Study on Profile Characteristics of Self-help Group members in Himachal Pradesh

Self-help groups have emerged as a vital tool for economic development in India. In hill states like Himachal Pradesh importance of self-help group increases manifold due to higher number of fragmented small and marginal landholdings. Self-help groups must sustain as an economic venture for the overall development of rural areas. It is very important to study individual member traits to understand the sustainability of self-help groups. The present study was conducted in the state of Himachal Pradesh to assess socio-personal, socio-economic, and communication variables of self-help group members and to make a comparison with non-member farmers. Findings of the study reveal that most of the SHG members were of the middle age category, with dominating membership by women farmers. Most of the SHG members adopted vegetable farming along with other agriculture activities with medium vegetable growing experience. SHG members attended significantly higher training programmes than non-member farmers. Most of the farmers have marginal landholding but SHG members put a significantly higher portion of landholding in vegetable cultivation when compared to non-member farmers. Significantly higher vegetable production was reported for SHG member vegetable farms, and the reason for this was higher media exposure and significantly higher extension contacts of SHG members than non-members.

• Vegetable farming self-help groups have gained momentum during one decade and are important rural economy drivers.

• Sustainability of vegetable farming self-help groups requires an extensive socio-personal, socioeconomic, and communication profile study of SHG members.

• Younger and middle-aged farmers are more inclined towards the formation of self-help groups.

• Organizing small and marginal vegetable growers in hills helps to strengthen the rural economy. Women farmers constitute a major portion of self-help group activities.