International Women’s Day – 2026 (Women Empowerment through Agri-Entrepreneurship)

Women Empowerment through Agri-Entrepreneurship

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, the STEP (Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Park) invites aspiring and emerging women entrepreneurs to a focused symposium on Women Empowerment through Agri-Entrepreneurship, with a special emphasis on mushroom cultivation as a sustainable business opportunity. This one-day offline workshop is designed to empower women with practical knowledge, hands-on exposure, and business insights to transform agricultural innovation into income-generating ventures.

🌱 Why Mushroom Cultivation?

• Mushroom farming is a low-investment, high-potential agri-enterprise that:
• Utilizes agricultural waste such as sugarcane residue
• Requires minimal land
• Offers quick crop cycles and high market demand
• Enables value addition and scalable business models

This workshop will demonstrate how science-driven approaches can create viable rural enterprises while contributing to sustainability and circular economy practices.

🔬 Event Highlights

Introduction to Mushroom Cultivation – Types, market scope, and commercial potential
Substrate Preparation using Sugarcane Residue – Sustainable raw material utilization and cost-effective models
Live Demonstration – Step-by-step bed preparation techniques
Post-Harvest Processing & Value Addition – Packaging, storage, and revenue enhancement strategies
Business Model Insights – Turning small-scale cultivation into profitable agri-ventures
Participants will gain both technical know-how and entrepreneurial direction, making it suitable for beginners as well as early-stage agri-entrepreneurs.

👩‍🌾 Who Can Participate?

Women Farmers
SHG Members
Unemployed Rural Women
Women Agri-Graduates
Rural Women Entrepreneurs