Women-led Nursery Enterprise Model

Agriculture has long played a pivotal role in shaping livelihoods across South Asia. In Bangladesh, the innovative Women-led Nursery Enterprise Model was about more than planting seeds—it was about creating opportunities for women to lead.

Through the Feed the Future Insect-Resistant Eggplant Partnership (IREP), the initiative partnered directly with women entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools, training, and infrastructure needed to build thriving agricultural businesses. By strengthening technical and marketing capacity, the model empowered women, increased household incomes, and contributed to greater resilience in vulnerable communities. It also expanded access to Bt eggplant, helping farmers benefit from improved crop productivity and reduced pesticide use.

Seeds of Growth

The Women-led Nursery Enterprise Model was a unique approach to women’s empowerment. A feasibility study conducted in 2022 demonstrated the viability of plant nurseries as a method to enhance women’s involvement in the agricultural value chain and promote economic empowerment. The findings indicated that plant nurseries provided women with strong income-earning potential and diversified economic opportunities.

In addition to providing financial support for constructing bamboo-framed nurseries within local communities, IREP project specialists delivered training in crop loss mitigation, marketing strategies, and efficient nursery management. The women entrepreneurs immersed themselves in the intricacies of business, mastered the production of high-quality saplings, and explored diverse market avenues. As the program progressed, the business owners reinvested their income into their nurseries, establishing a niche within their local markets.