Micro-entrepreneurship development through food processing technologies in Kashmir valley

Abstract

Horticultural crops play an important role in generating employment, improving economic conditions of the farmers and entrepreneurs and above all providing nutritional security to the people. The food processing industry provides vital linkages and synergies between industry and agriculture. Entrepreneurship among women is a recent phenomenon and a large percentage of micro entrepreneurship in developing countries is undertaken by women. The study focusses at capacity building of micro-entrepreneurs mainly through Micro-Enterprise creation and development in food processing technologies of perishable food products. Training program also included marketing, account keeping, production management, growth programme, etc. which is essential to help them grow their agri-business. The study revealed that women participants have acquired the necessary skills to start up small and medium enterprise. They were selling their produce at primary, secondary and tertiary processing after harvest. Thus making it fit for final marketing and consumption with maximum acceptability and convenience resulting there is increase in income, self-confidence, social recognition and participation in decision making for better quality of life.