Livelihood security assessment of women agripreneurs of self help groups (SHGs) in Kerala
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Agricultural Extension, College of Agriculture, Vellayani
Abstract
The objective of the study was to assess the livelihood security of women
agripreneurs of SHGs in Kerala in terms of food, occupational, habitat, educational,
social, health and environmental security and was carried out in three districts
namely, Thiruvananthapuram, Palakkad, and Malappuram. Eighteen viable women
SHGs involved in agripreneurship were selected from the three districts and from
each of the selected SHGs, five women were randomly selected forming a sample
size of 90. The perception of 30 extension officials regarding the livelihood security
of members of women SHGs was also studied. The total sample size was 120.
A structured interview schedule was carried out for data collection.
Livelihood security was assessed using a Livelihood Security Index (LSI)
developed by Baby (2005). Statistical tools like Principal Component Analysis,
ANOVA, mean, standard deviation, quartile deviation, frequency, percentage and
correlation were used for analysis.
The study revealed that, majority of the respondents were in medium
category of LSI in three districts i.e. 60.00% in Thiruvananthapuram, 56.67% in
Malappuram and 40.00% in Palakkad and there was no significant difference
between the LSI of the three districts.
Majority of respondents belonged to medium category of food security in
Thiruvananthapuram (70.00%), Palakkad (80.00%) and Malappuram (70.00%). It
was also found that, 96.67% and 42.22% of the respondents could avail and access
balanced food respectively. Regarding occupational security, majority belonged to
medium category in Thiruvananthapuram (70.00%), Palakkad (43.33%) and
Malappuram (66.67%). Ninety one per cent of the respondents were having an
occupation according to their qualification and 93.33% were having regular
employment. In habitat security, majority of the respondents were in high category
in Thiruvananthapuram (76.67%), Palakkad (70.00%) and Malappuram (76.67%).
It was found that all the respondents had toilet facilities and electric supply whereas
only 81.11% had own house.
For educational security, majority of the respondents were in low category
in Thiruvananthapuram (56.67%), Palakkad (76.67%) and Malappuram (70.00%).
Majority of the respondents belonged to high category of social security i.e. 46.67%
in Palakkad and Malappuram and 50.00% in Thiruvananthapuram. As far health
security is concerned, it was found that, 42.22%, 26.67% and 7.78% had incidence
of chronic diseases, specific diseases and epidemic diseases respectively in their
family and 67.78% had high access to health services. Majority of the respondents
were in medium category of environmental security in Thiruvananthapuram
(46.67%), Palakkad (46.67%) and Malappuram (80.00%). Ninety percent, 94.44%,
67.78%, and 44.44% of respondents reported that they have negligible pollution,
adequate drinking water, adequate irrigation water and negligible ground water
shortage respectively.
LSI showed a positive correlation with the personal and socio-
psychological characters like annual income, saving propensity, interdependence
and networking, credit orientation, level of aspiration, achievement motivation,
management orientation, personal initiative and responsibility, adherence to group
norms, group leadership and group achievement.
Perception of officials regarding livelihood security of members of women
SHGs was measured using perception index. Perception index of majority of the
respondents belonged to medium category and there was no significant difference
between the three districts.
It can be concluded that the LSI of respondents measured in terms of seven
components belonged to the medium category in all the three districts. There was
no significant difference between the perception of officials regarding livelihood
security of members of women SHGs in the three districts. The major suggestions
proposed for improving the livelihood security of members of women SHGs were
to conduct capacity building programmes for the women to enhance
entrepreneurship behaviour and to impart specific skill improvement programmes.
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