In a subsistence economy, the enterprise function is very limited and revolves around subsistence farming. The results and impacts have been mixed. New activities and enterprises, such as vegetable farming, horticulture, sericulture, and processing of farm and forest produce, have increased household incomes, but women's workloads have often increased. There is no relief from the burden of household activities such as collecting fuelwood, fodder, and water. The positive aspect of these developments for women is a more purposeful and productive outcome of their participation in new enterprises and increased incomes.
Women participate significantly, as both workers and entrepreneurs, in enterprises.
In a location studied in the hills of North India, where a transformation from subsistence agriculture to commercial vegetable farming had taken place, women not only participated in the on-farm activities that were their responsibilities in subsistence farming, but also were engaged in transporting produce to market and marketing it. In the Northern Areas of Pakistan, women have acquired entrepreneurial skills in producing and marketing vegetables and fruit. An NGO engaged in rural development activities in the region helped them establish their own organizations. In Western Sichuan, China, women farmers participate actively and in large numbers in collecting and processing non-timber forest products such as medicinal plants and herbs. Many of them also work as employees and executives in processing plants.