Self Help PDF

IDENTIFICATION OF TRAINING NEEDS OF WOMEN
SELF HELP GROUPS OF SOUTHERN COASTAL

DISTRICTS OF TAMILNADU
Thesis submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of

Master of Fisheries Science in Fisheries Extension to the Tamilnadu
Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai
MD. ALI HASSAN, B.F.Sc.

ID. No. MFT 04012 (FEX)
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES EXTENSION

FISHERIES COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE
TAMILNADU VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES UNIVERSITY
THOOTHUKUDI – 628 008
2006
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the thesis entitled, “Identification of training needs of
women self help groups of southern coastal districts of Tamilnadu” submitted in part
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Fisheries
Science in Fisheries Extension to the Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences
University, Chennai is a record of bonafide research work carried out by Md.
Ali Hassan under my supervision and guidance and that no part of this thesis has been
submitted for the award of any other degree, diploma, fellowship or similar titles.
Place: Thoothukudi
(K. VEERABHADRAN)
Date: Chairman
APPROVED BY
CHAIRMAN : Dr. K. VEERABHADRAN
MEMBERS : 1. Dr. N. V. SUJATHKUMAR
2. Dr. R. SENTHILATHIBAN
EXTERNAL EXAMINER
Date:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to my
Chairman Dr. K. Veerabhadran, Assistant Professor (SS), Department of Fisheries
Extension, for his invaluable guidance, constant support and encouragement.
I am very much grateful to the Advisory Committee Members,
Dr. N. V. Sujathkumar, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Fisheries
Extension and Dr. R. Senthilathiban, Associate Professor and Head, Department of
Fisheries Resources and Economics for their keen interest and help rendered throughout
the period of study.
I am extremely thankful to Dr. R. Santhanam, Dean, Fisheries College and
Research Institute, Thoothukudi for the facilities provided and for his encouragement
during the period of study.
I owe my sincere thanks to Dr. R. Santhakumar, Assistant Professor (SS)
Department of Fisheries Extension and Dr. R. Jayaraman, Associate Professor,
Department of Fisheries Resources and Economics for their support and encouragement
during the entire period of study.
I thank Mr. M. Jeyaraj, Fisheries Assistant, Mr. P. Moorthy and Mr. R.
P. Balaji for their help during the course of the study.
I specially thank all the library staff of this institute for their help in providing
references.
I gratefully acknowledge the moral support and continuos encouragement from
my parents, all my family members and brother Kabul during the period of study.
Md. Ali Hassan

CONTENTS
Chapter Page
Title
No. No.
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 5
2.1. Profile of women Self Help Groups 5
2.2. Knowledge level of women Self Help Groups in post

13
harvest and culture technologies
2.3. Identification of training needs of women Self Help Groups 14
2.4. Relative preference of type, season, duration, venue,

14
method of training and training group of women SHGs.
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 16
3.1. Selection of study area 16
3.2. Description of study area 16
3.3. Selection of respondents 19
3.4. Measurement of variables and operationalisation of

19
concepts
3.5. Method of data collection 30
3.6. Statistical tools used 31
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 32
4.1. Profile of women Self Help Groups 32
4.2. Knowledge level of women Self Help Groups in post

42
harvest and culture technologies
4.3. Training needs of women Self Help Groups 44

Chapter Page
Title
No. No.
4.4. Relationship between the profile of women SHG

48
members and training needs

50
method of training and training group of women SHGs
5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 58
5.1. Profile of women SHGs 59
5.2. Knowledge level of women SHGS 61
5.3. Identification of training needs of women SHGs 61
5.4. Relationship between the profile of women SHG

62
members and training needs

62
method of training and training group of women SHGs
5.6. Problems in the development of SHGs 63
5.7. Strategies for the development of women SHGs 63
5.8. Areas for future research 65
6. REFERENCES 66
APPENDICES
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Title Page No.
No.
1. List of blocks selected with its women SHG population and

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number of respondents selected from each blocks
2. Independent / dependent variables and their empirical

20
measurements
3. Age distribution of the respondents 33
4. Educational status of the respondents 33
5. Family status of the respondents 34
6. Occupational status of the respondents 35
7. Experience of the respondents 35
8. Time spent of the respondents 36
9. Annual income of the respondents 37
10. Annual expenditure of the respondents 37
11. Annual savings of the respondents 38
12. Economic motivation of the respondents 39
13. Social participation of the respondents 39
14. Mass media exposure of the respondents 40
15. Extension agency contact of the respondents 41
16. Scientific orientation of the respondents 41
17. Decision-making of the respondents 42
18. Knowledge level of the respondents 42
19. Training needs of women SHG members 45

Table
Title Page No.
No.
20. Relationship between profile of women SHG members and training

49
needs
21. Type of training preferred by the respondents. 50
22. Season of training preferred by the respondents 52
23. Duration of training preferred by the respondents 54
24. Venue of training preferred by the respondents 54
25. Method of training preferred by the respondents 56
26. Training group preferred by the respondents. 56

LIST OF FIGURES
Fig. No. Title Page No.
1. Map showing the study areas 18
2. Decision making of the respondents 43
3. Knowledge level of the respondents 43
4. Training needs of women Self Help Groups 46
5. Cleaning of shrimp for pickle preparation 47
6. Fish/prawn pickle prepared by women SHG members 47
7. Women SHG member packing fish pickle 47
8. Fish soup powder prepared by women SHG members 47
9. Fish cutlet prepared by women SHG members 47
10. Crab pickle prepared by women SHG members 47
11. Distribution of respondents based on their training needs with

51
reference to type, season and duration
12. Women self help group members 53
13. Women SHG members attending training classes 53
14. Lobster collected for fattening by women SHG members 53
15. Farm visit by the women SHG members 53
16. Net cleaning by women SHG members on shore 53
17. Distribution of respondents based on their training needs with

55
reference to venue, method of training and group of training
18. Empirical model of training needs 64

CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION
Women are the most vital part in the human resource development of a country.
They are the agents of change and they constitute nearly half of the world’s population.
In most South Asian countries, the status of women is low and their socio-economic
conditions are much more depressed than that of men. Though in India constitutional and
legal status of women are equal to men in all respects, the reality is that they suffer in all
sphere of social and economic life. Poverty in fact, is one of the aspects of deprived
condition. Low earnings, lower wages, low level of technical skills, limited access to the
new technology of production, low literacy, malnutrition and poor health are the
conditions prevailing among the rural women.
The position of women in Indian society from the very ancient time was
subordinate, subservient, inglorious, inferior and unequal to their male counter parts. The
status of women in independent India occupies an important role and all efforts are being
made to establish the significant place that she can play in the upliftment of herself and
the society at large. It is well known that women have been playing a vital role in the
household activities since time immemorial. But, today they have pervaded every
conceivable sector of the national activity and had made their indelible impression in
various fields, which have so far been considered as the exclusive rights of men.
However, women still suffer from drastic inequalities, despite receiving constant
attention of both planners and policy makers, their life at home and outside is still
extremely arduous and monotonous.

In fisheries, the work performed by women is multi-dimensional but still not fully
recognised and is often under represented. Thus, there is need for the identification of
workload and training need areas in various aspects of fisheries. Often, the trainings,
workshops, seminars, etc. organised for the developmental processes are male oriented.
Therefore, there is need to focus on the womenfolk, tapping the full potential of women
for the developmental process, call for enhancing their capabilities to augment and
upgrade their contribution to human resource management.
Nowadays women need to alter their self-image and therefore social image. To
give rural women visibility and to enable society to come in contact with them, they must
get organised into groups. Group approach was viable setups to disburse credit to the
rural women and empower them in rural areas. Thus the Swarnejanti Gram Swarajgar
Yojana (SGSY) has emerged as one of the main antipoverty programmes instituted by the
government in April 1999 with strategies to lift the rural poor out of poverty within three
years by generating significant and sustainable income by organising them into Self Help
Groups (SHGs).
This Self Help Group (SHG) approach has been taken up by women as one of the
viable ways to achieve their empowerment. This made them to get free from the clusters
of moneylenders in one hand and help them to stand on their own legs within the family
on the other hand. Apart from these benefits, this SHG approach made the rural women
to participate in various activities of life such as literacy, health and socio-economic
development programmes which they were not endowed to do so. Hence, the SHG
movement would make an impact on the empowerment of women through
entrepreneurial activities but also made great impact in family, community and nation as
a whole in this decade.

Self Help Groups in Tamilnadu
The concept of SHG showed to underline the principle “for the people, by the
people and of the people”. This was exclusively established for the poor. The concept
of SHGs enhanced equality in social and cultural spheres of life. Self Help Groups
encourage women to take active part in socio-economic development of our nation.
The SHG movement in Tamilnadu, made their beginning in 1989 as International
Federation for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted pilot project in two blocks in
Dharmapuri district. Realising the potentialities of this SHG, the Tamilnadu Government
initiated an ambitious programme known as “Mahalir Thittam” with the intention to
reach the poorest of the poor in all communities and with much emphasis on scheduled
castes and scheduled tribes. As per the report of Tamilnadu Corporation for Women
Development (TNCWD) Chennai 2006, there are 2,60,650 SHGs with enrollment of
4,221,729 women in the state under Mahalir Thittam.
The objective of training is to improve the capabilities of women SHG members
in order to increase their efficiency and effectiveness. Training is expected to inculcate
positive changes in their knowledge, skill and attitude. Trainings should change the
attitude of women SHG members for greater employment opportunities, self
employment, strengthening social relationships, reduction in dropouts, awareness among
parents, give opportunities to landless labourers to secure their necessities of life in
village itself. This will reduce the migration rate of villagers to the urban areas.
Importance of the study
The present study was undertaken to identify and analyse the training needs of
women Self Help Group (SHGs) members in entrepreneurial activities. The specific
objectives of the study are as follows:
1) to study the profile of women Self Help Groups

2) to measure the knowledge level of women Self Help Groups in post harvest and
culture technologies
3) to identify the training needs of women Self Help Groups and
4) to assess the relative preference of type, season, duration, venue, method of training
and training group of women Self Help Groups.
Scope and importance of the study
No exclusive attempts have been made so far to identify and analyse the training
needs of women SHGs in entrepreneurial activities. In this study, the profile, knowledge
level, training need areas and relative preference of type, season, duration, venue, method
of training and training group of women SHGs with respect to post harvest and
culture technologies had been assessed. The findings on training needs of SHG members
on entrepreneurial activities would help the project officers (Mahalir Thittam), Non
Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Voluntary Organisations (VOs) to organise
suitable training programmes to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the
womenfolk in general and particularly SHGs.
Limitations of the study

It is true that any scientific investigation carried out by a researcher has the
limitations of conveyance, geographical area, time and funds, which rendered it difficult
to take up an extensive study. Despite all these limitations, every care was taken to make
the study as objective, definite and systematic as possible. The study was carried out in
the selected 6 blocks of Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts of Tamilnadu.

CHAPTER-2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
An intensive scrutiny of available literature is valuable in gaining an insight and
discernment into the path of research problems. A study of past findings will pave the
way for endeavour. An acquaintance with earlier pertinent studies are necessary to
develop good understanding about present study and enable to formulate appropriate
research designs. Keeping this in view an attempt was made to review the related
literature.
Since the identification of training needs of women Self Help Groups is a new
research area, an earnest effort was made to review the available literature not only from
fisheries science but also from agriculture and veterinary disciplines having direct and
indirect bearing on the study. The review has been organised in the following sub-heads.
2. 1. Profile of women Self Help Groups.
2. 2. Knowledge levels of women Self Help Groups in post harvest and culture
technologies.
2. 3. Identification of the training needs of women Self Help Groups.
2. 4. Assess the relative preference of type, season, duration, venue, method of

training and training group of women Self Help Groups.
2. 1. Profile of women Self Help Groups

2. 1. 1. Age
Sundararajan and Renuka (1998) stated that the majority of respondents belonged
to the age group of 20 to 30 years. Narayanan (2004) reported that 55 per cent of the
SHG members were young aged, 37.5 per cent of them were middle aged and 7.50 per
cent were old.

Vengatesan (2001) opined that majority of the women in general belonged to
young aged category (55 per cent) followed by middle (33.33 per cent) and old aged
(11.67 per cent). Karumalai Kannan and Santhakumar (2005) reported that 40 per cent of
the women SHG members were young (upto 35) years. Joseph and Easwaran (2006)
concluded that majority of the respondents were aged between 40 and 60 years.
2. 1. 2. Educational status
Gupta and Srinath (1992) found that 45.78 per cent of the fisherwomen had
education upto primary level, 29.92 per cent upto secondary level, 14.35 per cent had
higher secondary education and only 2.22 per cent of them had education above
matriculation level. Sujatha (1999) revealed that fisherwomen were predominantly
illiterate (99 per cent). Narayanan (2004) expressed that majority of the SHG members
(95 per cent) were educated from primary to secondary education.
Karumalai Kannan and Santhakumar (2005) found that 40 per cent of the women
SHG members were educated upto primary level. Sophiah (2005) reported that 52 per
cent of the fisherwomen had primary education, 38 per cent of them had high school
education, 4.7 per cent of them had higher secondary education and 3 per cent of them
pursued degrees and only 5 per cent of the fisherwomen were illiterate.
2. 1. 3. Family status
2. 1. 3. 1. Family type
Sathiadhas et al. (1994) reported that 51 per cent of the fisherfolk at
Mallipattinam and 42 per cent at Keechankuppam were living in huts. Sheela (1995)
expressed that 70 per cent of the respondents had nuclear families and the average family
size was 5.
Shoba (1998) found that majority (75 per cent) of the rural women were in
nuclear families. The size of the family ranged from 2 to 4. Narayanan (2004) indicated
that 65.84 per cent of the respondents belonged to nuclear family and the rest of them
belonged to joint family.
2. 1. 3. 2. Family size
Mamatha and Hiremath (2002) revealed that 75 per cent of the families had less
than 5 members and only 25 per cent of the family had more than 5 members. Arpita
Sharma (2003) opined that most of the women were married and had nuclear families
with average number of children as 4 and total family members as 6. Karumalai Kannan
and Santhakumar (2005) expressed that (81.67 per cent) of the women SHG members
had up to 5 members in their family and only 18.33 per cent had more than 5 members in
their family.
2. 1. 3. 3. Marital status
Veeraputhiran (2000) reported that 60.55 per cent of the fisherwomen respondents
were leading married life followed by unmarried (35 per cent) and widowed (8 per cent).
Kumaran (2002) found that 98.90 per cent of women respondents were married and only
1.10 per cent of women were widow in the study. Sarah kamala (2004) indicated that
97.78 per cent of the women were found married and 24.44 per cent of the women were
found to be widow.
2. 1. 4. Occupational status
Sadangi et al. (1999) indicated that 60 per cent of fihserwomen were primarily
involved in fishing and fish trading and 40 per cent of the fisherwomen were involved in
aquaculture activities in the study. Veeraputhiran (2000) reported that 76.67 per cent
women respondents had fisheries alone as their main occupation followed by fisheries
plus labour (15 per cent) and fisheries plus business (8.33 per cent).
Narayanan (2004) revealed that 85 per cent of respondents were engaged in
agricultural activities and among them most (55 per cent) of the respondents were
agricultural labourers. Dana et al. (2005) indicated that most of the fisherwomen were
engaged in agricultural and other household activities besides aquaculture activities.
Sophiah (2005) reported that 48 per cent, 8 per cent and 5 per cent of the fisherwomen
were involved in fish marketing, agriculture labour and petty shop trading respectively.
About 39 per cent of them were not engaged in any occupation.
2. 1. 5. Experience in SHG
Sultana et al. (2002) revealed that most of the women has involved in fishing for
less than 10 years (56 per cent), 40 per cent of them had been fishing for more than 10
years and 4 per cent of them had been fishing for more than 20 years. Kumaran et al.
(2003) expressed that most of the farmers had more than five years of fishing experience.
Deboral Vimala et al. (2004) reported that most of the women had directly or
indirectly involved in brackish water aquaculture for a period of 1-16 year. Karumalai
Kannan and Santhakumar (2005) stated that 50 per cent of the women SHG members had
3-4 years of experience and equal percentage of them had more than 3 years of
experience in SHG activities.
2. 1. 6. Time spent in SHG

Madheswaran and Amita Dharmadhikary (2001) observed that the SHG meeting
was held once in a month on a fixed date, where women participation rate was very high.
Tempelman, (1987) reported that women spent about 50.00 per cent of their time on
household activities. Women were engaged in fish marketing between 7 and 10 hours a
day and 5 to 7 days a week.

Malik et al. (2004) expressed that women spent more than 90 per cent of their
time on cattle care, making it more or less female domain. Karumalai Kannan and
Santhakumar (2005) revealed that 60 per cent of the women SHG members spent 3-9
hours per week in SHG activities.
2. 1. 7. Annual income
Srinath and Thangamani (1992) found that the annual income of a typical fishing
household in India ranged from Rs.2,500 to 3,500 out of which 80 per cent of the money
were spent on food. Sundararajan and Renuka (1998) stated that only 4 households
had an annual income between Rs.10,000 and 20,000 and 12 respondents had an income
between Rs.8,000 and 10,000.
Arivukkarasu and Sujathkumar (2005) expressed that the average annual income
of the fisherfolk from fishing related activities constituted Rs.26,550. Karumalaikannan
and Santhakumar (2005) reported that 64.17 per cent of the women SHG members had
low level of annual income followed by medium (30 per cent) and high (5.83 per cent)
level of annual income. Sophiah (2005) indicated that 2.60 per cent of
fisherwomen families had annual income of Rs.9600, 86.90 per cent of them had
Rs.9,600 to 24,000 and 10.50 per cent belonged to the income group of Rs.24,000 to
45,000.
2. 1. 8. Annual expenditure
Sundararajan and Renuka (1998) observed that lower income group borrowed
money from friends, relatives and moneylenders in order to meet their household
expenses. Nishchith (2001) found that the pattern of expenditure of the women in
different income groups indicated that major portions were allocated for personal use,
education of children and savings.

Sophiah (2005) reported that 60.60 per cent of the fisherwomen families spent
Rs.18,250 per year, 22.80 per cent of them spent Rs.18,250 to 21,900 per year, 14.30
per cent of them spent Rs.22,225 to 29,200 per year and only 2.20 per cent of them spent
above Rs.29,200 to meet the family expenses.
2. 1. 9. Annual savings
Gurumoorthy (2000) reported that Self Help Group members save a regular
amount of Rs. 240 to 1,200 per month. Nishchith (2001) expressed that more than half
(53.65 per cent) of their earnings, on an average, was kept as savings. Rao (2002)
concluded that depending on the economic status of group, women saved Rs.800 to 1,800
annually.
Kumaran (2002) revealed that 96.70 per cent of the women had high saving habit
after joining Self Help Group. Monthly savings among the fisherwomen members varied
from Rs. 20 to 50. Sophiah (2005) expressed that annual savings of the fisherwomen
ranged between Rs.120 and Rs.1,340 in the fisherwomen SHG. Gupta and Namit Gupta
(2006) reported that a maximum of Rs. 40,000 were saved by women SHG in a year.
2. 1. 10. Economic motivation
Sujathkumar (2000) revealed that 59.06 per cent of the women had medium level
of economic motivation followed by high (27.19 per cent) and low (13.75 per
cent) levels of economic motivation. Nandeesha (2001) expressed that greater
participation of women in fisheries activities and their contribution to increasing family
income give them better control of finance and a greater role in decision making. Arul Oli
(2004) stated that most of the fishermen are highly oriented towards maximising
economic profits through fishing and its allied activities.

Narayanan (2004) revealed that majority (84.17 per cent) of the SHG members
had possessed high level of economic motivation. Kala (2004) reported that the Self
Help Groups were not only engaged in savings but also play internal lending activities in
their groups for their economic upliftment.
2. 1. 11. Social participation
Ahilan and Selvaraj (1992) reported that the fisherwomen were found to
participate only in the activities of the Mahila Mandal. Although membership was poor,
it was however found that by and large, most of them participated actively and made
adequate use of the Mahila Mandal. Sujathkumar (2000) revealed that many of the
women had medium (34.69 per cent) and high (34.06 per cent) level of social
participation followed by low level (31.25 per cent). Chandarika (2004) reported that
women were often not taking part in organisation like, Fish Worker Organisations
(FWOs) and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Narayanan (2004) revealed that vast majority (99.17 per cent) of the SHG
members had low to medium level of social participation. Sophiah (2005) found that
about 55.20 per cent of the women SHG members participated in Panchayat Raj
Insititutions (PRI) 15.40 per cent of the fisherwomen participated in SHG federation
activities and about 83 per cent of them visited banks.
2. 1. 12. Mass media exposure
According to Sheela (1995) 13 per cent of the respondents used radio and 30
per cent read newspapers for knowing day to day information. Veeraputhiran (2000)
reported that more than 60.00 per cent of the fisherwomen had medium level of mass
media exposure followed by high (28.33 per cent) and low (11.67 per cent).
Balasubramani (2001) indicated that more than 76 per cent of the women
respondents watched TV either frequently or sometimes and 25 per cent of the women
respondents watch TV rarely or never. Karumalai Kannan and Santhakumar (2005)
opined that 47.50 per cent of the women SHG members read newspapers, listen radio and
watch TV regularly followed by occasionally (36.39 per cent) and never
(16.11 per cent).
2. 1. 13. Extension agency contact
Kiron (1992) reported that the contact of fisherfolk with the extension
organisations was very low. Veeraputhiran (2000) reported that 66.67 per cent of the
respondents were found to have low level of contact with extension agencies followed by
medium (23.89 per cent) and high (9.44 per cent) level of contact.
Arivukkarasu and Sujathkumar (2005) concluded that contact of fisherfolk with
extension organisations was very low. Karumalai Kannan and Santhakumar (2005)
opined that 44.17 per cent of the women SHG members contact the development
personnel once in a week followed by 30 per cent forth-nightly, 18.33 per cent
monthly and only 7.50 per cent had contact occasionally with the development personnel.
2. 1. 14. Scientific orientation
Kiron (1992) reported that majority of the respondents had low level of scientific
orientation in fisheries activities. Ahilan (1999) observed that 56.60 per cent of the
fisherfolk had low level of scientific orientation.
Sujathkumar (2000) reported that about 53.13 percent of the respondents had
medium level of scientific orientation followed by high (30.39 per cent) and low (15.94
per cent) level of scientific orientation. Arul Oli (2004) opined that fisherfolk were
oriented towards the use of new information and scientific methods in the activities of
sustainable marine fisheries development.
2. 1. 15. Decision making
Veeraputhiran (2000) reported that 26.65 per cent of the fisherwomen took self-
decision in fisheries related activities and remaining 73.33 per cent of them took joint
decision. Indradeep and Devonita (2004) reported that female members alone did not
participate in any of the decision making process related to fishery activities. Male alone
took 100 per cent decision with respect to adoption of new technology.
Karumalai Kannan and Santhakumar (2005) opined that 55.33 per cent of the
women SHG member had medium level of decision making power followed by high (30
per cent) and low (14.17 per cent). Kokate and Upare (2005) expressed that to overcome
the serious problem, fishermen/stakeholders participation in decision making process is
important.
2. 2. Knowledge level of women Self Help Groups

Gupta and Srinath (1992) found that there was significant increase in the
knowledge level of fisherfolk after attending the training programmes. The impact of
demonstration on scientific prawn culture brought desirable changes in their level of
knowledge and understanding. Sheela (1995) concluded that 75 per cent of the
fisherwomen were found to have medium level of knowledge, while 37 per cent of them
had high and low knowledge in seaweed utilisation respectively.
Ahilan (1999) reported that 52.13 per cent of the respondents were aware of
small-scale fisheries enterprises and the activities of the fisheries development
organisations. However their knowledge level on its various aspects was comparatively
low. Verma (2003) stated that fisherwomen lack appropriate knowledge, skills about
scientific practices of aquaculture.

2. 3. Identification of training needs of women Self Help Groups
Sukumar et al. (1992) opined that married women aged between 25 and 40 with
minimum of high school education may be preferred for training and trained women
extension officers and workers should be preferred for providing training to fisherwomen.
Ahilan (1999) observed that 271 persons expressed the need for training in fish
processing, 103 in net mending, 32 in coastal aquaculture and 78 persons evinced interest
in non-fisheries activities. The fisherwomen were much interested to undergo training in
the preparation of value added fishery products like fish and prawn pickle, fish wafers,
fish soup powder, masmin, etc.
Nandeesha (1996) recommended that women should be given training in fish
processing, marketing and aquaculture because their work dominated in these sub-
sections.
Veeraputhiran (1988) found that fisherwomen preferred training in the
preparation of shark fin ray, fish soup powder, isinglass, masmin, fish flake, fish pickle,
fish murukku, fish liver oil and fish meal.
2.4. Relative preference of type, season, duration, venue, method of training and
training group of women Self Help Groups
Veeraputhiran (1988) revealed that women preferred training during January to
September. More than, 50 per cent of the fisherwomen preferred to have 11-15
days of training and 76.50 per cent of them preferred off campus training. Group
discussion, field trips, demonstrations were considered as the most liked methods of
training by fisherwomen.
Kiron (1992) expressed that lecture cum demonstration was the best methods for
training the fisherwomen in the preparation of value added fishery products.

They preferred training during lean season for duration of 5-10 days. Niar and
Kandoran (1992) stated that lecture with slides was the most effective training method
followed by lecture with charts and lecture alone on the preparation of fish wafer and fish
pickle.
Sheela (1995) reported that lecture and demonstrations were found suitable for
training the fisherwomen. Thiagarajan et al. (1988) reported that lecture with slides
followed by lecture with charts and lecture alone were effective extension training
methods in educating the fisherwomen.
Sujathkumar (2000) reported that about 25 per cent of the respondents required on
campus training; 22.81 per cent of the respondents need off-campus training and 8.13 per
cent of the respondents preferred training in all seasons.

CHAPTER-3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Based on the objectives of the study, this chapter dealt with the details regarding
selection of districts, blocks and respondents. Besides the description of the locale, study
variables and their measurement procedure, data collection methods and the use of
statistical tools have also been outlined.
3. 1. Selection of the study area
3. 2. Description of study area
3. 3. Selection of respondents
3. 4. Measurement of variables and operationalisation of concepts
3. 5. Methods of data collection
3. 6. Statistical tools used
3. 1. Selection of the study area
Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli districts of Tamilnadu were selected for
investigation due to the following reasons. Majority of the Self Help Group women in
these districts are involved in fisheries activities like fish culture, fish processing, etc.
These districts are also having high production of fish through culture and capture
(Loveson, 2005). The researcher was fairly familiar with both the systems and necessary
physical facilities were made available to the researcher.
3. 2. Description of the study area
The two selected districts (Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli) are having the total Self
Help Groups of 11017 and 13588. (Mahalir Thittam Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli 2005-
2006). Out of these, three blocks with the highest number of women Self Help Groups
from both the districts have been selected. The name of the blocks selected were
Alwarthirunagari, Thoothukudi and Ottapidaram, from Thoothukudi District, and
Ambasamudram, Palayamkottai and Valliyoor from Tirunelveli district.
To develop better perception about the findings and also to relate them for similar
situations else where, it would be necessary to know the general conditions of the study
area. Hence, the details of the locale of research are prescribed.
3. 2. 1. Thoothukudi District
This is the 28th district in Tamilnadu and it covers an area of 4621 km2 accounting
for 3.53 per cent of the total geographical area of the state. It is bounded on the north by
the district of Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram, on the east and south east
by Gulf of Mannar and on the west and south west by the district of Tirunelveli.
According to 2001census, the total population of the district was 1572273 which
accounts for 2.53 per cent of the total population of the state. The density of population
was 340.25/km2 as against the state average of 479.88/km2.
3. 2. 2. Tirunelveli district
This is the 29th district of Tamilnadu and is bounded on North by Virudhunagar
and Thoothukudi districts, West by Kerala State, South by the Bay of Bengal and Gulf of
Mannar. According to 2001 census, the total population of the district was 2723988 of
which 48.97 per cent were male and 51.02 per cent were female. The density of the
population in the district was 400/km2 as against the state average of 479.88/km2.
Fig. 1. Map showing the study areas
Study Districts
Thoothukudi District
Study Blocks Study Blocks

3. 3. Selection of Respondents
President / Secretary of the women SHG of the selected Blocks constituted the
sampling unit. From each of the selected blocks, the list of women SHG was obtained
from the records of the respective Mahalir Thittam. From the list, 20 women SHGs were
randomly selected from each block making a total of 120. The blockwise distribution of
respondents is shown in the table below.
Table-1. List of blocks selected with its women SHG population and number of
respondents selected from each block.
Number of
Name of the Name of the Total number of
Sl. No. respondent
districts blocks. women SHG
selected
1. Thoothukudi Alwarthirunagari 1021 20

Thoothukudi 998 20
Ottapidaram 777 20
2. Tirunelveli Ambasamudram 1702 20

Palayamkottai 1220 20
Valliyoor 1017 20
3. 4. Measurement of variables and operationalisation of concepts
Need is the gap between “what is” and “what ought to be” when the gap is
narrowed one gets satisfaction and confidence in carrying out his/her work, in physical
and social environment. Training is one of the ways to prepare an individual to meet
these needs of the women SHG likely to be associated with some of the personal
characteristics such as age, education, experience, etc. Hence, these factors were
considered to assess the relationship with the training needs of women SHGs in post
harvest and culture technologies.

Table-2. Independent / dependent variables and their empirical measurements
Sl. No. Variable Measurement

A. Independent Variables
1. Age Scoring procedure followed by Indira
Priyadarshini (2002)
2. Educational status Scoring procedure followed by Indira
Priyadarshini (2002)
3. Family status Scoring procedure followed by Narayan
(2004) and Karumalai Kannan (2005)
4. Occupational status Scoring procedure followed by
Sujathkumar (2000)
5. Experience in SHG Scoring procedure developed by
Kanmalai Kannan (2005)
6. Time spent in SHG Scoring procedure followed by
Karumali Kannan (2005)
7. Annual income Schedule followed by Rathakrishnan
(1988)
8. Annual expenditure Schedule developed for the study
9. Annual savings Schedule developed by Manga Sri
(1999)
10. Economic motivation Scale developed by Supe (1969)
11. Social participation Scoring procedure followed by
Veeraputhiran (2000)
12. Mass media exposure Scoring procedure for owned by
Veeraputhiran (2000)
13. Extension agency contact Scoring procedure followed by
Sujathkumar (2000)
14. Scientific orientation Scale followed by Sujathkumar (2000)
15. Decision making Scale followed by Kanmalai Kannan
(2005)
B. Dependent Variable
16. Training needs Schedule developed for the study
3. 4. 1. Operationalisation and measurement of independent variables
3. 4. 1. 1. Age
Age has been operationalised as the number of completed years of the respondent
at the time of enquiry and the chronological age was the measure. The completed years
of the respondent was taken as such for the analysis. The scoring procedure followed by
Indira Priyadarshini (2002) was used in the study.
3. 4. 1. 2. Educational Status
It refers to the educational status of women SHG members. The sub items were
illiterate, functionally literate, primary education, middle school education, secondary
education, and collegiate education. Illiterate is an individual who did not know to read
and write. Functionally literate is one who could read and write only. Primary education
refers to formal schooling up to fifth standard. Middle education refers to the education
in school from sixth to eight standard. Secondary education meant the education from
ninth standard to plus two level. Collegiate education refers to degree / diploma after
schooling. The scoring procedure followed by Indira Priyadharshni (2002) was used for
the study.
Sl. No. Category Score
1. Illiterate 1
2. Functionally literate 2
3. Primary education 3
4. Middle school education 4
5. Secondary education 5
6. Collegiate education 6
3. 4. 1. 3. Family Status
Family status includes family type, family size and marital status. Family type
refers to nuclear or joint family. Family size meant the number of individuals of
sexes living together in a household. Marital status meant whether the respondent is
married, widowed, divorced on unmarried, scoring procedure followed by Indira
Priyadharshini (2002) and Karumalai Kannan (2005) was used for the present study.
Sl. No. Category Classification Score
1. Family type Nuclear 1

Joint 2
2. Family size Up to 5 1
Above 5 2
3. Marital status Unmarried 1

Divorced 2
Widowed 3
Married 4
3. 4. 1. 4. Occupational status
It refers to the occupational status of the respondents. The scoring procedure
followed by Veeraputhiran (2000) was used for the present study.
Sl. No Category Score
1. Fisheries alone 3
2. Fisheries and allied activities 2
3. Others 1
3. 4. 1. 5. Experience in SHG
It was operationalised as the number of years occupied in the SHGs by the
respondent as the main source of her livelihood. The total number of year experience in
the field was considered and scores were assigned. The scoring procedure followed by
Karumalai Kannan (2005) was used for the study.
Sl. No. Category in years score
1. Up to 2 1
2. 3–4 2
3. Above 4 3
3. 4. 1. 6. Time spent in SHG
This refers to the time of hours spent by the women SHG members in a week.
The scoring procedure followed by Karumalai Kannan (2005) was used for the present
study.
Sl. No. Time spent (hrs.) Score
1. Less than 3 1
2. 3–9 2
3. More than 9 3
3. 4. 1. 7. Annual income
Annual income was operationalised as the total income in rupees obtained by a
respondent from different sources like fisheries activities, agricultural activities, wages,
services, business and other sources in one year. Scoring procedure followed by
Veeraputhiran (2000) was used.
Sl. No. Income category Score
1. Rs. 5,000 and below 1

2. Rs. 5,001 to 15,000 2
3. Rs. 15,001 and above 3
3. 4. 1. 8. Annual expenditure
This refers to the amount of money spent for the maintenance of the family for
one year. For the purpose of analysis, for every thousand rupees, one score was given.
3. 4. 1. 9. Annual Savings
It was operationalised as the extent of savings generated by the women SHG
members in a year. The position of savings of each women SHG members before and
after participating in the SHGs was obtained and net savings obtained was calculated for
each group members. For each thousand rupees of savings generated, the score was
calculated by taking an average of the individual group member scores and they were
classified into 3 categories based on their mean and standard deviation. Low - (mean –
standard deviation), Medium - (mean ± standard deviation), High - (mean + standard
deviation). The scale developed by Manga Sri (1999) was used for the study.
3. 4. 1. 10. Economic motivation
Economic motivation was operationalised as the extent to which, women SHG
members are oriented towards the achievement of the maximum economic ends such as
maximisation of profits. The scale developed by Supe (1969) was used with slight
modification in the statement to suit with the present study.
Response
Statement Strongly Strongly
Agreed Undecided Disagreed
agreed Disagreed
Positive Statement 7 5 4 3 1
Negative Statement 1 3 4 5 7
3. 4. 1. 11. Social participation
This refers to the degree of participation / involvement by the respondents in
formal organisation either as member on office bearers and frequency of participation.
Scoring procedure followed by Veeraputhiran (2000) was used with slight modification
to suit the Present study.
Sl. No. Frequency of participation Score
1. Daily 5
2. Weekly 4
3. Monthly 3
4. Occasionally 2
5. Never 1
The scores obtained by an individual were summed up to arrive at the total social
participation score of an individual. However one who had not participated in any of in
organisation received zero score.
3. 4. 1. 12. Mass media exposure
Mass media exposure is operationalised as the degree to which different mass
media sources exposed by the respondents to get information in fisheries and allied fields.
The sources of exposure were radio, television, internet, newspapers, meetings, books,
and others. The scoring procedure followed by Veeraputhiran (2000) was used with
slight modifications to suit the present study.
Sl. No. Frequency of participation Score
1. Daily 5
2. Weekly 4
3. Monthly 3
4. Occasionally 2
5. Never 1
3. 4. 1. 13. Extension agency contact
It was operationalised as the women SHG members contact with different
extension systems through personal contacts and participation in various extension
activities for acquiring information on fisheries and related activities. The scoring
procedure used by Sujathkumar (2000) was followed with slight modification to suit the
present study.
Sl. No. Frequency of contact Score

1. Daily 5
2. Weekly 4
3. Monthly 3
4. Occasionally 2
5. Never 1
3. 4. 1. 14. Scientific Orientation
Scientific orientation was operationalised as the degree to which women SHG
members were oriented to the use of scientific methods and technologies in fisheries and
allied activities. The scale followed by Sujathkumar (2000) was used.
Response
Statement Strongly Strongly
Agreed Undecided Disagreed
agreed Disagreed
Positive statement 7 5 4 3 1
Negative statement 1 3 4 5 7
3. 4. 1. 15. Decision making
Decision making power of women was defined as their power to take a decision
in their day to day life, which influences their wellbeing or position in the family /
society. Decision making power was viewed as the nature of the role played while taking
decisions in terms of passive, active and Dominant.
Passive is the woman do not play any role while taking the decisions and accepts
whatever decision taken by husband and head of the family. Active is those women
involved or participates in decision making in the family. Dominant is when the women
reject the unfavourable decision taken by others and can convince her husband / head of
the family to a decision which is of interest or advantage to her. Women SHG members
were asked to specific type of role they play while taking decision regarding the nine
selected areas. The scoring procedure followed by Karumalai Kannan (2005) was used
for the study.
Sl. No. Category Score
1. Passive 1
2. Active 2
3. Dominant 3
3. 4. 1. 16. Knowledge level
One of the important objectives of this study is to assess the knowledge level of
women SHG in respect of post-harvest and culture technologies. Bloom et al. (1955)
defined knowledge as those behaviours and test situations which emphasised them
remembering either by recognition or recall of ideas, materials or phenomenon.
Acquaintance with facts, truths of principles from the study or investigation has been the
other definition for knowledge. To measure the knowledge level of women SHG in
respect of post-harvest and culture technologies, the teacher made test was followed. In
the present study, knowledge denotes the women SHG members and their ability to
understand the different aspects in fisheries viz. post harvest and culture technologies.
3. 4. 1. 17. Item collection
The content of the knowledge composed of questions called items. A large
number of items with respect to post harvest and culture technologies were collected by
reviewing the available literature and also consulting with experts and the extension
personnels. Item collection was done on the basis of two criteria Viz. it should
promote thinking rather than memorisation, it should differentiate the well informed
women from uninformed women SHG. The items were converted into multiple choice
questions.
3. 4. 1. 18. Item analysis
The collected 40 items were administered to 20 women SHG of the non-sampling
areas. For every correct answer one score was given and for incorrect answers zero score
was given. The total score for each respondent was calculated. Then the respondents
were arranged in descending order of their score from highest to

lowest. At this stage, it was decided to consider only those items that were correctly
answered by the women SHG members and finally 20 items were selected for inclusion
in the knowledge test.
3. 4. 1. 19. Method of Scoring
Each respondent was given one score for the correct answer and zero score for the
incorrect answer. The total knowledge score for each respondent was calculated by
summing up the number of items correctly answered by an individual respondent. The
respondents were classified as low, medium and high in their knowledge level based on
mean and standard deviation.
3. 4. 1. 20. Degree of training needs
Training need was operationalised as the expressed level of training indicated as
required by the respondents in each of the training area referred. Training needs of the
respondents were assessed in specific items. The subject matter area includes the
following items.
3. 4. 1. 20. 1. Aquaculture
Composite fish culture, integrated fish farming, ornamental fish culture, seaweed
culture, live food culture, lobster fattening and crab fattening.
3. 4. 1. 20. 2. Fish processing
Fish / prawn pickle, masala dryfish, masmin, fish wafer, fish cutlet, fish soup
powder, chitosan and fish manure.
Training needs of each major areas and specific items were assessed using a three
point rating scale such as most needed, needed and not needed and it was quantified by
assigning score 3,2 and 1 respectively.

3. 4. 1. 21. Total training needs score
Total training needs score was also worked out to study the relationship between
the training needs and the selected independent variables. The total score for each
respondent was arrived at by summing up the scores of all the major training areas as
rated by the respondents.
3. 1. 4. 22. Ranking system

To measure the training need in the subject matter areas, ranking system was
used. The respondents were asked to check each subject matter on the three-point
continuum. The response obtained were multiplied by the concerned score value. Then
they were added together and divided by the number of respondents, which gave the
mean score for each major subject matter area of training. The mean score obtained
separately for all the major training area were used for marking them.
3. 4. 1. 23. Training
Training is the process by which the desired knowledge, skill, attitude and ideas
are inculcated, fostered and reinforced in an organisation (Singh, 1967).
3. 4. 1. 23. 1. On-campus training

Training given to women by subject matter specialists at the institution such as
Fisheries College, Fisherwomen Training Centres and State Department of Fisheries.
3. 4. 1. 23. 2. Off-campus training

Training given by a team of subject matter specialists of Fisheries Colleges staffs,
State Department of Fisheries and Fisherwomen Training Centres are moving from
village and conducting short term training in the respective field.
The respondents were asked to rank any one of the two types according to their
choice. The means were quantified by assigning a score of two for first ranked
one for second rank. Then the total score for each type of training was found out. There
after the two types of training were arranged in a descending order to get the individual
rank position.
3. 4. 1. 24. Method of training
There are different training methods viz. lecture, demonstration, group discussion
and field trip / study tour. The respondents were asked to rank them in the order of their
preference then the different preferences of each training method given by all the
respondents were converted into total score by assigning score ‘4’ for the first preference
and score ‘1’ for last preference. In this manner the total score for each of the training
method arrived were arranged in descending order to get their individual marking
position.
3. 4. 1. 25. Season of training
This refers to the months in which women preferred to undergo training.
3. 4. 1. 26. Duration of training
This refers to the number of days of training, the women like to undergo.
3. 4. 1. 27. Venue of training
This refers to the place, where training can be carried out.
3. 4. 1. 28. Training group
This refers to the group of women who are subjected to various kinds of training
in improved or new methods of post harvest technologies and culture in fisheries.
3. 5. Method of data collection
Interview schedule was found to be the most appropriate device to collect data
from women SHGs. Before finalising the interview schedule, it was pre-tested in a
village (other than the survey villages). Necessary precautions were taken to ensure that
the questions in the schedule were unambiguous, clear, complete and comprehensive.
The data collection was done by personally contacting the respondents.
3. 6. Statistical tools used
3. 6. 1. Percentage analysis
Percentage analysis was done to make simple comparisons wherever necessary.
3. 6. 2. Use of mean and standard deviation
The respondents were classified into three categories viz. Low, medium
and high group women for different personal characteristics under study. Using
the two parameters namely mean and standard deviation. They are as follows.
Low (below) - mean – standard deviation
Medium (between) - mean + standard deviation
High (above) - mean + standard deviation
3. 6. 3. Correlation Co efficient
This was used to find out the correlation between any two sets of variables viz.
independent and dependent variables. This would give the degree and directions of
relationships between the variables under study.

CHAPTER-4
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter presents the highlights of the results that have emerged out of this
study. The collected data were classified, tabulated and then treated with appropriate
statistical tools to get the results. The results were tabulated and interpreted to trace out
the relationships between the selected variables. The results of the study are presented in
the following sections.
4. 1. Profile of women Self Help Groups
4. 2. Knowledge levels of women Self Help Groups in post harvest and culture
technologies
4. 3. Training needs of women Self Help Groups
4. 4. Relative preference of type, season, duration, venue, method of training and

training group of women Self Help Groups.
4. 1. Profile of Women Self Help Groups
In order to study the profile of women Self Help Groups, 15 variables have been
chosen based on the judges opinion. The composition of women Self Help Groups have
been discussed against each variable selected for the study. The results have been
presented and discussed in this section.
4. 1. 1. Age
Age is one of the most important factor related to the behavioural components
such as gaining knowledge, formation of attitude, pertaining to acquire certain skills, etc.
The data collected from the respondents regarding their age were given in Table 3.
Table-3. Age distribution of the respondents
(n=120)
Sl.No. Category Number Percentage
1. Young (upto 34 years) 67 55.83

2. Middle (34 - 44 years) 46 38.33
3. Old (from 45 years) 07 5.34
120 100.00
It could be seen from the Table 3 more than half (55.83 per cent) of the
respondents were young aged followed by middle (38.33 per cent) and old (5.34 per cent)
aged category. This finding is supported by the findings of Venkatesan (2001) and
Narayanan (2004).
4. 1. 2. Educational Status
Literacy rate of women SHG members might have got significant influence on the
perception towards training needs. The distribution of the respondents based on
educational status was given in Table 4.
Table-4. Educational status of the respondents

(n=120)
1. Illiterate 5 4.17
2. Primary education 54 45.00
3. Middle education 35 29.17
4. Secondary education 19 15.83
5. Collegiate education 7 5.83
120 100.00
It could be observed from the Table 4 that 74.17 per cent of the respondents had
education from primary to middle school followed by secondary education
(15.83 per cent), collegiate education (5.83 per cent). Only 4.17 per cent of the
respondents were illiterate. This finding is in accordance with the findings of Gupta and
Srinath (1992) and Karumalai Kannan (2005).
4. 1. 3. Family status
The family commitment may act as a stumbling block or forwarding for active
participation in SHG activities. The status of family may considerably influence the
training needs of women SHG members. The distributions of the respondents according
to their family status are presented in Table 5.
Table-5. Family status of the respondents

(n=120)
Sl.No. Nature of family Category Number Percentage
1. Family type Joint family 29 24.17
Nuclear family 91 75.83
Total 120 100.00
2. Family size More than 5 29 24.17
Less than 5 91 75.83
Total 120 100.00
3. Marital status Unmarried 5 4.16
Widowed 11 9.17
Married 104 86.67
Total 120 100.00
It can be seen from Table 5 that about three-fourth of the respondents (75.83
per cent) were belonged to nuclear family and the rest of them belonged to joint family.
This distribution might have significantly influenced the size of the family too. Hence, it
was found that most of the families had less than 5 members.
More then 85. per cent of the respondents were married followed by widowed
(9.17 per cent). Only 4.16 per cent of the respondents were unmarried. This finding is
supported by the findings of Shoba (1998) and Sheela (1995) and Karumalai Kannan
(2005).
4. 1. 4. Occupational status
Occupational status creates and or reflects the socio-economic status and well
being of the women SHG members. The data collected regarding the occupation of
respondents were presented in Table 6.
Table-6. Occupational of the respondents

(n=120)
1. Fisheries alone 47 39.16

2. Fisheries and allied activities 52 43.34
3. Others 21 17.50
TOTAL 120 100.00
It could be seen from the Table 6 that 43.34 per cent of the respondents had
fisheries and allied activities (agriculture, diary poultry farming, etc.) as their main
occupation followed by fisheries alone (39.16 per cent). Only few respondents (17.50
per cent) had other occupation such as (petty shop, tailoring, agar batti making, soap
making, etc.) as their main occupation.
4. 1. 5. Experience in SHG
Experience is one of the most important factors that could facilitate women SHG
members to be effective in carrying out any kind of work related to SHG. The
distribution of respondents according to their experience in SHG is shown in Table 7.
Table-7. Experience of the respondents

(n=120)
1. Upto 2 years 52 43.33

2. 2 – 3 years 61 50.83
3. 4 years and above 7 5.84
TOTAL 120 100.00
It could be seen from the Table 7 that about 51 per cent of the respondents had
2-3 years of experience in the SHG activities. About 43 per cent of the women had
2 years of experience in SHG activities. Only 5.84 per cent of them had more than
4 years of experience. This finding is in line with the findings of Sujathkumar (2000) and
Karumalai Kannan (2005).
4. 1. 6. Time spent in SHG
The time spent in the activities of the women SHGs are presented in the Table8.
Table-8. Time spent of the respondents

(n=120)
1. Less than 3 hours 47 39.17

2. 3 – 9 hours 73 60.83
TOTAL 120 100.00
It could be seen from the Table 8 that 60.83 per cent of the respondents spent
3-9 hours per week in the activities of the women SHG and rest of them spent less than
3 hours per week. This result is in line with the findings of MYRADA (2002) and
4. 1. 7. Annual Income
In every economic behaviour, the level of income indicates the standard of living
in the community or society. The annual incomes of the respondents are presented in
Table 9.
Table-9. Annual income of the respondents
(n=120)
Average annual
Sl. No. Category Percentage
income (Rs.)

3. Business 6195 24.99
4. Wages 3449 13.91
TOTAL 24,784 100.00
It could be observed from the Table 9 that the total annual income of the
respondents were Rs. 24,784 out of which Rs. 8,066 was from fisheries alone (32.55
pre cent), Rs. 7074 was from fisheries and allied activities (28.55 per cent) Rs. 6195 from
business (24.99 per cent) and Rs. 3449 from wages (13.91 per cent). It is evident from the
above that majority of annual income were from fisheries and its allied activities. The
present finding is in accordance with the findings of Sundararajan and Renuka (1998).
4. 1. 8. Annual expenditure
In order to assess the annual expenditure of the respondents data were collected
and analysed. The results are presented in Table 10.
Table-10. Annual expenditure of the respondents

(n=120)
Average annual
Sl. No. Category Percentage
expenditure (Rs.)

3. Food items 6208 32.42
4. Clothing 4083 21.32
5. Education 2166 11.30
6. Others 3758 19.62
TOTAL 19152 100.00
It could be seen from the Table 10 that the expenditure on food items and clothing
accounts for Rs.6,208 and Rs.4,083 that constitutes 32.42 per cent and 21.32 per cent of
the total expenditure respectively. The expenditure on other items like agriculture,
fisheries, education and others (Festivals, family tours, medicine etc.) accounted for
Rs.1,387, Rs.1,550, Rs.2,166 and Rs.3,758 which constitutes 7.24, 8.10, 11.30 and 19.62
per cent respectively.
4. 1. 9. Annual Savings
To assess the level of savings generated by the respondents, data were collected
and analysed. The results related to annual savings are presented in Table 11.
Table-11. Annual saving distribution of the respondents

(n=120)
Sl. No. Standard
Category Number Percentage Mean
deviation
1. Low (below 2,635) 24 20.00

2. Medium (2,635 – 5,631) 76 63.40 4,133 1,498
3. High (above 5,631) 20 16.60
Total 120 100.00
It could be observed from the Table 11 that majority (63.40 per cent) of the
respondents had medium level of annual savings followed by low (20.00 per cent) and
high (16.60 per cent) levels respectively. It was seen that women SHG members had
shown improvement in their saving habits after joining the SHG.
4. 1. 10. Economic motivation
The basic urge with every individual is to earn more, irrespective of their
occupation. Such an urge may also prevail among women SHG members, which enable
them to adopt innovative income generating practices. The level of economic motivation
that exists among the respondents are shown in Table 12.

Table-12. Economic motivation of the respondents
(n=120)
Standard
Sl. No. Category Number Percentage Mean
deviation
1. Low (below 16.97) 26 21.66

2. Medium (16.17 – 28.75) 71 59.17 22.86 5.89
3. High (above 28.75) 23 19.17
Total 120 100.00
It could be observed from the Table 12 that majority (59.17 per cent) of the
respondents had medium level of economic motivation followed by low (21.66 per cent)
and high (19.17 per cent) levels respectively. This finding is in line with the findings of
Sujathkumar (2000).
4. 1. 11. Social participation
Participation of SHG women in the formal and non-formal organization like
fisherwomen co-operatives, fisherwomen training centre, ladies clubs, panchayat unions,
adult education groups, church groups and other welfare organisations, provides access to
interact and enhance the relationships with various sections of the people. The
informations related to social participation are presented in Table 13.
Table-13. Social participation of the respondents

(n=120)
Sl. No. Standard
deviation
1. Low (below 1.25) 29 24.16

2. Medium (1.25 – 3.01) 81 67.50 2.13 0.88
3. High (above 3.01) 10 8.34
Total 120 100.00

It is evident from the Table 13 that about 67.00 per cent of the respondents had
medium level of social participation followed by low (24.16 per cent) and high (8.34 per
cent) levels. It is seen the above that social participation by the women SHG was
attributed to more than one organisations / institutions viz. fisherwomen co-operatives,
fisher women training centre, ladies club, panchayat unions and church groups. This
finding is in accordance with the finding of Narayanan (2004).
4. 1. 12. Mass media exposure
Conscious exposure of the women SHG members to mass media like, radio,
television, internet, newspapers, meetings, specific books help to improve the level of
their knowledge and skills. The information related to mass media exposure is presented
in Table 14.
Table-14. Mass media exposure of the respondents

(n=120)
Sl. No. Standard
deviation
1. Low (below 12.30) 31 15.00

2. Medium (12.30 – 19.50) 71 59.16 15.90 3.60
3. High (above 19.50) 18 25.84
Total 120 100.00
It is seen from the Table 14 that about 60.00 per cent of the respondents had
medium level of mass media exposure followed by high (25.84 per cent) and low (15.00
per cent) levels. The findings of Veeraputhiran (2000) supports the present finding.
4. 1. 13. Extension agency contact
To assess the contact of the women SHG members in various extension
organisations, data were collected and analysed. The results are presented in Table 15.
Table-15. Extension agency contact of the respondents
(n=120)
Standard
Sl. No. Level of contact Number Percentage Mean
deviation
1. Low (below 15.17) 29 24.16

2. Medium (15.17 – 22.13) 72 60.00 18.65 3.48
3. High (above 22.13) 19 15.84
Total 120 100.00
It could be observed from the Table 15 that 60 per cent of the respondents had
medium level of contact with the extension agencies followed by low (24.16 per cent)
and high (15.84 per cent) levels.
4. 1. 14. Scientific orientation
To assess the level of scientific orientation of the women SHG member towards
scientific practices, data were collected and analysed. The informations on scientific
orientation are given in Table 16.
Table-16. Scientific orientation of the respondents

(n=120)
Sl. No. Standard
Level of contact Number Percentage Mean
deviation
1. Low (below 15.98) 27 22.50
2. Medium (15.98 – 24.74) 73 60.83 20.36 4.38
3. High (above 24.74) 20 16.67
Total 120 100.00
It could be seen from the Table 16 that majority (60.83 per cent) of the
respondents had medium level of scientific orientation followed by low (22.50 per cent)
and high (16.67 per cent) level of scientific orientation respectively. It could be
concluded that the respondents were oriented towards the use of scientific methods in
post-harvest and culture technologies in fisheries.

4. 1. 15. Decision-making
Decision-making is an important factor that would have a direct bearing on the
symbolic adoption behaviour of the women SHG members in the family and society as a
whole. The data collected with regard to decision-making are analysed and presented in
Table 17.
Table-17. Distribution of respondents based on their decision making

(n=120)
1. Passive 58 48.34
2. Active 18 15.00
3. Dominant 44 36.66
TOTAL 120 100.00
It could be observed from the Table 17 that 48.34 per cent of the respondents
were passive decision-makers followed by dominant (36.66 per cent) and active (15 per
cent) decision-makers. The present finding is in accordance with the findings of
4. 2. Knowledge level of Women Self Help Groups
In order to assess the knowledge level of the respondents, data were collected and
analysed. The results are presented in Table 18.
Table-18. Knowledge level of the respondents

(n=120)
Sl. Standard
No. deviation
1. Low (below 3.47) 27 22.50

2. Medium (3.47 – 8.51) 68 56.67 5.99 2.52
3. High (above 8.51) 25 20.83
Total 120 100.00
Fig. 2. Decision making of the respondents
48.37
50
45
36.66
40
35
percentage
30
25
15.00
20
15
10
5
0
Passive Active Dominant
Fig. 3. Knowledge level of the respondents
56.67
60
50
40
Percentage
30 22.50
20.83
20
10
0
Low Medium High
Knowledge level
It could be seen from the Table 18 that 56.67 per cent of the respondents had
medium level of knowledge on post harvest and culture technologies in fisheries followed
by low (22.50 per cent) and high (20.83 per cent) level of knowledge on post harvest and
culture technologies.
4. 3. Training needs of women Self Help Groups
It could be observed from the Table 19 that more than three-fourth (79.16 per
cent) of the respondents preferred fish / prawn pickle preparation as the most needed area
for undergoing training followed by masala dry fish preparation (65.83 per cent). About
63 per cent of the respondents reported ornamental fish culture, as the most needed
training area. One-third of the respondents have reported lobster fattening as the most
needed training area. About one-fourth (25 per cent) of the respondents have indicated
that crab fattening and masmin preparation as the most needed areas for under going
training. The least, most needed training area of the respondents are live food culture
(12.50 per cent), Integrated fish farming (7.50 per cent), composite fish culture (4.17 per
cent), sea weed culture (4.17 per cent), preparation of fish cutlet (2.50 per cent) and fish
soup powder (1.67 per cent).
About 50 per cent of the respondents have reported that seaweed culture and
lobster fattening are the areas, in which they wanted to undergo training. More than one-
fourth (29.17 per cent) of the respondents have indicated that fish soup powder
preparation, as needed area. Another 29 per cent of the respondents needed training in
the preparation of masala dry fish. More than one-fifth of the respondents informed that
live food culture as the area needed for training. Integrated fish farming (15.38 per cent),
crab fattening (15 per cent), fish / prawn pickle preparation (12.50 per cent), fish cutlet
Table-19. Training needs of women SHG members
(n=120)
Areas where training Most need Needed Not needed Total
Sl. No.
needed Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
1. Fish/Prawn Pickle 95 79.16 15 12.50 10 8.34 120 100.00

2. Masala dryfish 79 65.83 29 24.17 12 10.00 120 100.00
3. Ornamental fish culture 76 63.33 13 10.83 31 25.84 120 100.00
4. Masmin 30 25.00 10 8.33 80 66.67 120 100.00
5. Lobster fattening 40 33.33 60 50.00 20 16.67 120 100.00
6. Crab fattening 32 26.67 18 15.00 70 58.33 120 100.00
7. Live food culture 15 12.50 25 20.83 80 66.67 120 100.00
8. Seaweed culture 05 4.17 61 50.83 54 45.00 120 100.00
9. Fish Soup Powder 02 1.67 35 29.17 83 69.16 120 100.00
10. Fish cutlet 03 2.50 15 12.50 102 85.00 120 100.00
11. Fish wafer 0 0.00 09 7.50 111 92.50 120 100.00
12. Fish manure 0 0.00 07 5.83 113 94.17 120 100.00
13. Composite fish culture 5 4.17 12 10.00 103 85.83 120 100.00
14. Chitosan 0 0.00 04 3.33 116 96.67 120 100.00
15. Integrated fish farming 9 7.50 19 15.83 92 76.67 120 100.00
Percentage
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
79.16 100
Fish / prawn pickle 12.50
8.34
65.83
Masala dry fish 24.17
10.00
63.33
Ornamental fish culture 10.83
25.84
25.00
Masmin 8.33
66.67
33.33
Lobster fattening 50.00
16.67
Needed
26.67
Crab fattening 15.00
Not needed
58.33
Most Needed
12.50
Live food culture 20.83
66.67
4.17
Seaweed culture 50.83
45.00
1.67
Fish soup powder 29.17
69.16
Areas where training needed
2.50
Fish cullet 12.50
85.00
0.00
Fig. 4. Training needs of women Self Help Groups
Fish wafer 7.50

92.50
0.00
Fish manure 5.83
94.17
4.17
Composite fish culture 10.00
85.83
0.00
Chitosan 3.33
96.67
7.50
Integrated fish farming 15.83
76.67
Fig. 5. Cleaning of shrimp for pickle Fig. 6. Fish / prawn pickle prepared by
preparation women SHG members
Fig. 7. Women SHG member packing Fig. 8. Fish soup powder prepared by
fish pickle women SHG members
Fig. 9. Fish cutlet prepared by women Fig. 10. Crab pickle prepared by women
SHG members SHG member
(12.50 per cent) ornamental fish culture (10.83 per cent), composite fish culture (10 per
cent), masmin preparation (8.33 per cent), fish wafer (7.50 per cent), fish manure (5.83
per cent) and chitosan (3.33 per cent) were the least preferred training needed areas by
the respondents.
More than 90 per cent of the respondents have reported that chitosan (96.67
per cent), fish manure (94.17%) and fish wafer (92.50 per cent) were the areas not needed
for under going training. About 85 per cent of the respondents have indicated that the
areas of composite fish culture and fish cutlet are not required for training. More than
three-fourth (76.67%) of the respondents revealed that integrated fish farming is the least
preferred area for training. More than 60 per cent of the respondents have informed that
fish soup powder (69.16 per cent), composite fish culture (66.67 per cent) and masmin
preparation (66.67 per cent) are the least preferred areas for undergoing training. About
58 per cent of the respondents reported that ornamental fish culture area was not needed
for training. More than two-fifth of the respondents (45 per cent) opined that seaweed
culture was not needed area. The least not needed training areas are ornamental fish
culture (25.00 per cent), masala dry fish (10 per cent) and fish / prawn pickle preparation
(8.34 per cent) respectively.
4.3.1. Relationship between the profile of women SHGs with the training
needs
Profile of women self help group members play an important role in determining
the training needs of an individual. Training needs may vary according to the profile of
respondents. In this study 15 variables were selected, analysed and are discussed in a
detailed manner in Table 20.

Table-20. Relationship between profile of women SHGs and training needs
Variable no. Variables Correlation co-efficient

X1 Age -0.3409**
X2 Educational status 0.3711 **
X3 Family status 0.0671 Ns
X4 Occupational status 0.0279 Ns
X5 Experience in SHG 0.0699 Ns
X6 Time spent in SHG -0.1259 Ns
X7 Annual income 0.5158 **
X8 Annual expenditure -0.1447 Ns
X9 Annual savings 0.4678 **
X10 Economic motivation 0.3148 **
X11 Social participation 0.4232 **
X12 Mass media exposure 0.1861 *
X13 Extension agency contact 0.3068 **
X14 Scientific orientation 0.3115 **
X15 Decision making 0.2438 *
** Significant at 1 percent level.

* Significant at 5 percent level
Ns Non-significant
It could be observed from the Table 20 that a positive and significant relationship
was observed between educational status (x2) annual income (x7) annual savings (x9),
economic motivation (x10), social participation (x11), mass media exposure (x12) extension
agency contact (x13), scientific orientation (x14) and decision making (x15) and the
training needs. This finding is supported by Narayanan (2004), Karumalai Kannan
(2005), Sujathkumar (2000) and Veeraputhiran (2000).
Age (x1) was found to have negative and significant relationship with the training
needs in the case of women SHG members. Normally, as age increases the women SHG
members may not actively participate in training programmes because of poor retention
capacity.
This might be the reason, the age and training needs were negatively related. The
present finding is in accordance with the findings of Chandraseakaran (1981) Arumugam

(1983), Narayanan (2004) who identified a negative and significant relationship between
age and training needs.
A positive and non-significant relationship was observed between family status
(x3), occupational status (x4) and Experience in SHG (x5) and the Training needs.
The time spent in SHG (x6), and Annual expenditure (x8) had a negative and non-
significant relationship with the Training needs.
4. 4. Relative preference of type, season, duration, venue, method of training

and training group of Women Self Help Groups
After locating the major training areas, an attempt was made to find out suitable
type, season, duration, venue, method of training and training group of women Self Help
Groups. Before organizing any training programme for women Self Help Groups these
factors have to be taken into consideration to ensure active participation by the women
Self Help Groups. These factors are discussed in detailed as follows.
4. 4. 1. Type of training
Training occupies a pivotal position in enriching the knowledge and self-
confidence among the women SHG members. The data collected were analysed and
results are presented in Table 21.
Table-21. Type of training preferred by the respondents

(n=120)
Sl. No. Type of training Number Percentage
1. Off-campus 85 70.83
2. On-campus 35 29.17
TOTAL 120 100.00

Fig. 11. Distribution of respondents based on their training needs with reference to type, season and duration
It could be seen from Table 21 that about 70.83 per cent of the respondents
preferred to have off-campus training and 29.17 per cent preferred to have on-campus
training. The present finding is in accordance with the findings of Veeraputhiran (1988).
4. 4. 2. Season of training
In order to know the season preferred by the respondents, data were collected and
analysed. The results are presented in Table 22.
Table-22. Season of training preferred by the respondents

(n=120)
Sl.No. Season of training Number Percentage
1. January – March 15 12.50

2. April – May 65 54.16
3. May – July 19 15.84
4. October – December 21 17.50
TOTAL 120 100.00
It could be observed from Table 22 that more than 50 per cent of the respondents
preferred to undergo training during the months of April to May followed by October-
December (17.50 per cent), May-July (15.84 per cent) and January-March (12.50 per
cent). Majority of the respondents preferred April-May due to the vacation for the school
going children. This is in line with the findings of Kiron (1992).
4. 4. 3. Duration of training
To know the duration of training preferred by the respondents, data were collected

Fig. 12. Women self help group members Fig. 13. Women SHG members attending
training classes
Fig. 14. Lobster collected for fattening by

women SHG members
Fig. 15. Farm visit by the women SHG Fig. 16. Net cleaning by women SHG
members members on shore
Table-23. Duration of training preferred by the respondents
(n=120)
Sl.No. Number of days Number Percentage
1. 2 –3 days 16 13.33
2. 5 days 27 22.50
3. 7 days 63 52.50
4. 15 days 14 11.67
TOTAL 120 100.00
It is evident from Table 23 that more than half (52.50 per cent) of the respondents
preferred to undergo training for about 7 days. About one-fourth of the respondents
preferred 5 days training period. About 13.33 per cent of the respondents preferred a
duration of about 2-3 days and very few (11.67 per cent) preferred to undergo training for
about 15 days. This result is in line with the findings of Kiron (1992).
4. 4. 4. Venue of training
To assess the venue of training preferred by the respondents, data were collected
Table-24. Venue of training preferred by the respondents

(n=120)
Sl.No. Venue of training Number Percentage
1. Own Village 86 71.66

2. College/Farm Center 27 22.50
3. Panchayat Union 7 5.84
TOTAL 120 100.00
It could be observed from Table 24 that 71.66 per cent of the respondents
preferred their own village as suitable venue for conducting training followed by 22.50
per cent of the respondents preferred college / farm centre as suitable venue. Only 5.84
per cent of the respondents preferred panchayat union as suitable venue for conducting
training. This finding is supported by the findings of Veeraputhiran (1988).

Fig. 17. Distribution of respondents based on their training needs with reference to venue, method of
training and group of training
4. 4. 5. Method of training
To know the method of training preferred by the respondents, data were collected
Table-25. Methods of training preferred by the respondents

(n=120)
Sl.No. Methods of training Number Percentage
1. Demonstration 63 52.50
2. Group discussion 42 35.00
3. Field trips / Study Hours 8 6.67
4. Lecture 7 5.83
TOTAL 120 100.00
It could be seen from Table 25 that about 52.50 per cent of the respondents
preferred demonstration as a suitable method for undergoing training. About 35.00
per cent preferred group discussion as suitable method, 6.67 per cent preferred field
trips / study tour and only 5.83 per cent preferred lecture as suitable method of
undergoing training. This finding is in line with the findings of Veeraputhiran (1988).
4. 4. 6. Training group
In order to know the preference of training group of the respondents, data were
collected and analysd. The results are presented in Table 26.
Table-26. Training group preferred the respondents

(n=120)
Sl.No. Training group Number Percentage
1. Upto 15 members 29 24.17

2. 16 – 20 members 72 60.00
3. 21 – 30 members 12 10.00
4. 31 – 40 members 7 5.83
TOTAL 120 100.00
It is evident from Table 26 that about 60 per cent of the respondents preferred
16-20 members as a suitable size for undergoing training. About one-fourth of the
respondents preferred 15 members as suitable size for training, 10
per cent of the respondents preferred about 21-30 members as suitable size for training
and only 5.83 per cent of the respondents preferred 31-40 members as suitable size for
undergoing training.
CHAPTER- 5
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The position of women in Indian society from very ancient time was
subordinate, inglorious, inferior and unequal to their male counterparts. The status of
women in independent India, occupies an important role and all efforts are being
made to establish the significant place that she can play in the upliftment of herself
and the society as a whole. Rural women in India suffered from being both
economically and socially by invisible cause.
Women have been found to play an active role in post-harvest and culture
technologies. Lack of awareness and knowledge regarding technical know-how and
do-how has been observed as one of the important reasons. To ensure that the women
SHG members adopt latest methods, it is necessary that they must be trained in
improved methods of post-harvest and culture technologies in fisheries. In the present
days, training of women SHG members become inevitable as the greatest educational
effort. The purpose of training programmes is to keep the women SHG members
abreast of latest techniques in post-harvest and culture technologies. Further to make
the training more useful and purposeful, they must be trained in various areas of post-
harvest and culture technologies. Keeping the above aspects in mind, this study on the
training needs of women SHG members was attempted with the following objectives.
1) To study the profile of women Self Help Groups.
2) To measure the knowledge level of women Self Help Groups in post-

harvest and culture technologies.
3) To identify the training needs of women Self Help Groups.
4) To assess the relative preference of type, season, duration, venue,

method of training and training group of women Self Help Groups.
The study was undertaken in two districts of Tamilnadu viz. Thoothukudi and
Tirunelveli. To carryout the survey, three blocks were selected randomly from each
district namely Alwarthirunagari, Thoothukudi and Ottapidaram from Thoothukudi
district and Ambasamudram, Palayamkottai and Valliyoor from Tirunelveli district. A
sample of 120 women SHG members (president / secretary) were selected for the
study using random sampling techniques.
The independent variables selected for the study were, Age (X1), Educational
status (X2), Family status (X3), Occupational status (X4), Experience in SHG (X5),
Time spent in SHG (X6), Annual income (X7), Annual expenditure (X8), Annual
savings (X9), Economic motivation (X10), Social participation (X11), Mass media
exposure (X12), Extension agency contact (X13), Scientific Orientation (X14), and
Decision making (X15) and training needs as dependent variable (Y1)
A well-structured and pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect data
by personal interview. Suitable statistical tools like percentage analysis, mean and
standard deviation and correlation co-efficient were used to analyse the data. The
salient findings are summarised below in accordance with the objectives set forth.
5. 1. Profile of women self help groups
1. Age: About 60 per-cent of the respondents fell under young age category, followed
by 38.33 per cent were middle aged and only 5.34 per cent were old aged.
2. Educational status: The overwhelming majority (90 per cent) of the respondents
were educated from primary to secondary level education.
3. Family Status: More than three-fourth (75.83 per cent) of the respondents
belonged to nuclear family type and 86.67 per cent of the respondents were married.
4. Occupational status: About 82 per cent of the respondents were engaged in
fisheries and its allied activities and among then 50 per cent of the respondents were
engaged in fisheries alone.
5. Experience in SHG: About 50 per cent of the respondents had 2-3 years of
experience, followed by upto 2 year (43.33 percent) and more than 4 year (5.84
per cent).
6. Time spent in SHG: About 60 per cent of the respondents spent 3-9 hours in SHG
activities and 39.17 per cent spent less than 3 hours.
7. Annual income: About 61 per cent of respondent had fisheries and its allied
activities as major source of their annual income followed by business 24.99 per cent.
8. Annual expenditure: About 65 per cent of respondents spent on food items,
clothing and education, followed by others (19.62 per cent).
9. Annual Savings: About (63 per cent) of the respondents had medium level of
annual savings, followed by low (20 per cent) and high (16.60 per cent) level.
10. Economic motivation: More than 50 per cent of the respondents had possessed
medium level of economic motivation, followed by low level (21.66 per cent) and
high level (19.19 per cent).
11. Social participation: Vast majority (91.66 per cent) of the respondents had low to
medium level of social participation.
12. Mass media exposure: Majority (85 per cent) of the respondents fell under
medium to high level of mass media exposure and low (15 per cent)
13. Extension agency contact: Majority (84.16 per cent) of the respondents had low
to medium level of extension agency contact and high (15.84 per cent) level.
14. Scientific orientation: Majority (83.33 per cent) of the women SHG members
had low to medium level of scientific orientation and high (16.67 per cent).
15. Decision making: Nearly half (48.34 per cent) of the respondents had passive type of
decision making followed by dominant (36.66 per cent) and active (15 per
cent).
5. 2. Knowledge level of women SHG members

There was significant difference in the knowledge level of women SHG
members. More than half (56.67 per cent) of the women SHG members possessed
medium level of knowledge. About one - sixth of the women SHG members
(22.50 per cent) had low level of knowledge. Remaining 20.83 per cent of the total
women SHG members had high level of knowledge.
5. 3. Identification of training needs of women SHG members
Out of 15 training areas, the most needed training areas for the respondents
were fish / prawn pickle, masala dry fish, ornamental fish culture, lobster fattening,
crab fattening, masmin, live food culture, integrated fish farming seaweed culture and
composite fish culture, fish cutlet, fish soup powder and fish wafer, fish manure and
chitosan.
The respondents have opined that the training areas of secondary importance
were seaweed culture, lobster fattening, fish soup powder, masala dryfish, live food
culture, integrated fish farming, crabs fattening, fish / prawn pickle and fish cutlet,
ornamental fish culture, composite fish culture, masmin, fish wafer, fish manure and
chitosan.
The training areas of least importance of the respondents were, chitosan, fish
manure, fish wafer, composite fish culture, fish cutlet, integrated fish farming, fish
soup powder, live food culture and masmim, crab fattening, seaweed culture, lobster
fattening, masala dry fish, fish / prawn pickle.
5. 3. 1. Relationship between the profile of women SHG with the training needs
Out of 15 variables, 9 variables viz. age, annual income, annual savings,
economic motivation, social participation, mass media exposure, extension agency
contact, scientific orientation and decision making were found to have significant
relationship with the Training needs of women SHG.
Age was found to have negatively significant with the training needs of
SHG.
The variable like, family status, occupational status, and experience in
SHG were found to positive and non significant relationship with the training
needs.
A negative and non significant relationship was observed between time
spent and annual expenditure and the training needs of women SHG.
5. 4. Relative preference of type, Season, Duration, Venue, Method of training

and Training group of women SHG members
1. Type: Majority (70.83 per cent) of the respondents preferred Off-campus training.
2. Season: Four distinctive seasons, January-March, April-May, May-July and
October - December. The most preferred training season by the respondents was
April-May.
3. Duration: More than (50 per cent) of the respondents preferred to have 7 days of
training, followed by 5 days (22.50 per cent) and 2-3 days (13.33 per cent) very few
(11.67 per cent) of the respondents preferred more than 15 days of training.
4. Venue: Majority (71.66 per cent) of the respondents preferred their own village as
the suitable venue of training, followed by college / farm centre (22.50 per cent) and
panchayat union (5.84 per cent).

5. Method of training: Majority (87.50 per cent) of the respondents preferred
demonstration and group discussion as suitable method of training.
6. Group of training: More than (50 per cent) of the respondents preferred upto
16-20 members as suitable training group followed by 15 members (24.17 per cent),
21-30 members (10 per cent) and 31-40 members (5.83 per cent) respectively.
5. 5. Problems in the development of women SHG members
1) The linkage between Fisheries Extension personnel and women SHG is weak.
2) To make women SHG aware and gain knowledge, the facility available to them
from Governmental and Non-Governmental agencies are limited.
3) The need for the preparation of project profiles for the different fishery enterprises
producers was immensely felt.
4) The need for technical guidance at various stages was felt by many emerging
entrepreneurs.
5) The vital link in the process of entrepreneurial development was observed in
marketing and focus on these was found to be inadequate.
5. 6. Strategies for the development of women SHG members
Based on the present study, the following essential areas were identified for
evolving a training strategy for the future.
1) The linkage between fisheries extension personnel and women SHG must be
strengthened.
2) Women fisheries extension workers may be preferred for the development of
women SHGs.
3) Financial support by the Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations
may be made available adequately in time to women SHG members.

Fig. 18. Empirical model showing training needs
Fish soup powder Fish / prawn pickle
Fish cutlet Masala dry

fish
Composite Ornamental
fish culture Type : Off-Campus fish culture
Season : Apr-May
Duration: 7 Days
Venue : Own village
Method : Demonstration
Group : 16-20 members
Seaweed
Lobster
culture fattening
Integrated Crab
fish farming fattening
Live food culture Masmin

4) Project profiles may be prepared and provided to the agencies which can extend
support for establishing farms / small-scale industries for women SHGs.
5) Technical guidance in all the stages of fisheries enterprises must be provided.
6) Arrangements may be made to ensure marketing of fish and fishery products on a
sustainable basis.
5. 7. Areas for future research
1) The study was conducted in a limited scale confining to particular physical and
socio-cultural conditions. With a view to generalise the findings in a larger
context, it may be necessary to repeat this study under varying socio-cultural
environment.
2) What was aimed in the study was to come out with a list of subject matter areas in
which women SHG members needed training. It would be also worthwhile to
analyse their training needs in terms of women SHG members knowledge, skill
and attitude which would be still more relevant and useful in deriving an effective
training programme.
3) Research may also be undertaken to identify the criteria for use in the selection of
women SHG members for the various training programmes. These criteria would
be much useful to the trainers in selecting the women SHG members who actually
need training in fisheries technologies.
To conclude, women SHG members need training in fishery technologies. If
trainings are organised, there is vast scope to improve the status of various fishery
technologies and the standard of living of the entrepreneurs involved in this sector.
CHAPTER-6
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IDENTIFICATION OF TRAINING NEEDS OF WOMEN

SELF HELP GROUPS OF SOUTHERN COASTAL

Thesis submitted in part fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of

MD. ALI HASSAN, B.F.Sc.

DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES EXTENSION

This is to certify that the thesis entitled, “Identification of training needs of

Science in Fisheries Extension to the Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences

University, Chennai is a record of bonafide research work carried out by Md.

CHAIRMAN : Dr. K. VEERABHADRAN

MEMBERS : 1. Dr. N. V. SUJATHKUMAR

I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude and indebtedness to my

Chairman Dr. K. Veerabhadran, Assistant Professor (SS), Department of Fisheries

Extension, for his invaluable guidance, constant support and encouragement.

I am very much grateful to the Advisory Committee Members,

Dr. N. V. Sujathkumar, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Fisheries

Extension and Dr. R. Senthilathiban, Associate Professor and Head, Department of

the period of study.

I am extremely thankful to Dr. R. Santhanam, Dean, Fisheries College and

during the period of study.

I owe my sincere thanks to Dr. R. Santhakumar, Assistant Professor (SS)

Department of Fisheries Extension and Dr. R. Jayaraman, Associate Professor,

during the entire period of study.

I thank Mr. M. Jeyaraj, Fisheries Assistant, Mr. P. Moorthy and Mr. R.

P. Balaji for their help during the course of the study.

I gratefully acknowledge the moral support and continuos encouragement from

Md. Ali Hassan

2.1. Profile of women Self Help Groups 5

2.2. Knowledge level of women Self Help Groups in post

2.3. Identification of training needs of women Self Help Groups 14

2.4. Relative preference of type, season, duration, venue,

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 16

3.1. Selection of study area 16

3.2. Description of study area 16

3.3. Selection of respondents 19

3.4. Measurement of variables and operationalisation of

3.5. Method of data collection 30

3.6. Statistical tools used 31

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 32

4.1. Profile of women Self Help Groups 32

4.2. Knowledge level of women Self Help Groups in post

4.3. Training needs of women Self Help Groups 44

4.4. Relationship between the profile of women SHG

4.5. Relative preference of type, season, duration, venue,

5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 58

5.1. Profile of women SHGs 59

5.2. Knowledge level of women SHGS 61

5.3. Identification of training needs of women SHGs 61

5.4. Relationship between the profile of women SHG

5.5. Relative preference of type, season, duration, venue,

5.6. Problems in the development of SHGs 63

5.7. Strategies for the development of women SHGs 63

5.8. Areas for future research 65

1. List of blocks selected with its women SHG population and

2. Independent / dependent variables and their empirical

3. Age distribution of the respondents 33

4. Educational status of the respondents 33

5. Family status of the respondents 34

6. Occupational status of the respondents 35

7. Experience of the respondents 35

8. Time spent of the respondents 36

9. Annual income of the respondents 37

10. Annual expenditure of the respondents 37

11. Annual savings of the respondents 38