Abstract

The present study was conducted, on dairy based women self help groups (SHGs), with the objective to know the constraints faced by members of these groups. An ex- post facto research design was used. The study revealed that the most widespread constraints are non- availability of green fodder round the year, expensive treatment of animals and insufficient funds to purchase dairy animals. The constraints faced by more than 50% of the members were unawareness of membership criteria and vague concept of SHG, inappropriate animal housing facilities, complicated banking procedures, lack of storage facility for milk and by-products at village level, lack of supervision of SHGs activities and records by government official. While the other constraints faced by least percent of respondents were unorganized marketing structure, difficulty in account related activities, insufficient learning in training programmes, more distance between market and villages, difficulty in formulation of norms, non-cooperation of bank officers and lack of awareness about modus operandi of SHG.

Key words: Women, dairy, self help group, constraints, factors.