Introduction Ss

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Introduction

Existing sex ratio in demographic structure of Sri Lanka indicates that women comprise

almost 50% of the total population1. They are essential part of nation¶s human resources. Due

to this demographic structure, the issue of the participation of women in the mainstreameconomy is imperative. Without a meaningful and active participation of women, half of the

total population, in regular economic activities, a dynamic and sustainable economy is

impossible. A sustainable economy is a precondition for national growth and prosperity

including institutionalization of a democratic system. Due to these reason women

entrepreneurs plays major role in society.

Women are one particularly understudied group of entrepreneurs. We know very little about

female entrepreneurs, and our ignorance of this important demographic is a serious blind spot

in any effort to increase the total number of entrepreneurs participating in our economy.

Women entrepreneurs make excellent leaders. They¶re passionate and driven, inspiring otherswith their enthusiasm, intelligence, and determination. With the help of the tremendous

resources and information provided by Ladies Who Launch, women are prospering in

business more than ever before. Qualities women have always possessed such as

communication skills, self-awareness, and big-picture thinking are now giving women an

edge, bringing them entrepreneurial success beyond their wildest dreams. It is important to

study constrains faced by women entrepreneurs in community.



Yogashwari Rajarathnam-Badulla

Name- Mrs. Yogashwari Rajarathnam

Age-57 years

Marital status-Single

Business/ Product- Ornamental Flower Plant

Shop

Place-No 18, Lower King¶s Street, Badulla

Family Information-2 Brothers & 1 Sister

History & Current Situation-

Yogashwari started the business before 25

years in Badulla. Her father was founder of

this business & after his death Yogashwari was determined enough to continue fathers

business which was well established. She started the business as hobby & as a source of

income. Yogashwari father was member of Peradeniya Botanical Garden Flower Growers

Society; this helped to build good foundation for the business. Yogashwari got many

experiences from her father & learned the techniques skills needed to run plant nursery.

Yogashwari mainly cultivating & selling plants which suites to Badulla climate, Anthuriams,

Boganvillas and Roses etc.

Flower nursery includes Flower beds, Propagation area, Net house & Irrigation

facilities.Mrs. Yogashwari¶s plant nursery contains about 50 different plant species; thisincludes landscaping plants & decorative foliage plants other than ornamental flower plants.

She work with many flower growers from all around Sri Lanka to build up good relation ship

to share the knowledge regarding floriculture.

Plants Grown in Net house



Questionnaire

1) What is the size of your enterprise?

y Small enterprise

2) What is the sector of activities?

y Ornamental Flower Plants

3) At what age did you start your own business?

y 25-30 year old

4) What is your educational background?

y Secondary

5) Do you have a family (husband and /or children)?

Husband: Yes No

Children: Yes No

6) Do you have help at home (e.g. maid, parents, e.t.c.)?

Yes No

7) Have you always worked for yourself?

Yes No

8) If no, how many employers did you have before starting your own business?

y No employers

9) Is your present business the first enterprise that you own?

Yes No

10) If no, what happened to the enterprise you have owned previously?

y Are still successful

11) Have you created your present enterprise yourself, or is it a family business you have

"inherited", or a business you have bought?

y I have inherited the business from my father



12) When you started your business, what were the main obstacles you faced?

y Financial questions

y Lack of information / advice

y Finding the right contacts for business venture

13) State briefly how you have overcome any obstacles:

I got help from my friends & flower growers when findings contacts & buyers.

14) What made you start your own business?

y Profit / making money

y I want to work for others

y I want freedom to make my own decisions

y Self - achievement

15) What are the main obstacles you are facing now in the running of your business?

y No time for training / upgrading skills

y Lack of space

16) How many hours per day do you dedicate to your business?

y 6-8 hours

Net house



Major constrains faced by Yogashwari Rajarathnam

y Financial questions -Some amount of income is invested for running the business

profit margin is low. No any other financial source.

y Lack of information / advice

y Finding the right contacts for business venture

y Lack of labor availability -Watering, fertilizer application & Weeding like

management practices done by Yogashwari by her self

y Lack of space availability- For extends the plant nursery less availability of land is the

major problem.

y Some plant species have low market demand.

Attitudes of Yogashwari Rajarathnam

y Yogashwari satisfied with the income getting from her small business venture.

y She thinks her hobby the grading has become her income source with the time.

y Yogashwari have an idea to build a greenhouse, she thinks that to develop the business adapting to new technology is important.

Finding Buyers & Suppliers

y Usually buyers come to plant nursery to buy plants.

y Yogashwari also participate in flower exhibitions held in Bandarawela,

Viharamahadevi Park Colombo.

y Suppliers from Polonnaruwa supplies seedlings & planting materials.

Marketing of Products

y Special marketing strategies are not practiced.

y Plant nursery doesn¶t have name or any other trade mark or logo.

y Customers buy products due to reputation, quality of the products & well known

among customers in Badulla area.

Social Responsibilities

y Issue plants & planting materials for schools & at low price

y Plants which are not grown by her supplied through other growers.

y Purchase Compost & Pots from small scale producers as help.

y Assists other small scale growers.



Entrepreneurial Characters of Yogashwari Rajarathnam

y Production is done according to marketing demand.

y Use marketing information effectively.

y Cultivating new demanding plant varieties.

y Participating in local floral exhibitions.

Reference

Questionnaire Model- Women in Business and in Decision-Making



Constrains faced by Women Entrepreneurs

EAG 326-2 Agricultural Entrepreneurship

T.K.B.Bodhikotuwa

UWU/EAG/08/0004

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Introduction Ss