominantly a man's world in

India, are women. It is important for these people on the limitations faced by

the women and to plan supporting systems to enhance the women

entrepreneurship in India. Indian women of today have taken many strides

towards business ownership.

The broad classification of women business owners include women who

establish, inherit, or acquire a business; women who start businesses with

spouses or business partners but are either at the forefront or behind the

scenes, and finally, women who start fast-growing or part-time or slow

growing firms. Cooperative institutions and especially the agricultural

cooperatives are the agencies which hold enormous potential for the

development of women, and more particularly the rural women. Rural women

are actively involved in the process of food production, processing and

marketing. Women, however, retain a strong orientation to self-help and group

cooperation.

CHALLENGES FACED BY WOMEN-OWNED SMEs

Urban environment is favourable to identifying and creating awareness

regarding womens self-capabilities. According to Mehta and Mehta, 2011,

women in India live protected lives. Many women have good business skills

but they do not want to work with male workers and sometimes male workers

are not ready to work with women entrepreneurs. The family members and

the society are not willing to stand by women with entrepreneurial

development potential. The educational level and professional skills also

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influence women participation in the field of enterprise. We are providing

education to the women but not providing professional education.

COMPETING IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS: THE CHALLENGES FACED

BY WOMEN-OWNED SMEs

Female workers are considerably affected by the globalisation process both

positively and negatively. On the one hand, foreign firms supply job

opportunities to women where none might have existed otherwise, break

down social barriers and provide an entry point for women into the labour

market. In many instances, these opportunities are in new areas and therefore

are not male dominated. Moreover, it is easier to redistribute access to

knowledge and skills than land and accumulated wealth. (Keller-Herzog.

1996).

GOVERNMENT POLICIES, PROGRAMMES FOR PROMOTING WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AGRI PROCESSING BUSINESS

The Rural Industries Programmes were to cover all kinds of small industries

and processing industries based on agriculture. Agri-industries of the 'eighties

are essentially understood in terms of food processing industries. For the

purpose of achieving growth of agri-processing industry in the country the

Ministry of food processing was set up in July 1988 to give an impetus to

development of food processing sector in the country. The ministry further

reorganized itself to act as a catalyst for getting larger investments in food

processing sector, increasing exports and creating a general atmosphere for

healthy growth of the food processing industries.

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Introduction of Modern technology could help raise the average productivity in

food processing, but to expect modern food processing industries to create a

substantial rural job opportunities may not be realistic.

THE U.P. FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY POLICY 2012

The Food Processing Industry Policy - 2012 aims at creating a favourable

atmosphere for setting up of food processing units in the state through

creation of infrastructure facilities, encouragement to capital investment and

technological up-gradation, human resource development, development of

marketing network, research & development promotion, quality & certification

and grants and concessions.

Development of Infrastructure Facilities

It is very important that quality infrastructure facilities are available for

development of food processing industries in the state.

Identification of Food Processing Zones

Food Processing Zones will be identified on the basis of availability and

suitability of local raw material for setting up of food processing industries in

different districts of the state. Food processing units in these zones will be

strengthened through various schemes being implemented by the central and

state governments.

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Development of Mega Food Parks & Cold Chain Facility

To Make Available Conducive Atmosphere For Setting Up Food

Processing Industry-The state government will make sincere efforts to meet

the basic requirements of the entrepreneurs for setting up of food processing

industries in the state.

Capital Investment Promotion

Market Development- The state government will take appropriate measures

for promoting market development in food processing sector and sustaining

growth of industries and competitive spirit amidst them. Under the food

processing industry policy, an e-portal will be launched for backward-forward

linkages, market development, global competition, quality and certification, e-

govemance and easy availability of information regarding food processing

sector.

Human Resource Development- The state government will encourage

introduction of study courses on food processing, packaging and agri-

marketing in the universities of the state. Assistance shall be provided to

reputed public sector institutions in the state for research and development

projects in food processing sector.

The following concessions and subsidies will be available to the units set up

under the Food Processing Industry Policy-2012:

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Capital Investment Subsidy- Units in the field of agri processing units, food

processing units, food parks, solar energy and alternative energy in the state

will be provided 100 per cent exemption from stamp duty.

Under UP Food Processing Industry Policy- 2012, exemption from Mandi fees

and development cess will be available for 10 years to new food processing

export oriented industries using perishable raw material, on the exported

quantity.

Provision For Patent / Design Registration Under The UP Food

Processing Industry Policy, 2012- Under the UP Food Processing Industry

Policy- 2012, food safety standards will be extensively disseminated through

publicity and awareness creation.

Under the National Food Processing Mission, specialized training on

entrepreneurship development in the field of food processing will be provided

at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, Defence Food

Research Lab, Mysore and other reputed training institutions of state and

Government of India. With a view to encourage the food processing sector,

seminars will be organized under the National Food Processing Mission, for

which reputed industrial organizations/associations, state government/

educational institutions, district level industrial organizations/private

institutions and reputed Non Government Organizations having competence

of and experience in organizing such programmes on food processing sector,

will be eligible. With a view to encourage food processing sector in the state

under the National Food Processing Mission, study tours will be organized

from time to time for entrepreneurs, departmental officers and employees

which may help in setting up of food processing industries in the state.

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SCHEMES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF WOMEN

ENTREPRENEURS

Trade related entrepreneurship assistance and development scheme

for women (TREAD)
Micro & small enterprises cluster development programme (MSE-CDP)

Credit guarantee fund scheme

National bank for agriculture and rural development (NABARD)

The rural small business development centre (RSBDC)

National small industries corporation (NSIC)

Small industries development bank of india (SIDBI)

Rural and women entrepreneurship development (RWED)

Uttar pradesh state industrial development corporation (UPSIDC)

Uttar pradesh small industries corporation (UPSIC)

More comprehensive initiatives have been undertaken for achieving

increasing expansion of Agro-processing industries though establishing a

separate Food Processing ministry both at central and state government level.

CONCLUSION

The problems and constraints experienced by women entrepreneurs have

resulted in restricting the expansion of women entrepreneurship.

The greatest challenge to women entrepreneurs is that they are women.

Male members think it a big risk financing the ventures run by women.

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 In a male dominated society, women are not treated equal to men that act

as a barrier to womans entry into business.

Women in India lead a protected life. Women's family obligations also bar

them from becoming successful entrepreneurs in both developed and

developing nations. Indian women give more emphasis to family ties and

relationships. Married women have to make a fine balance between

business and family. The business success also depends on the support

the family members extended to women in the business process and

management.

Womens family and personal obligations are sometimes a great barrier for

succeeding in business career. High production cost of some agri business

operations adversely affects the development of women entrepreneurs.

Women controlled business are often small and it is not always easy for

women to access the information they need regarding technology, training,

innovative schemes, concessions, alternative markets, etc. Achievement

motivation of the women folk found less compared to male members.

In Summary we can say that serious problems faced by women entrepreneurs

as improper infrastructural facilities, high cost of production, attitude of people

of society towards the women modern business outlook, low needs of

enterprise. Women also tend to start business about ten years later than men,

on average. Motherhood, lack of management experience, and traditional

socialization has all been cited as reasons for delayed entry into

entrepreneurial careers.

SUGGESTIONS

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 There should be a continuous attempt to inspire, encourage, motivate and

co-operate women entrepreneurs.

Vocational training to be extended to women community that enables them

to understand the production process and production management.

Skill development to be done in women's polytechnics and industrial

training institutes.

International, National, Local trade fairs, Industrial exhibitions, seminars

and conferences should be organized to help women to facilitate

interaction with other women entrepreneurs.

Women in business should be offered soft loans & subsidies for

encouraging them into industrial activities.

Making provision of micro credit system and enterprise credit system to

the women entrepreneurs at local level.

Women entrepreneurs should utilize the various schemes provided by the

Government.

Entrepreneurship is not a bed of roses to women. The task of women has

become more tedious and full of challenges. Let us all make efforts to help

women rediscover her.

Govt. should provide separate financial fund for womens entrepreneur.

Govt. should felicitate top ranked womens entrepreneur.

We should invite successful women entrepreneurs from foreign countries

to give lectures to women who are taking vocational training.

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