Barriers faced by the agri- entrepreneurs of Kottayam district during COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study conducted during the year 2020 was to identify the barriers faced by the agri-entrepreneurs of Kottayam district in the state of Kerala during the COVID-19 pandemic. Agrientrepreneurs who were running enterprises in various agri-allied sectors such as value addition, fisheries, animal husbandry, and other enterprises such as mushroom, floriculture, and apiculture in the district were selected as sample. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to determine the significance and impact of barriers on entrepreneurial activity. The results revealed a reversal of barriers normally faced by the entrepreneur. Barriers that were psychological in nature like gender role conflict and uncertainty had come to the fore replacing more enterprise-related like labour, finance and raw materials and social barriers like family and background.