Punjab's ‘Business Biba'z' Project Turns Rural Women into Agri-preneurs
Beyond farming techniques like compost and spawn preparation, the curriculum covers processing, packaging, and market-linked value addition.
Punjab’s ‘Business Biba’z’ Project Turns Rural Women into Agri-preneurs
Through the "Business Biba’z" project rural women in Punjab are emerging as a driving force in the state’s agribusiness sector. The project is led by the Punjab Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (PAMETI). The initiative aims to transition women from traditional farm labourers to independent "agri-preneurs".
A recent three-day training programme at the Ludhiana campus focused on mushroom cultivation as a high-profit gateway to self-employment.
The project was launched in October 2025. It provides hands-on training in cultivating varieties such as button, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms.
Beyond farming techniques like compost and spawn preparation, the curriculum covers processing, packaging, and market-linked value addition.
Dr Kanwar Barjinder Singh, Director of PAMETI, said that the programme is designed to empower women economically, noting that such independence "uplifts entire communities".
Mushroom bags and spawn were provided to participants to start home-based cultivation for immediate impact. The initiative also extends to producing herbal teas, pickles, and organic goods, blending traditional knowledge with modern business management.
Union leaders and participants highlighted that the training has provided the confidence and financial literacy needed to access government schemes and banking support, ultimately creating sustainable livelihoods across rural Punjab.
Source: The Tribune