Entrepreneurship & Organization Management

A lack of access to financial institutions also hinders the ability for entrepreneurs in countries like India to engage in neither new business ventures, inhibiting economic growth and often, the sources and consequences of entrepreneurial activities neither financially nor environmentally sustainable. This paper deals with the concept of “sustainable micro entrepreneurship” is neither formal, nor derived, but rather a development process combining the three aspects of microfinance, entrepreneurship and sustainability. It refers to the specific practice of “Social conscious-driven entrepreneurship” perpetuated by a sustainable access to credit and without bearing undesirable externalities on people or environment. Sustainable micro entrepreneurship is a small-scale, self-sustaining active development process initiated by the poor to help themselves break free from their poverty.

Microfinance is one of the approaches used to tackle poverty. There are many debates over whether it is an effective scheme or not. An example of microfinance is seen being implemented by Grameen Bank (GB); it targets the rural areas of Bangladesh where women are the main beneficiary. Thus, the purpose of this research is to answer this question, what are the effects of GB’s microfinance initiative on women’s social capital in the rural areas of Bangladesh since its establishment in 1976? The information that will be analysed relating to the case study (women in the rural areas of Bangladesh) in this paper comes mainly from a study by Lamia Karim.

It is revealed that the GB’s scheme has not only negatively affected women’s social capital but also the community fabric has been seen to disintegrate. As a result of the program, many women have been seeking their self-interest and have become more individualistic. Indeed, due to the high rate of GB’s interest and other factors, many women (the beneficiaries) have become poorer and are suffering. This paper provides evidence that the GB microfinance scheme is not the right approach to tackle poverty. The review will show that encouraging strong social capital can be an asset for poverty reduction, thus, when implementing any poverty reduction initiative this should be considered.

Agriculture sector provides vast scope for employment generation, sustainable growth and women empowerment. Continuously growing Indian population require adequate amount of nutrition for feeding the youth population to work for countries growth. As per Indian scenario farmers are giving their best to growing crops as per the need of hour for economic gains and life improvement through livelihood promotions. Indian women have also been playing role in this sector. Empowering Indian women farmers and agripreneurs can lead to increase the income generation and self-sufficiency. There are vast opportunities in agriculture, value addition and marketing of agricultural produce. Indian women have been actively engaged in all type of agricultural practices to earn economic gains for the family. Still in agriculture sector Indian women farmers condition and status is having labourers tag with themselves. They should be compensated appropriately for their efforts encouraging them to be renowned farm owners and leading agripreneurs in the country. Women agripreneurs require handholding, technical support and skill development from government through schemes, initiatives and training programmes. Women agripreneurs are the key to achieve sustainable growth. Although, government has launched various schemes for upliftment of women agripreneurs but still there is a lot to achieve for enabling women groups from rural and tribal areas to earn economic gains from agriculture sector. This review study provides insights into the scope of agriculture entrepreneurship for upliftment of Indian women. Major roles, opportunities and challenges for Indian women to conquer in agriculture sector to achieve sustainable growth.