AbstractThis paper presents The Business BIBAZ’ Model, a structured, multi-agency initiative designed to transform farm women in Punjab from primary producers into self-reliant agri-entrepreneurs. The scope of the work includes analysing the existing contribution of rural women in agriculture, identifying systemic gaps in skill, finance, and market access, and proposing a convergent model that integrates value addition, digital literacy, institutional linkage, and entrepreneurship development. The present study uses descriptive-exploratory research design with strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (SWOT) analysis of women-led enterprises and documentation of best practices and field evidence from SHGs and FPOs. The paper also maps capacity-building domains and marketing innovations required for scaling women-led agri-businesses. The principal findings indicate that women possess strong traditional skills and entrepreneurial potential but are constrained by limited mobility, credit access, and business exposure. Convergence of government schemes, targeted skill training, digital marketing, and supportive social attitudes can significantly enhance their participation in the food-processing value chain. The Business BIBAZ’ model was found to create a holistic ecosystem that strengthens confidence, improves income opportunities, and enables rural women to build sustainable, market-driven enterprises rooted in local resources and community development.
Bhandari et al. (Wed,) studied this question.