An Overview of SHGs and their Contributions to Improved Food Security
Entz et al. (2016) reviewed both academic and grey literature to determine that Self Help Groups/Savings Groups had a net positive impact on food security. Out of 18 reports reviewed, 17 showed some improvement in household food consumption, reduction in lean months, increase in meals per day, increased diversity in diet, reduction in “suffering” due to food insecurity or increases in food security indices. Groups varied greatly by context, but positive increases were generally attributed to profits from IGAs, income smoothing from group participation and enhanced resilience due to increased assets such as livestock. There were positive impacts on the sustainability, productivity, equitability and resilience of the foodscapes in SHG/SG project areas.