Socio-Economic Profile of Self-Help Group Members in Udaipur District of Rajasthan

Abstract

This study assessed the socio-economic profile of women Self-Help Group (SHG) members in Udaipur District of Rajasthan during 2022-23. Udaipur District was selected purposively, and Kotra and Rishabhdeo blocks were chosen because they had the highest numbers of SHGs. Five Gram Panchayats from each selected block were sampled, one SHG was selected from each Gram Panchayat, and 12 respondents were selected from each SHG, resulting in a total sample of 120 respondents. Data were collected with an interview schedule prepared in the local language and pre-tested among non-sampled respondents. The profile variables included age, education, family occupation, social participation, annual income, training exposure, economic motivation, extension contact, and mass media exposure. The findings showed that 58.33% of the women members belonged to the middle-age group. A combined 54.17% were illiterate, could read only, or could read and write. Agriculture + labourer and Agriculture together constituted the main occupations of 91.67% of respondents. Medium levels were reported for social participation (67.50%), annual income (76.67%), economic motivation (67.50%), extension contact (57.50%), and mass media exposure (65.00%). The largest proportion of respondents (37.50%) had received more than three days of training. Overall, the findings provide a descriptive socio-economic profile of the sampled women SHG members in the selected areas of Udaipur District.