EFFECTIVENESS OF SELF-HELP GROUPS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS AND FOOD SECURITY IN LAMPUNG, INDONESIA

Abstract

The Community-Based Livelihood Improvement Programme (PPMK) implemented with the help of Self-Help Groups (SHG) is expected to improve the livelihoods of poor people. This study aims to analyse: 1) the effectiveness of SHG in the implementation of PPMK programmes, 2) food security of SHG member households, and 3) the relationship between the effectiveness of PPMK programme implementation and SHG member food security. The study was conducted at Margodadi Village, Metro City in October-December 2018. The research method used involved a survey with a quantitative approach with saturation sampling techniques. Respondents were 25 SHG members who were recipients of aid under the PPMK programme. A descriptive analysis method was used to answer the first and second objectives, while the non-parametric statistic of Spearman’s Rank correlations was used to answer the third objective. The results showed that: 1) SHG members were effective in implementing the PPMK programme with a rating in the “good” category, with all the overall programme objectives being achieved, helping to increase the income of SHG member households, strengthening SHG’s institutional capacity and the ability of SHG members to expand their business; 2) the food security level of the majority of SHG member households in Margodadi Village was both objectively and subjectively in high category; and 3) the effectiveness of SHG in the PPMK was significantly different from the level of household food security. Keywords: Group effectiveness, program, food security, household