Perception of rural people about the cottage industries in Dharwad Taluk of Karnataka

Study was made on the profile of people engaged in cottage industries with the formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Dharwad Taluka of Dharwad district of Karnataka. It was observed that most of the respondents (62%) were middle aged and with maximum of them (67%) having only primary education. They had very marginal land holding (67%) with majority of them (68%) having low income of 1000–3000. They were irregular (51%) in mass media participation with low (51%) standed of living. Nearly half of them (48%) were hygienic and possessed assets like television (44%), bullocks (36%) and agricultural implements (20%). Most of them saved their funds in financial institutions (41%). Majority (84%) had awareness about cottage industries with two third (75%) with the view that cottage industries provided them additional income.