Cost Efficiency, Market Linkages and Financial Sustainability of Handicrafts Made by Women in SHGs

The book investigates into granular aspects of costs, prices, revenues and profits of handicrafts made by women belonging to Self Help Groups. The book brings out whether the products produced by the SHGs working under the clusters are viable in terms of surplus generated through excess of revenue over costs and generation of revenue through hassle-free marketing of the products. The book makes an in-depth enquiry into the marketing mechanisms and avenues of handicrafts and the difficulties in marketing faced by women entrepreneurs of SHGs The book also explores the process of making Shitalpati, Bamboo, Jute and Shola Pith handicrafts and the average time requirement of such including products. In addition the book explores the problem of women in SHGs in sourcing of materials, capital and financing, selection of the suitable economic activity, determining the costs of the products with accuracy, adoption of cost control and cost reduction techniques, marketing and research strategy, fixing the prices of products, packaging of products, dealing with e-marketing platforms and e-payment mechanism and skill development and training, The book can be used by students and scholars in Commerce, Rural Management, Economics and Management studies, artisans and self-help group (SHG) members, NGOs and Development Practitioners government agencies and Policymakers, entrepreneurs and startups in handicrafts, marketing professionals, e-commerce platforms and financial institutions and microfinance providers who can help to assess viability of handicraft enterprises . This book will be useful not just for producers, but for the entire ecosystem of handicrafts, from grassroots artisans to policymakers and domestic and global marketers.

Dr. Prabir Tarafder is an Assistant Professor of Commerce at Cooch Behar College, West Bengal. He holds a Ph.D. in Commerce from the University of North Bengal. He earned his M.Com in Accounting and Finance with First Class and was awarded the Silver Medal for securing second position. He began his academic career in 2014 and has been serving as an Assistant Professor since 2016. Dr. Tarafder has published several research papers in reputed journals, including UGC –CARE listed journals and has contributed a scholarly book chapter with a reputed publishing house. He has presented his research papers at several national and international seminars and conferences. His research interests include women micro-entrepreneurship, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and rural development through financial inclusion.

Prof. Samirendra Nath Dhar (b.1961), M.Com, MBA (Finance), Ph.D is the senior-most professor and head in the Department of Commerce, North Bengal University, having more than 40 years of teaching and research experience. He was a gold medallist in both B.Com and M.Com examinations. His areas of expertise include financial inclusion and literacy, microfinance and direct taxation. He has authored nine books and more than 75 articles in national and international journals. He has attended and chaired sessions in more than 300 national and international conferences and delivered lectures as resource person in more than 200 UGC refresher, orientation and faculty improvement programmes. He has acted as chairperson and coordinator in several NAAC visits to universities and colleges. He is the chief-editor of Anweshan- Journal of Business Research and associate editor of Indian Accounting Review. He has lent his expertise to bodies such as Union Public Service Commission and various state public service commissions.