What are the Challenges for Women’s Agricultural Collectives? A Study of Rural Women in Self-help Groups

Abstract

This article reports on part of a larger project on the feminisation of agriculture that explored the roles of self-help groups (SHGs) in empowering women, enhancing their livelihoods, and promoting sustainable farming practices. Through focus group discussions and interviews, the research conducted in 2024 aimed to identify the micro-level drivers of farmer participation in SHGs in Kerala, India; assess the role of SHGs in the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices; and recommend institutional support mechanisms for more inclusive SHGs. The article discusses the three major themes that emerged as crucial to women: economic empowerment, social empowerment and the need for climate resilience. Despite achievements such as providing women with access to credit, enhancing female leadership, and assisting women in adopting sustainable agricultural practices, the findings highlight persistent challenges for women, including limited market access, policy delays and sociocultural barriers. Bureaucratic inefficiencies and market volatility hindered SHGs’ progress, compounded by resource constraints and limited infrastructure. The research findings offer significant insights into the transformative role of women’s collectives across diverse socioeconomic and agricultural contexts.