International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
E Priyavadhana and T Balakrishnan

abstract
Value-added products play a critical role in empowering women in rural economies (FAO, 2021). In India, women-owned 39% of MSMEs, which focus on value-added sectors like food processing, textiles, and handicrafts (Ministry of MSME, 2024). This study was undertaken to assess the level of empowerment among women in Valanadu sustainable agriculture producer company private limited in Mayiladuthurai district who involved in value addition activities. Totally, 100 women were selected using purposive multistage random sampling to assess key socio-economic and institutional variables such as education, income, training, access to credit, marketing skills, family support, and membership in self-help groups and cooperatives and so on as predictor variables. A well-structured interview schedule is circulated and data were gathered through kobotoolbox app to assess the empowerment level through categorical scoring and major constraints encountered by them via qualitative thematic analysis. The sampling was carried out systematically and data were processed and assessed statistically. The findings are expected to reveal critical factors influencing women's empowerment and provide practical recommendations to enhance their participation and contribution to sustainable rural development.