An Economic Analysis of Microfinance Through Women Entrepreneurs

The micro finance is agenda for empowering poor women. Micro enterprises are an integral part of planned strategy for securing balanced development of the economy of the poor women. Rural women's participation in agro-based activities is much more than what statistics reveal. The study was conducted with the following specific objectives; to evaluate the role of self Help Groups in women entrepreneurship in Vellapatti village. To assess the perception of beneficiaries about the role of SHGs. To evaluate the working of the SHGs in Vellapatti village. The present study is based on both primary and secondary data. Primary data have been collected by conducting a survey among 75 sample respondents from 9 Self Help Groups in different areas of Vellapatti village of Tuticorin town. Eight respondents were selected from each Self Help Group. Random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Percentage analysis, averages, chi square test and probability analysis were used. The data relates to the month of April 2012. The study reveals that 17.33 percent of the sample respondent's suggestions to improve the performance of SHGs are to provide more loans, whereas 60 percent and 22.67 percent of the sample respondents' suggestion is to provide loan at right time and to provide loan at lesser rate of interest. Microfinance has been one of the few effective tools for poverty reduction over the past years. Through the creation of self help groups, poor people can safely deposit money and accumulate funds for future investments or emergencies as well as access loans for productive purposes leading to higher incomes. Women are participating in all the productive activities and are at par with men. Government, banks and other financial institutions should come forward to offer loans for rural women, so that women entrepreneurs' movement in India will work on right direction to empower more and more women in social, economical, cultural and in political matters