Entrepreneurship development for sustainable agriculture in Punjab-A case of apiculture

It was found that majority of rural people are unaware of technological developments and they face many socio-economic barriers in shifting to a new occupation. Shortage of finance appeared to be one of the main problems faced by honey bee keepers in the district. Most of the rural entrepreneurs faced peculiar problems like illiteracy, fear of risk, lack of experience, and competition from existing large units. Need is there to redesign the working of the financial institutions at the village level. The rural youth need to be motivated to take up entrepreneurship as a career, with training and sustaining support systems providing all necessary assistance. On-going developmental schemes can be re-oriented so that a new stream of entrepreneurs are identified and nurtured in the villages.