Entrepreneurship Among Women in The Dairy Farming: Challenges, Opportunities and Economic Viability.

Abstract

The study highlights that women’s entrepreneurship in the dairy farming serves as a vital instrument for rural livelihood security, income stabilization, and socio-economic empowerment. The findings reveal that women dairy entrepreneurs predominantly operate small-scale, low-capital enterprises embedded within household economies, making dairy farming a viable and resilient livelihood option rather than a high-investment commercial venture. Despite facing persistent challenges such as limited access to credit, market volatility, time constraints due to domestic responsibilities, and gaps in technical training, a majority of respondents reported improved household income, enhanced decision-making power, and positive impacts on children’s education. Institutional support through government schemes, veterinary services, cooperatives, and self-help groups has contributed positively, though its reach and effectiveness remain uneven. Overall, the study underscores that women-led dairy entrepreneurship holds significant potential for inclusive rural development and gender empowerment; however, its long-term economic viability and scalability depend on strengthened financial inclusion, capacity building, institutional linkages, and gender-responsive policy interventions. By addressing these structural constraints, dairy entrepreneurship can evolve into a more sustainable and transformative pathway for rural women, contributing meaningfully to economic resilience and equitable growth