ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 … Report 2013...ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 3 FROM THE DESK OF SECRETARY OF SEEDS, NAMAKKAL–.. At the outset, I …

ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014

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FROM THE DESK OF SECRETARY OF SEEDS, NAMAKKAL�.. At the outset, I wish to all our donors, grassroots groups,

Farmers groups office bearers, local leaders, traditional

panchayat leaders and elected leaders of civic councils,

Government officials, like minded NGOs, Advisory board

members, Individual supporters and our dedicated and

experienced staffs, our member of the organization for their

keen interest and co-operation in the success of SEEDS in

the year 2013-2014.

It is not an another year to pass by, it is a year of importance

and remember able one to all of us in SEEDS, though it is challenging than any other year in

our 2 decades of service to the poor and needy household in this part of the world since our

formation.

During the year 2013-2014, SEEDS succeeded in reaching tribal and rural needy households

through different development interventions, viz, environment and animal bio-diversity

conservation, Health & Hygienic, water and sanitation, economic empowerment through

family farming practices, strengthening of small and marginal know how, skills and capacity

building support activities to their sustainable organic agricultural practices. We know our

tasks and people�s needs are ever expanding and widening that require huge resources and

sustained presence of NGOs like SEEDS admits grassroots.

With thanks and best wishes,

A. RAMACHANDRAN SECRETARY / DIRECTOR


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�Towards an equitable and self sustainable society�

VISION SEEDS envision a society where

people live in harmony and peace with fellow human beings and the

nature. MISION

Enabling grass root communities to achieve holistic development

through participatory and sustainable development

interventions.

Women and

Gender development

Women and

child development

Education to

the Girl children

Livelihood

development

Seed land for sustainable

development

Health

& Hygiene

Water and Sanitation

Environment and natural

resource management

Strengthening

CBOs


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AANNNNUUAALL RREEPPOORRTT 22001133--22001144

INTRODUCTION:

Brief History of the Organization

Socio- Economic and Educational

Development Society, is a voluntary, non-profit

NGO based at Madurai, Southern Tamil Nadu,

and India. It was founded by Thiru.A.

Ramachandran, a renowned Social activist and

development agent with a group of likeminded

social workers with various professional

backgrounds in the year 1994. SEEDS foster

empowerment of vulnerable communities

through sustainable development pathways

and strongly believe that empowering

downtrodden segment of the society in Socio-

economic and environmental management is

vital for sustainable development in rural India.

This organization currently operates in

Namakkal,Madurai and Nagapattinam District,

Tamil Nadu, India. Present Concentration on

SEEDS are on keen focus of promotion of

organic and traditional agriculture towards

agro-biodiversity and climate change, abolition

of child & school drop-outs among tribals of

Kolli-hills, promotion of Eco-Friendly

enterprises among tribal and rural women of

Namakkal and Madurai District.

Vision:

SEEDS envision a society where people live in

harmony and peace with fellow human beings

and the nature.

Mission:

Enabling grass root communities to achieve

holistic development through participatory and

sustainable development interventions

Goals & Objectives

Conservation of Natural resources and

associated environment through

community based Interventions

Reviving the traditional knowledge and

conventional technologies to foster

sustainable development.

Building capabilities of marginalized

communities to enhance their Social,

Economic and Educational status.

Establishing Institutions for community

based training, research and

documentation related to development.

To undertake any other meaningful and

need based project interventions

contributive towards the attainment of the

above-mentioned objectives

The year 2013-14 focus more on research and development activities, the area where the organization

focus of future invention for holistic development of downtrodden communities. SEEDS is on the

process of accessing the grass-root situation through its relevant studies among small and marginal

farmers, Malayali Tribals of Kolli Hills , Promotion of SIDDHA Medicine in Tamilnadu along with regular

main stream activities of child and women development. This report covers the main stream activities

for the financial year ending March 31st 2014 In brief and in relevance to main activities and projects.


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TRADE RELATED ENTREPRENEURSHIP

PROGRAME FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

(TREAD SCHEME)

There were 3 trainings organized for the benefit

of 150 women. Of them, 50 rural poor women

got training in appalam making, 50 poor women

got Masala powder making and 50 women got

training on dry vegetable making programmes.

And extension of credit linkage for the trained

women members in linkage with Canara bank,

Thirumangalam, Madurai. SEEDS during the

year 2013-2014 trained and the member on the

following services on various designs,

Ingredients, locally available and applicable

food, Packing, preservation and marketing tie-

ups at the SEEDS premises. They learnt the

ways and means of processing and marketing.

It was Resulted with the sales promotion of

appalam, dry vegetables and masala powder

products in many remote villages.

HEALTH & HYGIENE, WATER AND

SANITATION PROGRAMME

5 training programmes were conducted in different villages in kolli hills. With the active and meaningful participation of 200 women from SHGs, the women members have been trained in water and sanitation, the water borne disease and infections, Eco-San Toilets, harmful of open air urination and open defecation in our SEEDS office premises. As the result of training programme among 200 women 10 women members, they are willing to construct the ECOSAN toilet models in their house premises and as well as the environmental sanitation impact were taught by training for 50 women. They took oath to create open toilet free villages. A new culture has been developed in our area. One of such impact that green plants are presented as a gift during the family festival celebrations.

ENVIRONMENT AND NURSERY

PROGRAMME

The uneven monsoons and frequent failure of

rain in our target areas has left these rain-fed

communities in pathetic situation. To combat

this rampant situation SEEDS has initiated two

training programmes to small and marginal

women farmers to change the existing

agricultural crop pattern and soil test in our

target area. To stop migration and to equip

their lands SEEDS introduced crop rotation,

alley cropping, inter cropping and bund

cropping patterns and we have also introduced

crops which less water intensified. At the result

12 women farmers have adopted the Integrated

farming practices.

With the objective of encourage the community

nursery and tree plantation and revive

disappearing plants, self help group of 12

women maintained nursery. The SHG women

promoted the horticulture nursery like fruits

based saplings, Herbal based saplings and

Vegetables based saplings and sale of them

through personal visit to farmers club, women

groups, schools and colleges and informed

about the availability of nursery for purchase.

With the help of the Nursery, 20 women

members of SHGs raised up Family Nutrition

garden in back yards of their habitation. It

helped them to get fresh vegetable so that they

could save the hand out money, improves their

small savings and improving their health status

by the nutritious organic vegetables that are

available in their own garden.


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AWARENESS PROGRAMME TO WOMEN

AND CHILDREN

Health and Hygiene is important to pregnant

mother, lactating mother and child. So SEEDS

organized 6 Public awareness programes

conducted in different villages in Namakkal

areas on health and nutrients aspects. And 4

training programs were conducted on health

and malnutrition programs and totally 2000

people participated in awareness programme

and 220 women participated in training

programmes. The result of the programmes

that people were aware of health and nutrients

and child cares. And pregnant mothers took

regular check up for antenatal and postnatal

care in Govt. PHCs and SEEDS health care

and community care centers.

Health and Hygiene is important to pregnant

mother, lactating mother and child. So SEEDS

organized 6 Public awareness programes

conducted in different villages in Namakkal

areas on health and nutrients aspects. And 4

training programs were conducted on health

and malnutrition programs and totally 2000

people participated in awareness programme

and 220 women participated in training

programmes. The result of the programmes

that people were aware of health and nutrients

and child cares. And pregnant mothers took

regular check up for antenatal and postnatal

care in Govt. PHCs and SEEDS health care

and community care centers.

WOMEN AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES

AND FARM MACHINERY FOR REDUCTION

OF WOMEN DRUDGERY IN FAMILY

FARMING.

The IYFF aims to raise the profile of family

farming and small holder farming by focusing

world attention on its important role in

alleviating hunger and poverty, providing food

security and nutrition, improving livelihoods,

managing natural resources, protecting the

environment, and allowing a sustainable

development, in particular in rural areas. In this

context, rampant situation SEEDS has initiated

the training programe to women family farmers

on Integrated farm management, like animal

husbandry, fisheries, bee keeping, mushroom

culture, vermi compost preparation and

vegetable cultivation through organic practices

for 50 women farmers. As a result of which 20

women have started IFS related eco

enterprises in 2 villages from the support of

Canara bank, Thirumangalam.

AGRICULTURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate Change is being recognized as a major

threat to present day society because of its

adverse impacts on ecosystem, agricultural

productivity, water resources, socio-economy

and sustainability in a global as well as regional

basis, it was recognized that there are

ANNUAL REPORT 2013-201

important science issues that need to be

addressed, and also that the present efforts in

Tamilnadu to deal with climate change issue

are not only inadequate but also lack

integration and networking. In order to discuss

these issues in a forum of �traditional seed land

farmers association� and district level

agriculture experts a Brainstorming Workshop

on �Climate Change Research� was organized

by SEEDS, Namakkal on 10th February 2014.

The Workshop was addressed by Mr.

Subramanian, assistant professor, Agriculture

College, Karaikkal, and leading farmers of our

CBOs.

The forum evolved the strategy following

recommendations.

1. Changes in inputs, timings and tillage,

irrigation practices, crop rotation, crop

choice, crop diversification, crop harvesting

and processing at farm level adaptation.

2014 ANNUAL REPORT 201

important science issues that need to be

addressed, and also that the present efforts in

Tamilnadu to deal with climate change issue

are not only inadequate but also lack

integration and networking. In order to discuss

hese issues in a forum of �traditional seed land

farmers association� and district level

agriculture experts a Brainstorming Workshop

earch� was organized

February 2014.

The Workshop was addressed by Mr.

ramanian, assistant professor, Agriculture

College, Karaikkal, and leading farmers of our

The forum evolved the strategy following

in inputs, timings and tillage,

irrigation practices, crop rotation, crop

choice, crop diversification, crop harvesting

and processing at farm level adaptation.

2. Networks, information dissemination, group

action, SHGs, community projects, coping

Strategies, local water management

techniques and traditional water

conservation measures at

adaptation.

3. Micro-irrigation technologies, water

harvesting, flood mitigation and land

drainage at technological adaptation.

4. Responses to policies and Institutions

dealing with water allocation, planning and

management, regulations on electricity

usage, regulations of local institutions at

Institutional and policy adaptation.

ANIMAL BIO_DIVERSITY CONSERVATION

AND PROMOTION.

A large number of farmers

animal husbandry for their livelihood,

agriculture work, manure, In addition to

supplying milk from cattle�s, meat from cattle,

meat and eggs from poultry, wool and

mainly bullocks, are the major source of power

for both farmers and dryers. Thus, animal

husbandry plays an important role in the rural

economy especially indigenous varieties. The

gross family income value from this animal

husbandry sector were 30 to 40 percentages

the farmers gained from this animals rearing,

now the lack of knowledge and non availability

of grazing land and fodder the farmers are not

willing to promote the animals. In this context,

SEEDS has taken initiatives to conduct training

programmes to women farmer

of animals rearing and supplementary income

creating awareness on promotion and

conservation of cattle rearing. 50 women

participated in these training programmes. As a

result we have prepared one project proposal

25 women on backyard count

enterprises and submitted to RSWR

proposal primarily has been accepted by the

ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014

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Networks, information dissemination, group

action, SHGs, community projects, coping

egies, local water management

techniques and traditional water

conservation measures at Social level

irrigation technologies, water

harvesting, flood mitigation and land

echnological adaptation.

Responses to policies and Institutions

dealing with water allocation, planning and

management, regulations on electricity

usage, regulations of local institutions at

Institutional and policy adaptation.

ANIMAL BIO_DIVERSITY CONSERVATION

farmers in India depend on

for their livelihood,

agriculture work, manure, In addition to

from cattle�s, meat from cattle,

from poultry, wool and hides,

e the major source of power

for both farmers and dryers. Thus, animal

husbandry plays an important role in the rural

economy especially indigenous varieties. The

gross family income value from this animal

husbandry sector were 30 to 40 percentages

mers gained from this animals rearing,

now the lack of knowledge and non availability

of grazing land and fodder the farmers are not

willing to promote the animals. In this context,

SEEDS has taken initiatives to conduct training

programmes to women farmers on importance

of animals rearing and supplementary income

creating awareness on promotion and

conservation of cattle rearing. 50 women

participated in these training programmes. As a

result we have prepared one project proposal

25 women on backyard country poultry rearing

enterprises and submitted to RSWR-USA, the

proposal primarily has been accepted by the


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Donor for consideration of next financial year

2014-2015.

PARTICPATORY RURAL APPRAISAL

PROGRAME IN KOLLI HILLS

SEEDS has conducted the participatory rural

appraisal exercise in 10 hamlets of Ariyur

panchayat of kolli hills and based on the

survey, we found the details of population,

gender ratio, literacy level, population of cattle,

availability of natural resources, Health &

hygiene, migration level, reason for the

migration, water and sanitation status of this

hamlets. At the result we have documented all

the details would be used for future planning

and networking with peoples.

AZOLLA STUDY VISIT TO TNAU COVAI

SEEDS has been working on azolla cultivation

from the last year and studying its potential as

a feed for farm animals and exploring cost

effective methods for the mass multiplication of

azolla in farmers� homesteads. Azolla is a

floating fern and belongs to the family of

Azollaceae. Azolla hosts symbiotic blue green

algae, Anabaena azollae, which is responsible

for the fixation and assimilation of atmospheric

nitrogen. Azolla, in turn, provides the carbon

source and favorable environment for the

growth and development of the algae. It is this

unique symbiotic relationship that makes azolla

a wonderful plant with high protein content.

Azolla is easy to cultivate and can be used as

an ideal feed for cattle, fish, pigs and poultry,

and also is of value as a bio-fertilizer for

wetland paddy. Based on our azolla theoretical

knowledge our team went to TNAU,

Coimbatore for field visit and sharing of

knowledge on cultivation technique. And

SEEDS had one volunteer from UK, she was

doing her studies in azolla plant. As per

guidance of our volunteer we made this visit.

As the result SEEDS has developed some

models in azolla units in our project area of kolli

hills, Namakkal district.

COORDINATION WITH GOVERNMENT

DEPARTMENTS

In association with government institutions like

KVK, Namakkal, the director of SEEDS Mr.

Ramachandran, participated in the community

radio programme. He has given a message on

Backyard domestic poultry rearing technique

and management. And our traditional seed

land farmers association members have

participated in the Country poultry rearing,

Fodder management and sheep rearing

training programme in KVK, Namakkal. And

SEEDS coordination with district agriculture

department through the ATMA scheme for

creating awareness programme on modern

agriculture farm tools and machineries for

farmers was conducted by agriculture

extension department of Erumaipatty block in

Muthukkapatty village, 25 women farmers

participated in the programme . As the result

our traditional seed land women farmers

availed loan facility for purchase of farm

equipments and minor tools for reducing their

drudgery in agriculture practices.


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CO-ORDINATION WITH OTHER LIKE

MINDED NGOs AND RESEARCH

INSTITUTIONS.

SEEDS have close relationship with MSSRF

for getting solidarity and gaining knowledge. In

this context SEEDS has gained a lot of

resources and experiences from their present

programs, based on the solidarity with MSSRF

we have adopted working strategy and

conceptual clarity in different level project

formulation and reporting to the donors. And

SEEDS had lot of opportunities to attend the

National level and International level seminars

and workshops related to Agricultural policies

and practices.

To encourage the NGOs chief functionaries on

online fundraising technique and proposal

writing skills session was conducted by

SEEDS, on 10th October 2013, in our office

premises of Namakkal. 18 participants have

been participated from like minded Institutions

in various districts of Tamilnadu. The session

was addressed by Fr. Franchise Xavier,

consultant cum trainer on LFA.

International and National Conference and workshop attended by Staff team of SEEDS,

Date Venue Content of the programe Implementing

Institution

Supporting

Institution

15.07.2013

MSSRF-

Chennai

Capacity building for climate risk

management (CRM) At the local level

MSSRF Foundation -

Chennai MSSRF- Chennai

17.09.2013

Hindu

College,

Trichy.

Attracting and Retaining Youth in

Agriculture

MSSRF Foundation -

Chennai

Nationalized

Banks

13-15

March,

2014.

MSSRF -

Chennai

Norman Borlaug birth centenary

dialogue on �TAKE IT FARMER�

MSSRF Foundation -

Chennai MSSRF- Chennai

06.03.2014.

Hotel Nala,

Namakkal

Creating Awareness and Building

Capacity of The Farmers On The

Legislation of Protection of Plant

Varieties And Farmers� Rights Act,

2001

M.S.Swaminathan

Research Foundation

- Chennai

Ministry of

agriculture, govt.

Of india, New

Delhi

CASE STUDIES:

SELF CONFIDENCE CHANGE OF WOMENS

LIFE:

Mrs Lakshmi (32) w/o. Ayyanan (38), is living

with two daughters A.Annammal (14),

A.Arunadevi (11) and one son A. Arivalagan

(8), she lived in cottage roofed house at Villur

village of Kallikudi block, Thirumangalm Taluk

of Madurai District. She underwent family

planning after she gave Birth of her third son

A.Arivalagan. After a great loss in her

Agriculture, she got some loan for meet out

their external losses of her previous debt from

the money lenders. Lakshmi family was in deep

financial crises with lots of external debts. Even

repaying of interest was impossible. There was

harassment on her by the external debtors and

the husband was not able to do any help to her.

Under these circumstances Mrs.Lakhsmi was

enlightened of the possibilities of getting loans

at low rate of interest and re-starts her life

again, if she became a member of Ponni SHG.

And accordingly she joined Ponni SHG.


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Due to physical weakness of Ayyanan, he is

unable to go for coolie works and stay at home

idle. The situation urged Lakshmi to become

the sole bread winner of the family but she is

also very weak. Her poverty defeated her

health but she had courage to save and

maintain her two innocent daughters. She

could not find jobs in construction sector

because of her poor health and so she goes

daily wage in farm works.

She gets income only Rs 120/ per day. She

and her family members were leading life with

great worries and fighting with hunger. No

helping hand was given to her. When SEEDS

knew her tragedies, it gave a loan of Rs.

15000/ support of TREAD scheme after getting

the loan from SHG and started a dry vegetable

& appalam making shop with the loan. From

the income of the small business, she has now

repaid all her external debts. Now she has

totally freed herself from the harassment of

moneylenders and happily repaying the loan in

an installment of Rs 1000/ pm.

PRESENT STATUS

Mrs Lakshmi, who was harassed so much and

discouraged by her husband from joining the

group is now a happy man. The man who was

so violent is now very appreciative of Mrs

Lakshmi success in life. Mrs Lakshmi is very

happy today that she is doing a good business

in the shop, getting training, guidance,

counseling, awareness for her own life through

SEEDS which has sponsored her SHG. Now,

Mrs. Lakshmi was acting as a resource person

in our current project on family counseling and

gender issues.

CREDIBILITY ALLIANCE NORMS COMPLIANCE REPORT IDENTITY

We are registered as a not-for-profit Non- Governmental Organization under Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act � 27 of 1975. Registration. No.146/1994.

Article of Association and Memorandum of Association is available on request.

We are registered u/s12AA of the Income Tax Act 1961 -PAN:AACAS0418F

We are registered under section 6 (1) (a) of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act,1976 �FCRA Reg.No. 075940438.

Name & Address of Bankers: For Foreign Contribution Account Canara Bank, Usilampatty Main Road, Thirumangalam, Madurai � 625 706. Name & Address of Bankers: For Local Contribution Account Indian Bank, Valavanthy Nadu, Semmedu Post, Kolli Hills, Namakkal District- 637 411

Name & Address of the Auditor: Mr. R.Amalajothi, KCS Associates, Chartered Accountant, 10C, TB Road, Mahaboopalayam, Madurai-625 010.

The SEEDS Society met three times in FY 2013-14 on 06th June 2013, 14th Sep 2013 and 29th March 2014. Minutes of the Board Meetings are documented and circulated.

The Executive board will be elected once in three years. The Board approves programmes, budgets, annual activity reports and audited financial statements. The Board ensures the organization's compliance with laws and regulations.


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ACCOUNTABILITY AND ANSPARENCY The following reimbursements have been made to Board Members:

Remuneration has been paid to the Secretary and Treasurer each Rs.6000 per month for their programmatic work.

The following reimbursements have been made to Board Members:

Traveling Expenses (to attend Board meetings): As per actual fare with Lunch

Reimbursement of local conveyance made to Mr.Ramachandran, Director, Rs. 6000/- and Ms. Amutha Rs.5000/-

No other reimbursements have been made to any EC members or General body members

Remuneration of 1 highest paid staff member: Rs.5,000/-p.m.

Remuneration of the Lowest paid staff member: Rs.2,500/-p.m.

Staff Details: (as at March31,2014)

Gender Paid full time

Paid part time

Consultant

Volunteers

Male Female

4 3

1 -

1 -

5 3

Distribution of staff according to Salary levels: (as at march 31, 2014)

Slab of gross salary (in Rs). plus benefits paid to staff

female male total

2500-5000 3 5 8

Total Cost of National Travel By All Staff During The Year: Rs. 9000/-

No member of the organization made International travel during the year, 2013-14.

Our heart felt thanks to benevolent donors

and supporters:

S.No Name of the Agency Country

1 M.s.swaminathan

research foundation

Taramani -

Chennai.

2 Ministry of Micro &

small and Medium

Enterprises (MSME)

Govt.of India �

New Delhi

3 Canara bank Thirumangalam

4 Help your NGO Mumbai

5 1% club The Netherlands

6 NABARD Namakkal

CONCLUSION:

We hope you enjoy the report of various activities and we welcome your feedback which will improve

our efficiency to work further. We learnt very meaningful lessons during this year which gave new

directions to set our goals for future. We thank all the donors, well wishers, volunteers, community

heads, staff and members for making so much success. We know we have to go many miles to achieve

our aims and are sure we can travel those miles happily with hand in hand with all your supports.

A.RAMACHANDRAN

Secretary.


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Documents

ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 … Report 2013...ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014 3 FROM THE DESK OF SECRETARY OF SEEDS, NAMAKKAL–.. At the outset, I …