NE BUSINESS BUREAU
COIMBATORE, MAR 4
Onthe occasion of International Women’s Day, March 8, the Save Soil Movement, founded by yogi and mystic Sadhguru, in association with KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, will organize “Home-Based Entrepreneur 2.0” at KPR Engineering College, Arasur, in Coimbatore.
The seminar aims to celebrate Mahila Shakti by encouraging and empowering women to become agri-entrepreneurs and build sustainable, home-based income models rooted in natural farming, food innovation, and value addition. Around 2,000 women from across South India are expected to participate in the day-long event.
- International Women’s Day seminar to spotlight Mahila Shakti in agri-entrepreneurship and natural farming
- Save Soil Movement joins hands with KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology for March 8 mega event
- 2,000 women from South India expected to explore food processing, healthcare, value addition and online agri-business models
- Natural farming, tree-based agriculture and soil restoration to anchor discussions
Top women founders to decode ₹15 lakh-per-month success stories and ₹5 crore export journeys - Awards, exhibition and live demos to showcase innovation in value-added farm products
A press meet regarding the seminar was held at the Coimbatore Press Club. Swami Sreemukha, Project Coordinator of the Save Soil initiative, addressed the media along with representatives from KPR College.
Speaking at the press meet, Swami Sreemukha said: “The Save Soil Movement was launched by Sadhguru to emphasize the urgent need to restore declining soil health across the world.”
Highlighting the alarming soil crisis, he added: “Healthy soil must contain at least 3% to 6% organic content. However, in India, soil organic content is less than 0.5%. If this continues, agricultural lands face the risk of desertification. To address this crisis, Sadhguru initiated this movement to bring about policy-level changes and global legal frameworks for soil health restoration.”
Elaborating on grassroots efforts in Tamil Nadu, he said: “To create on-ground models, especially in Tamil Nadu, the movement conducts natural farming training programs to raise awareness among farmers and guide them on economically viable ways to improve soil health. Additionally, training in tree-based agriculture is provided through the Cauvery Calling initiative.”
Through the Cauvery Calling initiative, the movement promotes tree-based agriculture as a sustainable income model. In 2025 alone, 1.23 crore saplings were planted and 24,660 farmers adopted tree-based farming practices.
The impact of the movement has been significant. Over 10,000 farmers have transitioned to natural farming. While 40,081 farmers received direct training, another 1,15,500 were trained through online programs. The initiative has brought 61,000 acres under natural farming, with 54,226 farmers connected through WhatsApp advisory groups. Last year, more than 7,500 farmers received agricultural training, over 100 completed a three-month residential program at Isha’s model farms, 1,330+ shifted to natural farming, and market support was extended for produce worth ₹7.1 crores.
Women Entrepreneurs to Decode Success Blueprints
The “Home-Based Entrepreneur 2.0” seminar will feature accomplished women entrepreneurs sharing real-world strategies on scaling home ventures into profitable enterprises.
Vasanthan Selvam, CEO of the Periyakulam Entrepreneurship Development and Innovation Institute, will guide participants on government funding schemes, loans and subsidies available for new entrepreneurs.
Rajathi Kannan, Founder of Raji’s Kitchen, will share how she generates ₹15 lakhs monthly through innovative spice products. Karunya Gunavathi, Founder of Kotravai, will speak on coconut shell handicrafts and her social entrepreneurship model empowering rural women.
Shyamala Gunasekaran of Bhairavi Organics will demonstrate profit generation through advanced five-layer cropping methods, while Aarthi Selvakumar of Aruvitha Organics will reveal effective online marketing strategies for agricultural products.
Latha of Chill & Hill Ice Cream will offer insights into creating healthy ice cream formulations, and Chamundeswari of Samu Microgreens will explore business opportunities in microgreens cultivation.
Sujatha and Dr. Kumaran, founders of Miracle Life Tree Science, will present how they scaled moringa exports to generate ₹5 crores in revenue. Dr. Ramya Gnanasambandam, drawing from her professional experience in London, will deliver a talk titled:
“Poison-Free Food is the Best Medicine”
emphasizing chemical-free nutrition and holistic health.
Awards, Exhibition & Agri Innovation Showcase
The event will honour six outstanding women entrepreneurs from Tamil Nadu who excel in value-added product manufacturing, reinforcing the spirit of Mahila Shakti in agribusiness and sustainable entrepreneurship.
An exhibition and sales showcase will feature value-added agricultural products, modern packaging machinery, innovative agri-tools and business solutions, offering participants hands-on exposure to scalable enterprise models.
Participation requires prior registration. Interested participants can register at:
https://forms.gle/
Key Central Government Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs
1. Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY)
- Collateral-free loans up to ₹10 lakh under Shishu, Kishor and Tarun categories
- Special focus on women-led micro and small enterprises
- Interest subvention benefits in select categories
2. Stand Up India Scheme
- Bank loans between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore
- For women and SC/ST entrepreneurs
- Supports greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services or trading
3. Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)
- Credit-linked subsidy scheme
- Subsidy up to 35% for women beneficiaries
- Ideal for village industries, food processing, agri-based businesses
4. Startup India
- DPIIT recognition, tax exemptions, easier compliance
- Funding support through Fund of Funds
- Special encouragement for women-led startups
5. Annapurna Scheme
- Loans up to ₹50,000 for women starting food catering businesses
- Repayment tenure up to 3 years
6. Mahila E-Haat
- Online marketing platform by Ministry of Women & Child Development
- Enables women to sell products directly to buyers
7. Udyam Registration
- Free online MSME registration
- Access to priority sector lending, subsidies and government tenders
Tamil Nadu Government Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs
1. Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW)
- Implements Mahalir Thittam through Self Help Groups (SHGs)
- Bank linkage, revolving funds and enterprise promotion
2. Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation (TANSIDCO)
- Industrial plots and sheds with priority allotment for women
- Infrastructure support for MSMEs
3. Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC)
- Term loans and working capital support
- Concessional interest rates for women-led enterprises
4. New Entrepreneur cum Enterprise Development Scheme (NEEDS)
- Capital subsidy up to 25% (subject to limits)
- Entrepreneurship Development Training (EDP) mandatory
- Tailored support for first-generation entrepreneurs, including women
5. Unemployed Youth Employment Generation Programme (UYEGP)
- Subsidy-based financial assistance
- Encourages micro-enterprises in manufacturing and services
- Preference for women applicants
6. TAHDCO
- Special financial schemes for women entrepreneurs from SC communities
- Margin money assistance and subsidies
Why These Schemes Matter
For aspiring home-based entrepreneurs in food processing, natural farming, value addition, microgreens, handicrafts and agri-business, these Central and Tamil Nadu Government schemes offer:
- Collateral-free loans
- Capital subsidies
- Interest concessions
- Marketing support
- Skill training and EDP programs
- Infrastructure and industrial space access
Together, they form a powerful policy ecosystem to strengthen Mahila Shakti in agri-entrepreneurship, MSMEs and rural business innovation.
Caption 1:
Caption 2:
From microgreens to moringa exports — women founders to decode high-growth home business models at “Home-Based Entrepreneur 2.0”.
Caption 3:
Natural farming, tree-based agriculture and value addition take centre stage as Save Soil Movement celebrates International Women’s Day with purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
