Perception of constraint at different developmental stages of Common Interest Group by stakeholders in Rajasthan, India

The government of Rajasthan (India) had focused on community group approaches in project of “District Poverty Initiative Project (DPIP)”. The relevance of Common Interest Group (CIG) comes in this context. The study was planned in 3 district and total of 18 CIGs, six from each district involved in dairy farming were selected. All the 250 members of selected CIGs were taken as respondents and data was collected by using structured interview schedule. The constraint that CIG members faced in the group formation stages includes is sceptic about success of the sub project and lack of information about schemes well-on time as perceived by 94.40 and 91.60 per cent of the members. In group stabilization stage the members depicted that Hurdles from DPIP officials in sanctioning grants (86.40%), constant lack of involvement of members in training (85.20%) and lack of timely availability of dairy inputs and services (81.60%) were ranked high by the members. The respondents perceived ‘lack of training opportunities for effective and smooth functioning, feeling of superiority complex among higher caste people (84.80%), ambiguity in terms of leadership roles (74.40%) and delay in repayment of loans by CIG members were also important constraints at functioning stage. The CIG had helped to improve the assets, mutual cooperation among members and increased awareness about the scheme.