Factors determining participation of women in microfinance programme in
Tamil Nadu have been identified following the multi-stage purposive and
random sampling technique and selecting Coimbatore and
Ramanathapuram districts for the study. It has been observed that socially
backward, landless and marginal farm households participate more in this
programme. Possession of livestock and consumer goods by the member
households has been found to deter the joining of group. However, the
number of households having informal borrowings, especially from
moneylenders has been recorded to be higher among the members before
joining the group. Analysis of determinants of women’s participation in
microfinance programme using probit model has revealed that the age of
women and value of productive assets other than land have a significant
negative influence on their participation. However, social backwardness,
indebtedness and presence of other microcredit programmes in the same
or nearby villages have a significant positive influence on women’s
participation in this programme