Business and marketing strategies of SHGS in food processing Abraham Dimple Tresa, Kalamkar S.S. Centre for Women's Development Studies, New Delhi, dimpletresa@gmail.com Agro-Economic Research Centre, H.M. Patel Institute of Rural Development, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388120, Anand, Gujarat Online published on 23 October, 2017. Summary The popularisation of micro finance and the self help group (SHG) movement supplemented by the involvement of governmental and non governmental agencies in promoting micro enterprise activities, large number of poor women in groups has ventured into food processing based enterprise activities. But owing to many reasons, ranging from marketing to production, supplemented by internal group dynamics and conflicts, many SHGs are unable to sustain the enterprise in the long run. This research examines the performance of micro-enterprises engaged in food processing, all initiated, operated and owned by women groups. Mostly confined to local markets, many of the food processing units are tiny and homebased, operated individually as proprietary concerns or in partnerships, or jointly by members of households mostly for sustenance or livelihoods. The paper examines operational aspects and discusses marketing strategies adopted by SHGs for reaching wider markets. Drawing from the results of the study, it further suggests strategies and policy recommendations that may be adopted for promotion of small and tiny food processing units owned by SHG women. Top |