Entrepreneurial constraints faced by rural women in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar

Constraints of rural women entrepreneurs

Abstract

Women entrepreneurship serves as the cornerstone of economic growth, particularly in developing nations, where it plays a pivotal role in fostering rural community development. In India, economic liberalization and globalization have significantly influenced the landscape of women entrepreneurship, providing rural women with opportunities to overcome poverty and engage in economic activities. This study aims to identify the entrepreneurial constraints faced by rural women in the Muzaffarpur district of Bihar. The research was conducted purposively in this district due to the diverse range of entrepreneurial activities undertaken by rural women. Two blocks, Saraiya and Marwan, were randomly selected, from which five villages per block were further chosen. A total of 120 rural women entrepreneurs were randomly selected, comprising 12 respondents from each village. The constraints encountered by these women were categorized into four groups: financial constraints, marketing constraints, production and labour constraints, and personal constraints. The findings indicate that marketing constraints emerged as the most significant challenge faced by rural women entrepreneurs. Addressing these challenges can empower rural women entrepreneurs, enabling them to contribute more effectively to economic development and social progress.