Kush MotwaniAIR 11 · CSE 2023 · 361 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a figure
According to latest data, there are around ~70 lakh SHGs in the country, with membership of ~8 cr + women, working towards empowerment and financial inclusion, savings, social support system and soft credit to women.
Economic surveys have noted the success of SHGs in financial inclusion, and said that the next logical step is for SHGs to expand in other domains.
(I) Skill development:
Body · points and prose
Provide training not just to the women, but entire village communities, via medium of SHGs.
Synergy between NRLM and Kaushal Vikas Yojana (Skill India Mission).
(Eg): Skilling in handicrafts, marketing, branding, textiles, designing, etc.
(ie) creating SHGs as a COMMON SERVICES RESOURCE POOL.
(Eg): There may be multiple micro-enterprises in a village (local handicraft, local food processing, etc) ↓ SHGs can provide COMMON marketing and branding for all ↓ The MSMEs can focus on their work.
(II) Entrepreneurship:
- SHGs → savings → access to credit → access to support → economic activity.
(Eg) Kudumbashree SHG collective in Kerala. ↓ selling products across the country via ONDC.
Similarly, in food processing Lijjat Papad is an inspiration to all.
In western India, the Udyam Stree initiative and in Andhra the Dwarka initiative is involved in incubation of SHG entrepreneurs.
(III) income generation:
- Value addition to local produce via technological advancement
(Eg) Bivalve farming by SHGs of kasargod and kera kollam in Kerala.
- Sustainable development
→ Zero Effect Zero Defect
→ products:
→ "Inculcate measures of incredible India"
- Higher incomes from agri-allied activities
(Eg) milk solids from milk
(Eg) products of small ruminants
(Eg) Emu bird rearing → high value product.
challenges faced:
- FAKE NEWS → that NPA among SHGs is high / SHGs don't return loans.
TRUTH → SHG NPA = 1.8%.
→ Less than agri NPA, MSME NPA, and corporate NPA.
↓
However, the fake news is limiting SHG access to credit by damaging SHG reputation.
lack of access to raw materials.
Poor bargaining power due to low scale.
lack of self-confidence: "internalized patriarchy".
Going forward: SHGs should play greater role not only in income generation; but also in overall rural dev and governance.
Close · a way forward
None written.