Abstract

Group approach has been contributing significantly to poverty alleviation Programme in developing countries especially in Asia. In India, Self Help Group (SHG) approach is more successful than the other group approaches; it is the more attractive scheme with less effort. Microcredit through self-help groups (SHGs) has emerged as a facilitator to reach the rural poor. Group dynamics refer to the interaction of forces among group members in a social situation. It is the internal nature of the group as to how they are formed, what their structures and processes are, how they function and affect individual members, other groups and the organization (Van and Schaller, 2008). Women participation in Self Help Groups has obviously created a tremendous impact upon the life pattern and style of poor women and has empowered them at various levels. Therefore, a study was designed to study the dynamics of women self-help groups, their growth Pattern and factors contributing to the sustainability of women’s groups, in agriculture and allied sectors. Results revealed that out of 447 SHGs studied over a period of 5 years, it was observed that no SHG was defunct or discontinued. It was interesting to note that all the SHG members were working in a coordinated manner with group working spirit. There were no dropouts or nonoperational groups at any stage of SHG or modifications in memberships of the members for many reasons. Members were constant throughout the 5 years’ period, indicating their potency and sustainability of the group.

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