Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology

Whereas there is ample evidence that the Self-Help Groups (SHG) approach is a very effective, efficient, and relevant tool for organizing and empowering the poor, do arise with the design, development, and introduction of programs to promote income-generating activities (IGAs) that will generate sufficient, sustainable and regular income. Mahabubnagar district is one of the 33 districts in the Indian state of Telangana. The district is situated in the Southern Telangana region of the state. The administrative headquarters of the district is situated at Mahabubnagar Urban. The wide range of agricultural activities and allied sources undertaken by the SHG members in the study 11.11 per cent of respondents had dairy and 8.33 per cent of respondents had piggery meager proportion of respondents 6.66 per cent had gone for goattery production. A maximum of less than half 34.44 per cent of the respondents had paddy cultivation as their primary occupation followed by vegetable cultivation engaged by 22.77 per cent of the respondents and 20.00 per cent of SHG members were also involved in sugarcane cultivation. More than one-tenth 15.00 per cent of respondents had gone for banana cultivation whereas a meager proportion of respondents 7.22 per cent had gone for vermicompost production. Several respondents were engaged in individual sources apart from their group to be involved in tailoring 18.88 per cent, pickles making 16.66 percent and toys making 13.88 per cent, Regarding group based activity, napkin preparation 15.00 per cent, curry leaf powder preparation 11.12 cent, foot mat preparation 10.00 per cent and areca plate preparation 10.55 per cent were the major income generating activities found in the study area.