Entrepreneurship Development through Agripreneurship in India

Abstract

This paper explores fundamental issues that deserve attention from scholars interested in Agripreneurship. First, several theoretical issues and frameworks useful to further development of Agripreneurship are explored. Second, the important role of cluster theory is highlighted. Third, learning theory and Knowledge Management is shown to be core issues for Agripreneurship. The terms, entrepreneurship and agripreneurship are frequently used in the context of education and small business formation. Particular countries have preference for the use of the terms in specific circumstances. The purpose of this paper is to clearly set out promotion of agri export through entrepreneurship development and understanding of the issues where the terms are commonly used. It involves an analysis of the literature to identify similarities and distinctions particularly in areas of entrepreneurship and business start-ups. The findings indicate that through these concepts the country has developed agribusiness in a value added manner for export purposes and even now farmer are becoming real agripreneurs. With a view to promoting agricultural exports from the country and remunerative returns to the agripreneur community in a sustained manner, the concept of the agri export zones (AEZ) was floated in sixty places in India for various agricultural produce. These zones have been set up for end to end development for export of specific products from a geographically contiguous area supported by agripreneur. Agri Export Zones (AEZs): AEZ are identified by the State Government, who would evolve a comprehensive package of services provided by all State Government agencies, State agriculture universities and all institutions and agencies of the Union Government for intensive delivery in these zones to develop agripreneurship. Private sector with proven credentials would be encouraged through entrepreneurship development to sponsor new agri export zone or take over already notified agri export zone or part of such zones for boosting agri exports from the zones. Services which would be managed and co-coordinated by State Government/Private sector and would include provision of pre/post harvest treatment and operations, plant protection, processing, packaging, storage and related research & development etc. Nodal agency will supplement, within its schemes and provisions, efforts of State Governments for facilitating such exports. The concept of the Agri Export Zone attempts to take a comprehensive look at a particular produce/products located in a contiguous area for the purpose of developing and sourcing the raw materials, their processing and packaging, finally exporting them. It is a part of agripreneurship development Thus, the entire effort is centered on a cluster approach of identifying the potential products, the geographical region in which these are grown and adopting an end to end approach of integrating the entire process, right from the stage of production till it reaches the market. The government helps agripreneur in sourcing for raw materials, the setting up of processing facilities, providing finance at low interest rates and even matching with international buyers. The export zones mooted by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) to increase international trade in agri-commodities are an attempt to take a holistic approach to encouraging trade in specific commodities located in contiguous areas.