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The paper examines the extent of saving by women's SHGs, the activities they perform and the distribution of additional income for livelihood activities. Poor women in rural areas lack the capital to start a business or an economic activity, and the SHGs of Hoshangabad block provide their members credit. The intervention of SHGs enhanced dairy entrepreneurs’ income by Rs 3, 500. Most of this additional income was spent on living standards (29%). The overall analysis of this variable establishes that in the block, women's empowerment was above average, and rural area credit helps members of women SHGs start new businesses. Most women SHGs have taken loans for economic activities such as dairy, mushrooms, food processing and organic agriculture.