Growers' opinions about the determinants of Participation in Self-Help Group (SHG) in Gharbia Governorate, Arab Republic of Egypt

Authors

  • Engy K. Faied Agricultural Extension & Rural Development Research Institute (AERDRI), Agricultural Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Amany S. Elkholy Agricultural Extension & Rural Development Research Institute (AERDRI), Agricultural Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.

Keywords:

willingness, participation, self-help groups (SHGs), opinions

Abstract

Background: Forming self-help groups (SHGs) can aid impoverished farmers in coping with climaterelated shocks and implementing risk management strategies. This research attempts to identify growers' opinions on SHG determinants in Gharbia Governorate, Arab Republic of Egypt. This main objective was achieved by investigating a number of related sub-objectives, including identifying the
degree of growers' willingness to form SHG, identifying the significant relationships between socioeconomic variables and the growers' willingness to participate in SHG, finding a set of independent variables that significantly influence the dependent variable. In addition, identifying the respondents' opinions on the significance of SHG participation. Finally, the study aims to determine the  respondents' opinions on the obstacles facing forming SHGs in the studied area. Methodology: This  study was conducted on a random sample of 98 growers in Mahlet Marhoum Village, Tanta District, Al- Garbiyah Governorate, Egypt; data were collected using a pretested questionnaire via a personal interview during August 2022. Data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative statistical tools: Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviation, and correlation coefficient. Results: The main findings revealed that the majority of respondents had a high and medium degree of willingness to form SHGs, 51% of respondents are in the high rating category of the degree of willingness to form SHGs, and 38.8% are in the medium rating category. A significant positive relationship was also revealed between the independent variables, including the number of education years and attitude towards agricultural extension, and the willingness to participate in SHG at 0.01 and 0.05 levels of significance, respectively. In addition, 90.8% of the respondents have selected reducing production as a primary aspect of the importance of participation in SHG, and 88.8% of the respondents anticipated that the disparity in economic status among farmers would be the most significant barrier to the formation of
SHGs. Conclusions: According to the results, it can be concluded that the small farmers have a strong willingness to form SHGs due to their awareness of the importance of SHG participation, indicating that it is essential to enhance the role of government and NGOs institutions in forming SHGs. 

Published

30.10.2022