Effectiveness of Low-cost Communication Package on Enhancing Awareness on Entrepreneurial Skills of Women under Self-help Groups in Uttarakhand

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of designed low-cost communication package on enhancing awareness on entrepreneurial skills of women in self-help groups (SHGs). The study was carried out in Hawalbagh block of Almora district of Uttarakhand considering the entrepreneurial activities and availability of active and functional SHGs under various government organisations and NGOs. All the 80 members of 6 women SHGs under 2 villages, namely village Bakh and village Sar ki ali constituted sample for the present investigation. Interview schedule was used for data collection, and knowledge test was developed for measuring gain in knowledge of the respondents. The findings on the effect of low-cost communication package in terms of gain in knowledge showed that majority of respondents (56.25 per cent) gained medium level of knowledge. The social–economic variables age, caste, marital status, family type and family size were negatively and non-significantly correlated with gain in knowledge. Landholdings, annual income and occupation were positively but non-significantly correlated with gain in knowledge. Education was positively and significantly correlated with gain in knowledge. Among the communication characteristics, mass media exposure, information-seeking behaviour and social participation were positively and significantly related with gain in knowledge.