AI Generated Summary
- Punjab is gearing up for a significant leap in women’s empowerment in the agricultural sector with the launch of “Business Bibas”, a pioneering initiative designed to turn women farmers into successful agripreneurs.
- As the first cohort of participants steps into this programme, Business Bibas is poised to become more than just a government scheme—it is a movement towards transforming farm women into independent, innovative, and inspiring leaders of tomorrow.
- The initiative, conceptualized by Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary of the Food Processing Department, seeks to transform the traditional role of women in agriculture—from cultivators to decision-makers and business owners.
Punjab is gearing up for a significant leap in women’s empowerment in the agricultural sector with the launch of “Business Bibas”, a pioneering initiative designed to turn women farmers into successful agripreneurs. The state’s Department of Food Processing will roll out the programme at Punjab Agricultural University, aiming to equip women with the skills, confidence, and financial know-how to manage profitable agri-based enterprises.
The initiative, conceptualized by Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Principal Secretary of the Food Processing Department, seeks to transform the traditional role of women in agriculture—from cultivators to decision-makers and business owners.
“Across India’s villages, women have long been the unseen backbone of farming—guardians of food security, seed preservation, and household stability,” said Bhandari. “Through Business Bibas, we want to help them evolve into entrepreneurs who can innovate, plan, and lead sustainable ventures that generate local employment and value.”
Empowering Women Through Skill and Strategy
Initially, the programme will target women’s self-help groups (SHGs) already engaged in agro-food processing. Around 30 groups have been invited to the launch event, where they will be assessed for their readiness to expand into full-fledged agribusinesses.
According to Dr. K. B. Singh, Director of the Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute, participants will undergo comprehensive training that includes business opportunity identification, resource planning, market analysis, and enterprise management.
“They will also receive guidance on digital marketing, e-commerce, and price trend analysis—skills that are vital for thriving in today’s competitive markets,” Dr. Singh explained.
Bridging Gaps Through Finance and Mentorship
Once the selected “Business Bibas” finalize their business models and funding requirements, the government will facilitate access to a range of financial schemes. These include PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME), Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP), NABARD, and loans through Kisan Credit Card and MUDRA schemes.
The state’s vision is clear: to ensure that women in agriculture not only sustain themselves but also become engines of rural economic growth.
A Step Toward Inclusive Growth
With Punjab’s deep agricultural roots and a growing focus on food processing, Business Bibas represents a timely intervention. By aligning traditional knowledge with modern business acumen, the initiative hopes to nurture a new generation of women-led enterprises that can redefine the state’s rural economy.
As the first cohort of participants steps into this programme, Business Bibas is poised to become more than just a government scheme—it is a movement towards transforming farm women into independent, innovative, and inspiring leaders of tomorrow.
