Economics of income generating activities under SHG finance in Meghalaya

The present study was conducted in West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya covering four blocks viz. Rongram, Dadenggre, Gambegre and Selsela. A sample size of 200 SHG beneficiaries was selected by using multiple stage random sampling method. Field level data was elicited for the year 20010-11 through personal interview method. For analyzing the data, tabular analysis was employed. The main income generating activities of SHG beneficiaries were agricultural and plantation crops, livestock farming and business and cottage industries. The cost of Income Generating Activities (IGAs) was estimated based on establishment and maintenance cost. The results revealed that per farm total cost of IGAs was estimated to be Rs. 28088.51 in the average farm situation. The net return over total cost in these major IGAs was Rs. 77637.55 in the average farm situation. Return per rupee of expenditure was found to be the highest in agricultural and plantation crops. The IGAs taken up by the sample SHG beneficiaries under SHG finance were profitable in the area.