Tropentag, September 10 - 12, 2025, Bonn "Reconciling land system changes with planetary health"

Sustainability of group management in rural women’s entrepreneurship

¹Tokyo University of Agriculture, Graduate Department of International Agribusiness Management, Japan
²Tokyo University of Agriculture, Faculty of International Food and Agricultural Studies

Abstract

The expectations for women to participate in agricultural management continue to rise. Entrepreneurial activities led by rural women’s groups are gaining attention for their utilisation of local resources, which significantly contribute to economic independence and regional revitalisation. In Japan, such initiatives have been supported by policy since 1992, primarily in the form of group-based enterprises. However, many of these groups have been steadily declining due to aging membership, the downsizing of the parent organisations, and the instability of small-scale operations. Growing generational differences in motivation and outlook further highlight the need for more diverse and tailored support. Therefore, this study examines the key challenges faced by rural women’s groups engaged in agricultural processing, with the aim of identifying strategies to enhance management sustainability. A multiple case study was employed, purposively selecting three women-led agricultural enterprises, each representing a distinct stage of the business lifecycle across introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. This approach enabled a comparative analysis of common and stage-specific challenges and success factors, while capturing diverse regional and organisational contexts. Based on the findings, the study proposes stage-specific support strategies: capacity building for the introduction stage; quality and market expansion support for the growth stage; stabilisation efforts in the maturity stage; and succession planning or revitalisation efforts for the decline stage. These strategies encourage intergenerational participation and strengthen the long-term viability of the rural women’s groups. Furthermore, the study contributes to supporting rural women’s group activities and the development of sustainable business models utilising local resources, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Keywords: Business lifecycle, Group management, rural women’s entrepreneurship

Contact Address: Fuyu Fujiwara, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Graduate Department of International Agribusiness Management, 1-Chōme-1-1 Sakuragaoka, 156-8502 Setagaya City, Japan, e-mail: 13724006nodai.ac.jp