Impact of Self-Help Group on Livelihood of Rural Tribal Women in East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh

Abstract

The study was carried out with rural women of Adi and Galo tribes of East Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, associated with 19 self-help groups (SHGs) for understanding the prospect and bottle neck in their functioning during 2013–2016. A random sample of 50 members from self-help groups (SHGs) associated with ATMA, Pasighat, East Siang, Arunachal Pradesh were evaluated. The study revealed that maximum changes (84%) occurred in awareness on household maintenance and cleanliness. Further, measurable changes have been observed in knowledge in agriculture and allied activities as well as promoting habit of saving (82%). Self Help Group in Arunachal Pradesh played an important role in development of agriculture and allied sector, agro-processing, marketing and handicraft sectors. a Role of SHGs in poverty alleviation, food security and employment generation is well established. The major constrain faced by tribal women members of SHGs was marketing of farm produce (76%) and availability of input for different activities (78%), respectively.