SHGs as a Strategy or Mode for Reaching the Unreached for Rural Credit

Abstract

This case, based on published literature and field visits, poses some questions as to whether SHGs can be a substitute for the existing "mode" or "strategy" of RFIs in reaching the unreached, which of three models of linkage of SHGs with banks may be chosen, in what manner saving and loan portfolios of SHGs differ from that of formal RFIs, and how would one rate the performance of SHGs linkage programme from the viewpoints of various stakeholders. Information and data are provided to analyse these questions in addition to providing some historical background of this concept.