Impact of COVID 19 on Women Agripreneurs: A Study on Unveiling the Constraints

Abstract

COVID 19 is a humanitarian crisis that has created both a supply and demand shock to the global economic system. As most women’s businesses are younger and smaller, it has also disproportionately created a strong impact on women businesses. While other businesses were seizing new opportunities and reducing risks, this situation is especially difficult for women entrepreneurs, whose businesses are concentrated in the agriculture sector most severely affected by the economic shutdown. The present article tries to address the constraints faced by women agripreneurs during the COVID 19 pandemic. The study was carried out using a structured interview schedule with a total of 140 women agripreneurs in the Western and North Western zones of Tamil Nadu. The findings revealed that the COVID 19 pandemic has had a devastating influence on women-owned businesses, and that women volunteered for the loss of hours spent at work by working at home and also caring for family members. This article not only tries to provide policy recommendations indicating women entrepreneurship but also address larger questions on reducing gendered issues across social groups and building a sustained market participation for women.