Women in Agri-Startups: Transforming crop waste into business opportunities

Abstract

The increasing global emphasis on sustainability has driven agri-startups to explore innovative approaches for transforming agricultural by-products into valuable commodities. Value addition to crop biomass and farm waste presents an opportunity to enhance sustainability, reduce environmental impact, and generate new income streams. This study evaluates the perspectives of farm women in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya regarding waste utilization, their willingness to adopt sustainable practices, and their entrepreneurial interest in value-added products. Survey data revealed that 70.25% of respondents expressed a strong interest in using eco-friendly materials like plant fiber pots, compost, and biodegradable paper. Additionally, 54.88% identified value addition to farm waste as beneficial for income generation. Findings highlight the potential for Agri-entrepreneurship in waste valorisation and underscore the need for collaboration among stakeholders to maximize economic and environmental benefits.