Article’s

Women entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in improving rural livelihoods and promoting inclusive economic growth. In Tamil Nadu, Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Societies (PACCS) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have emerged as critical institutional mechanisms for supporting women’s economic activities. This study examines PACCS’s contribution to women’s entrepreneurship through SHGs in Tamil Nadu. The study is based on secondary data collected from Tamil Nadu Government Annual Reports and relevant cooperative and development literature. The analysis highlights PACCS’s role in providing timely, affordable credit, strengthening SHG linkages, and supporting income-generating activities among women members. The study also compares different operational approaches adopted by PACCS, namely the Target Approach and the Umbrella Approach, and assesses their impact on women’s entrepreneurial development. The findings indicate that while credit support has expanded significantly over the years, approaches that combine financial assistance with guidance, training, and institutional support are more effective in promoting sustainable women’s enterprises. Overall, the PACCS–SHG linkage contributes positively to financial inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, and rural development in Tamil Nadu.