Women Self Help Groups and Dairy Farming

Late Shriram Ahirrao Memorial Trust was started with a view to provide medical services to masses through public awareness in rural areas in and around Dhule, Maharashtra. It has implemented numerous health care, and HIV/AIDS programmes for the benefit of women. With a view to provide employment and income, trust approached Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, New Delhi to take up dairy farming under Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP). It organized 635 women into 57 self help groups and provided assistance in the form of capacity building, margin money, etc. Present study is an attempt to analyze performance of dairy farming taken up under STEP in Dhule. Study is based on both primary and secondary data collected during December 2010-January 2011. The study found that women have been managing dairy enterprises efficiently and both income and employment has increased. In addition to economic empowerment, group approach helped in achieving self confidence, participation in democratic institutions, awareness about health and sanitation and a forum to share happiness. Besides above, it also increased interactions with officials and exposure to outside world ultimately leading to enhanced social status in the house and society. They are now taking up various social issues benefiting women and children.