Seeds of Change: How NABARD’s SHGs Sparked A Revolution Transforming Rural India Forever:
In the early 1980s, while urban India was transforming, rural communities faced stagnation. Farmers and local communities struggled with limited access to credit, while cooperative societies and nationalised banks failed to meet the needs of rural areas.
Recognising the urgent need for a new approach, NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) laid the foundation for a revolutionary initiative: Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
What began with the formation of Credit Management Groups (CMGs) and an action research project eventually evolved into the SHG movement.
These small groups of rural men and women united to form a strong, self-sustaining support system that revitalised local economies, enabling financial independence and social empowerment.
In 1991, an RBI circular legitimised SHGs, setting the stage for a new dawn in rural finance.
Join us to see how these grassroots initiatives have empowered communities across India, reshaping the rural landscape forever.
The story of SHGs is one of resilience, vision, and lasting change.