EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN SELF HELP GROUPS THROUGH POST HARVEST ACTIVITIES
Loading...
Date
2004
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES GKVK, BANGALORE
Abstract
"The study was undertaken with the objectives to know the
empowerment of women, their socio-economic status, knowledge,
adoption and management of entrepreneurial activities along with the felt
needs for their future. SHGs that involved in post harvest activities were
selected by multistage stratified random sampling method in four taluks
of Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Uttar Kannada districts of Karnataka,
comprising 159 female members selected from 30 SHGs. The data was
collected by personal interview technique with structured schedule.
The post harvest activities undertaken by the SHG members were
roti making, vermicelli, papad and sandagi making, rava and flour milling,
cleaning, grading and packaging activity, preparation of chutney and
masala powders, sweets, snacks, milk products, pickles and vegetable
selling. 57.73% of the income was contributed through the
entrepreneurial activities. Most of the SHGs had undertaken preparation
of snacks as a group activity and chutney and masala powder as an
individual activity. Majority of the respondents had higher level of
awareness in traditional method, hence adopted for the preparation of
roties and snacks, vermicelli, papad and sandagi. The reasons for
adoption of traditional methods was mainly due to the known processing
methods, affordability, acceptability of the product quality and also lower
investment. The purchasing of raw materials from the wholesalers was
found to be higher. On an average of 1251 number of roties and 117.5 kgs
of snacks were produced per week. Almost all the products were sold to
the wholesalers and also through other marketing channels. The women
SHGs earned highest income of Rs.l909 from the preparation of
vermicelli, papad and sandigae.
The initial investment on the entrepreneurial activities was Rs.
1691.62 by each respondent. The expenditure on raw material was 60 %
and for labour payments was 23%. Majority of the respondents (48%)
monthly income ranged from Rs. 1000-5000. Further, the SHG women
earned profit of Rs. 100-500 (42.80%) and also Rs.500-1000 (34.00%). The
cost benefit ratio was 1.03. Thus, impact of SHGs on the status of the
women was relatively more pronounced in the economic sphere. Similarly
the development of self confidence, courage, enhancement of knowledge
also moulded their overall personality development. The major constraints
faced by the SHG women were lack of training and child care facilities,
non-availability of raw materials at cheaper rate, lack of marketing facility
and the income gained was less. The felt needs put forth by the SHG
members were that of good price for their products, provision of raw
materials at cheaper rate, better marketing facilities and skill oriented
training which may enhance the process of empowerment and the
progress of the society as a whole."
Description
Keywords
Citation
No. of references 88