Abstract
Purpose: The paper explores the role of entrepreneurship education and training amongst women entrepreneurs to promote the agritourism sector of the Indian economy.
Methodology: We used mixed methods to examine the linkages between traditional farming, agritourism and the role of entrepreneurial education to innovate and exploit strategic opportunities. The qualitative and quantitative data were collected using the questionnaire survey and in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The research involved a matched sample of 10 registered farmers (from the Punjab Heritage Tourism Promotion Board) and 200 unregistered male and female farmers selected randomly from the Indian State of Punjab. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and quantitative responses were analysed using descriptive statistical methods, to examine the linkages between the EET and its impact on women-owned agritourist businesses.
Findings: Access to EET has a significant impact on the management, efficiency, and use of farming land. EET has positively impacted agritourism and attracted the urbanised population to experience rural culture, supports women's enterprises and enhances their socio-economic positioning. Therefore, EET enables farmers, especially women, to sustain themselves through increased income, enhanced farming practices and develop innovative agritourism enterprises. Moreover, this study underscores the importance of EET for the growth and success of agriculture in general, and agritourist firms, amongst rural farming communities in India.
Originality/values: Whilst most farming-based studies have focused on access to finance and issues related to the agricultural sector in India, this research makes an original contribution towards female participation in the agritourism sector. The nuanced, synthetical analysis of women's agri-tourism provides a new insight into the sector and the impact of EET to empower women entrepreneurs.
Practical implications: EET has the potential to promote agritourism to supplement women's income using innovative approaches and improve the flow of quality information to enhance access to external finance. The implications are that policymakers should provide targeted EET for male and female entrepreneurs is essential to promote agritourism in India and other developing economies.
Methodology: We used mixed methods to examine the linkages between traditional farming, agritourism and the role of entrepreneurial education to innovate and exploit strategic opportunities. The qualitative and quantitative data were collected using the questionnaire survey and in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews. The research involved a matched sample of 10 registered farmers (from the Punjab Heritage Tourism Promotion Board) and 200 unregistered male and female farmers selected randomly from the Indian State of Punjab. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and quantitative responses were analysed using descriptive statistical methods, to examine the linkages between the EET and its impact on women-owned agritourist businesses.
Findings: Access to EET has a significant impact on the management, efficiency, and use of farming land. EET has positively impacted agritourism and attracted the urbanised population to experience rural culture, supports women's enterprises and enhances their socio-economic positioning. Therefore, EET enables farmers, especially women, to sustain themselves through increased income, enhanced farming practices and develop innovative agritourism enterprises. Moreover, this study underscores the importance of EET for the growth and success of agriculture in general, and agritourist firms, amongst rural farming communities in India.
Originality/values: Whilst most farming-based studies have focused on access to finance and issues related to the agricultural sector in India, this research makes an original contribution towards female participation in the agritourism sector. The nuanced, synthetical analysis of women's agri-tourism provides a new insight into the sector and the impact of EET to empower women entrepreneurs.
Practical implications: EET has the potential to promote agritourism to supplement women's income using innovative approaches and improve the flow of quality information to enhance access to external finance. The implications are that policymakers should provide targeted EET for male and female entrepreneurs is essential to promote agritourism in India and other developing economies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (VoR) - 10 Jun 2025 |
Keywords
- Agritourism, Women Entrepreneurs, Finance, Entrepreneurship and Training, India,