Heritage CornerHighlights of KaraikudiEndogenous Tourism Project 22

LivelihoodsPromotion of diary basedlivelihoods in Nalgonda

14

TechnologyCan ICT contribute for Poverty Reduction? 12

MattersDevelopment September 2008

Fish rearing activity in Vayalagam

Feature

MattersDevelopment Vol. II Issue 8 September 2008

Centre for Development CommunicationDHAN Foundation18, Pillaiyar Koil Street, S.S. Colony

Madurai - 625 016. Tamil Nadu, INDIA

Tel.: +91-452-4353983, 2610794, 2610805

Email: dhanfoundation_tn@airtelmail.in

Website: http://www.dhan.org

From the Editors’ Desk

Contents

As a new initiative in Vayalagam programme, fish rearing activity have shown comparative growth nearly 130 per cent more than that of earlier years.

Dear Readers!

Greetings! This September issue comes with a wide range of articles.

An exhaustive report by Madhan Mohan details the fish rearing

activity in Vayalagam federations. It speaks about the trails and new

initiatives taken in various loctions. Director Ranganathan narrates

about the fourth development film festival conducted on the theme

“Culture and Heritage”. There is an interesting note on a motivating

and thought provoking children camp conducted in Karunai – DHAN

Illam, Nilakottai. Muthukumarasamy writes how ICT theme tries to

find out the answer for the most frequently asked question, can ICT

contribute for poverty reduction? He cites an example of a Village

Information Centre which paves way for a better society.

Our senior colleague, Giridhar Goud, writes about the dairy

experience in Nalgonda. Ramkumar elucidate the workshop on

mentoring organized by Centre for Human Resource Development

(CHRD). Karthick Gopal highlights the endogenous tourism project

in Karaikudi. It focuses the culture, craft, and various livelihood

activities carried on for women and disadvantaged groups. As usual,

we look forward for your continued support by contributing articles,

comments, critics, feedback and encouragement to enrich the quality

of subsequent issues of this magazine.

Happy reading!

1. Fish rearing activity in Vayalagam 1

2. Fourth Development Film festival 2008 8

3. Children’s Day Out 11

4. Can ICT contribute for Poverty Reduction? 12

5. Promotion of Dairy Based Livelihoods in Nalgonda 14

6. Workshop on Mentoring 21

7. Highlights of Karaikudi Endogenous Tourism Project 22

8. Flood damages on the tank irrigation system 25

9. House wife become an entrepreneur 29

1

Feature

* S.P. Madhan Mohan, Team Leader, DHAN Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Fish rearing activity in Vayalagam

During 2007 – 08, 205 water bodies were taken up fish

rearing activity in 20 blocks comingunder 6 regions (10 districts) and alsoin Pondicherry. The 10 districts areMadurai, Sivagangai, Ramnad,Villupuram, Kanchipuram andThiruvallur districts in Tamilnadu,Adilabad, Chitoor in Andhra Pradeshand Tumkur and Yadagiri inKarnataka. In 10 districts, Adilabad,Chitoor and Tumkur districts receiverain during south west monsoon andthe remaining districts receive duringnorth east monsoon period. So fishseed stocking period was varied fromAugust to February.

Growth of fish rearing in Vayalagam

As a new initiative in Vayalagamprogramme, fish rearing activity haveshown comparative growth nearly 130per cent more than that of earlier years.During 2006-07, Only 64 water bodiesinclude tanks, ponds, ooranies andfarm ponds, were taken up thisactivity. In that 64 water bodies, 27tanks, 14 ooranies and 23 farm pondsare utilized to rear fishes. In 2007-08,this activity has reached to 205 waterbodies. In that 205 water bodies, 40tanks, 41 ponds and ooranies, 89 farmponds and 35 open well has taken upthis activity. This year we are doingin drinking water oorani as a trial andalso the federation also directlyinvolved in this activity by doing intwo tanks.

Growth based onNature of water body

We have takensome efforts to upscalethe fish rearing activity.We have raised fundfrom FAO for fishrearing whichsupported to take upthis activity in 31 waterbodies. Fund supportexclusively for fishrearing activity is rare, mostlysupported as an integrative componentof agriculture development. Tele foodspecial fund is supporting this activityto provide nutritional security to poor.Impact of Fish rearing in 2006 – 07motivated the associations to take upthis activity this year. Orientation andtraining to association members, fieldvisit to water bodies and discussionwith association members, givinginputs in their village itself alsomotivated them to take up this activity.Unexpected heavy rainfall received by

Tamil Nadu in December given morehope to take this activity in manywater bodies. Community fish rearingactivity has increased nearly 100 percent more than that of last year whichshown the real growth of this activity.In March 2008 South Tamil Nadu andcoastal areas have received hugerainfall, which once again filled thetanks fully or partially in all the places.We are exploring the possibilities forfish rearing where the water bodieshave filled. Presently we haveexplored the possibility in 41 waterbodies.

205 water bodies

Increased Rain Fall

Field visit and discussion

Orientation and Trainings

Impact of Fish rearing 2006-07

Funds for Fish rearing (6.81 lakh)

64 water bodies

2

Region wise fish rearing details

2007 -08

During the reporting period, wehave taken up fishery activity in 205water bodies, 141 water bodies morethan that of last year, 64. In that, 18tanks, 26 ooranies 62 farm ponds and35 open wells are additionally takenup fishery activity this year. During thereporting period, we couldn’t takefishery activity in Thoothukudi regiondue to poor rainfall. In all the otherregions, number of water bodies takenup this activity has doubled this year.Especially in Tumkur region,Fisheries Department supported byproviding fish seeds has increased thenumber of water bodies.

Region wise data on fish rearing

number of fingerlings also increasedfrom 3, 26,250 to 6,78,000. Thisfinancial year (2007-08) six moreblocks has taken up this activity whencompared to last year. This year, wecouldn’t take up this activity inThoothukudi region due to lack of rainfall. This year Pavagada and Punganurblocks have put very good effort totake up this activity in more waterbodies. In next year they have plannedto take this activity in double.

Fish variety wise stocking

Sl.No. State Region

Name 2006 -'07 2007-'08 Tank Oorani Farmpond

Openwell

1 Tamil Nadu Madurai 22 31 10 13 08 00

2 Tamil Nadu Ramnad 06 10 00 09 01 00

3 Tamil Nadu Kanchipuram 05 10 00 09 01 00

4 AP Chittoor 10 28 04 10 09 05

5 AP Hyderabad 11 13 13 00 00 00

6 Karnataka Tumkur 05 113 13 00 70 30

Total 64 205 40 41 89 35 Species No of WB.

Carps 183

Cat fish 20

Murrel 2

Data on fish rearing - Block wise

During 2007-08, we have covered21 blocks and also in Pondicherry.

Except three blocks (Tirupullani,T.Kallupatti and Bejjur), this activityhas increased in numbers. The

3

Major concerns during fish seed

stocking

• Non availability of all species ofcarps in all areas.

• Limited hatcheries are workingin our areas. Most of themrunning rearing unit in whichthey were dependent for fish fry.

• Time of stocking varies fromstate to state mainly depends onmonsoon

During the reporting period, nearly205 water bodies were stocked withfish seeds. In that, nearly 46% of waterbodies were newly stocked and 32%were taken up this activity for thesecond year and the remaining 22%were doing this activity more than twoyears.

Fish species wise stocking

Funding Support for Fish rearing

Activity

Tele food special fund: is aspecial fund from Food andAgriculture Organization of UnitedNations mainly to provide foodsecurity to poor people. FAO hassupported exclusively for fish rearingactivity in DVTF to provide foodsecurity, sanctioned 10,000 $ for thisproject. Through this project we have

Sl.No. Region Location Tanks Ooranies Farm

pondsOpenwell 2007-'08 2006-'07

1 Madurai T.Kallupatty 01 00 00 00 01 06

2 Madurai Sedapatty 00 01 02 00 03 02

3 Madurai Tirumangalam 00 00 02 00 02 02

4 Madurai Kottampatty 09 05 01 00 15 06

5 Madurai Singampunari 00 05 02 00 07 06

6 Madurai Manamadurai 00 02 01 00 03 00

7 Kanchipuram Tirukalukundram 00 04 00 00 04 00

8 Kanchipuram Chithamur 00 01 01 00 02 03

9 Kanchipuram Villupuram Pondi 00 04 00 00 04 02

10 Chitoor Thiruvilangadu 01 05 04 02 12 05

11 Chitoor Poondi 01 00 02 00 03 05

12 Chitoor Punganur 02 05 03 03 13 00

13 Ramnad Kadaladi 00 01 02 00 03 02

14 Ramnad Thirupulani 00 01 00 00 01 04

15 Ramnad Mudukulathur 00 06 00 00 06 00

16 Hydrabad Bejjur 01 00 00 00 01 03

17 Hydrabad Indravelly 09 00 00 00 09 08

18 Hydrabad Yadagiri 02 00 00 00 02 00

19 Tumkur Pavagada 07 00 70 30 107 03

20 Tumkur Sira 02 00 00 00 02 02

No of Species 01 02 03 04 05 06

No of WB 129 23 14 11 26 02

4

stocked 1, 70,000 fingerlings in 31water bodies in Madurai, Sivagangaiand Ramnad districts. Apart fromsupporting to provide fish seeds, thisproject is supporting to provide 5tonnes of ground nut oil cake and 10tonnes of rice bran as supplementaryfeed to these water bodies (wb).

Other funding supports were alsoby various funding agencies like HUL,Oxfam GB, JSYS Karnataka. All thefunding agencies are supported mainlyfor renovation of water bodies and to

sustain the maintanmce of waterbodies, they have supported thisactivity which is giving more hope tomake moderrate revenue for thepeople institutions. We have taken upthis activity in 11 water bodies. ITDA– Adilabad, Fisheries Department inPavagada has supported fish rearingactivity as nutrional security to ruralpoor in the above areas. With the helpof the above funds, we have taken upfish rearing in 110 water bodies.

Fish rearing – Trial and new initiative

Trial in Drinking water oorani:

In Mudukulathur block, Thattankudi Irrupu Vayalagam members areaccepted to trail fish rearing activityin their drinking water oorani. Here,people are not drawing water directlyfrom the oorani. People are drawingwater from the draw well constructednearly to the oorani. Because of that,this oorani was accepted to take up fishrearing as a trail. Normally fish rearingin drinking water oorani is notadvisable because of the low fertilityof pond, sudden death of fishes causesome bad odour to water andharvesting (human beings will enterthe oorani). Here the water is heavilyturbid, which cause the primaryproductivity of pond, in turn causepoor growth of fishes. The onlyadvantage is the water availableduration of water bodies, which canbe more than 6 months.

Federation Taken up fish rearing – an

initiative

Kottampatty Vattara VayalagamFederation has taken up fish rearingactivity in two tanks, Kanakan kulamand Kummalankundu by making aformal agreement with the concernedPanchayat. This activity has taken upby federation itself to raise the fundstatus of federation. They have madean agreement as 25 % of net incomeshould be given to federation by thepanchayat after harvest. The cultureexpenses will meet by federation andthe watch and ward should bypanchayat. They have stocked 20,000fingerlings of IMC and exotic carpsin each tank. Water availability is alsoensured, as these tanks were deepened

Fish seed purchase for FAO Project

Sl.No. Funding agency Amount in

Rs. Name of Blocks covered No. ofW B

1 FAO of UN 4,00,000 Madurai, Sivagangai, Ramnad 31

2 Oxfam GB 30, 000 Yadagiri 02

3 ITDA 1, 40,000 Indravelly and Bejjur 14

4 Fisheries Dept 15,000 Pavagada 100

5 Federation 23 000 Tiruvalankadu,Tirukalukundram 13

6 HUL 60,000 Pondicherry 03

7 JSYS 36 250 Sira, Kolar 06

8 Own fund 71 000 Pavagada, Tiruvalangadu,Chittamur, Punganur,Kottampatti and Singampunari

36

Total 7,71,250 205

Funds mobilized for fish rearing

5

by taking up silt for Golden Four wayroad project. The tanks are filled againduring the downpour of rain in March.Federation is expecting good returnfrom this activity to raise their fundstatus.

Impact of fish rearing in last year

2006-07

During 2006-07, we have taken upfish rearing activity in 64 water bodies,21 tanks, 14 ooranies and 29 farmponds. We have covered 150 hectareswater spread area under fish rearingactivity. We have stocked nearly 3,26,000 fingerlings and fish fry ofIndian major carps

(Catla, Rohu, Mrigal) and exoticcarps like silver carp and commoncarp. Nearly 60 water bodies wereharvested completely. In this 42 waterbodies were given average tomoderate yield as totally fetchednearly Rs. 3, 60,000. In this 42 waterbodies, 20 water bodies nearly 33 percent were given net income more than

Rs. 10, 000. Eleven water bodiesnearly 07 per cent were given netmargin less than Rs. 10,000 and 12water bodies nearly 19 per cent weregiven less than Rs. 5000. Eight farmponds were given margin less than Rs.1000. We have attained loss in 10farm ponds, nearly 16 per cent due tolack of water availability andpoaching. Partial harvest and sellingthe fishes within the village methodwas adopted in harvesting andmarketing the reared fishes in thesewater bodies which was also increasedthe income considerably. Nearly threewater bodies were partially or not yetharvested and still rearing is going onas well as these water bodies wereplanned to restock.

Loss occurred due to the following

reasons

• Lack of rain fall. Enough thewater bodies were filled withwater, lack of further rain, waterhas taken up for agriculture whichcause quick dry of water bodies.

• Lack of refilling sources/ top upsources for water bodies

• Over stocking of fishes and lessduration of rearing period

• Poaching in some areas

• Flood wash in some areas

• Improper species stocking,carnivores and herbivores at sametime

Kanakan kulam Tank

Number of water bodies percentage Gain in Rs.

20 (13 tanks, 6 ooranies 1 farm pond) 31 Above 10,000

11( 6 tanks,5 ooranies) 17 5000 - 10,000

12 (2 ooranies, 10 farm ponds ) 19 Less than 5000

08 farm ponds 12 Less than 1000

10 farm ponds 16 loss

03 (2 tanks, 1 oorani) 05 Not fully harvested

Rasikulam, Sayalkudi

6

Case study

Rojammal – Chinna eri Vayalagam - Poondi

Rojammal is a member of Chinna Eri Vayalagamin Poondi Location, dugout one farm pond withthe Help of DVTF. She has taken up fish rearingactivity in her farm pond by stocking 750 IMC. Shehas applied supplementary feed as well as fed bythe food waste from near by temple. During myvisit we did sampling to know the growth of fishesin her pond. She told that she has never seen anyfishes jumping in her pond, so was less confidenton survival of fishes in her pond. When the netmen entered in to the pond to catch the fishes,fishes started to jump in all sides to escape from the net. She is seeing the fishes first timeafter stocking and she was very happy that fishes are there and they have grown well. Thecaught fishes were weighed around 600grams in weight and the survival also good, morethan 50%. I have instructed her to do partial harvest immediately to avoid poaching as wellas to fetch money to meet the feed expenses. Unfortunately she delayed one month, fisheswere poached. She was upset but still she has stocked again fingerlings along with remainingstock. We are expecting good crop for her this year. She has learned that, delay in harvestwill make loss.

Kanniappan – Nallamur WSA - Chittamur

Kanniappan, member of Nallamur WSA, hasdugout a farm pond from NWDPRA watershed project. He has also taken up fishrearing activity in his farm pond. He hasstocked 1,500 Cat Fishes worth Rs.2,500in his Farm pond. He fed the fishes withboiled waste of Chicken and mutton fromshops daily. He had spent nearly Rs.10,000for feeding and Rs.6,000 as labour chargesfor watch and ward and harvesting alone.After six months, fishes reached 750 gms

to one Kg. He has adopted partial harvest method to fetch more margins for his produce. Heharvested the fishes during Sunday, functions and festivals. He has sold the produce tonearby village also. He sold the fishes at the rate of Rs.60 / kg. The total production from hispond is around 700 kgs. He has fetched the net income nearly Rs.22,000. This year also hehas stocked the same variety of fish in his farm pond.

7

Indicative cost and benefit analysis

of fish Rearing in 2007- 08

• 40 tanks, 41Ooranies and ponds,89 Farm Ponds, 35 open wellwere stocked

• Mostly stocked fish species wereCatla, Rohu, Common carp, andcat fish.

• Grass carp, Silver carp, Mrigaland Murrel were stocked inlimited water bodies.

Total number of fingerlingsstocked - 6,88,000

Total stocked water spreadarea - 300 hectares

Average stocked numbers/Hectare - 2,300

Expected Totalharvest - 101,850 Kgs

Expected Grossincome - Rs.32,11,000

Expected cultureexpenditure -Rs.13,37,000

Expected Net returns- Rs.18,74,000

Average income /Hectare - Rs.6,250

Number of associationsinvolved - 81

Average income perassociation - Rs.21,586

Number of individualsinvolved - 124

Average incomeper family - Rs.1,010

Learnings from the last two years

• Instead of giving quantitativeapproach, we have to concentratemore on qualitative way of

rearing to increase theproduction.

• Delay in stocking or decisionmaking caused heavily thisactivity. Need proactive way ofplanning for fish rearing

• Frequent monitoring visit towater bodies is needed tostrengthen this activity

• Lack of data collection put barrierfor way forward and this need tobe addressed.

• Taking minimum risk is essentialfor fish rearing

• Need specific approach in Fishrearing for each block

Analysing the possibilities,barriers, success and issues,causing the upscale process ofthis activity

Discussion with block levelteam, PEs, VADC and associatesto know about the possibilities,Barriers, Success and issues.Synthesis of the outcome.

Discussion with community, ECleaders, and experiencedmembers in fish rearing theabove aspects and synthesis theoutcome.

Synthesizing the both and bringout one block level specificapproach for each block on

• Possible water bodies – nature ofWB

• Fishery rights

• Funds for fish rearing

• Species to be stocked orincreased, which shown goodgrowth in previous

• Stocking density

• Growth of fishes – natural feed,supplementary feed

• Productivity – Natural stock orunstocked, stocked etc

• Sales and marketing

• Utilisation of funds gained fromfish rearing

Way Forward

• Raising fund, seed capital fromcorporate, Main line institutionsand other funding agencies totake up in more water bodies

• Plan to get quality fish seeds atrequired time – start up fishrearing unit in future

• Tie up with Tamil Nadu fisheriesdepartment

• Enhancing livelihood throughOrnamental fish rearing activity

• Tie up with Fisheries College inTamil Nadu and Andra Pradeshfor joint action research withDST funding.

Expected Survival 30% Expected netreturn in

Rs.

Averageincome per

Hectare in Rs.

Averageincome per

familyAverage growth

400 gms 17,20,800 4,920 860

500 gms 22,00,000 6,285 1,100

600 gms 26,60,000 7,600 1,330

750 gms 30,76,500 8,790 1,540

An analysis of output based on growth of fishes

8

DHAN Foundation startedorganizing Development Film

Festivals in 2005. This film festivalnot only restricts itself with bringingup constructive critics but alsoencourages various developmentinitiatives by creating awareness to thepublic and making them appreciatesuch novel attempts. Due toglobalization, age-old traditions havelost their luster. To conserve theprecious time-tested wisdom, richculture and heritage, the topic ofHeritage was selected for 2008’s filmfestival.

The purpose and the topic wasdisseminated across the world and wereceived 35 films, including two filmsfrom the Philippines. Preliminaryscreening was done by a jurycomprising historians, archeologists,environmentalists, and journalists.Only 20 films were found to bespecific to the topic, from which sevenfilms were selected for screening inthe festival. Also 5 films were selectedfor a special screening as the datecoincided with “World Tourism Day”.

Day 1

The festival was held at theGandhi Memorial Museum, a placethat enhanced the aura of history andcultural pride that the films alreadyprojected. The evening began byscreening “Kodangi”, a film from2007’s film festival that focused on thetheme of water. When a sizeablecrowd of 300 people had assembled;the evening began in earnest withmusic, traditional lighting ceremony,

Event

* K. Ranganathan, Project Executive, Centre for Development Communication, DHAN Foundation, Madurai.

Fourth Development Film festival 2008

K. Ranganathan *

and dancing. A panel of leadersinvolved in various aspects of thedevelopment sector spoke. The ChiefGuest journalist turned director,Mr. Rajashekar, praised short films fortheir ability to send an educationalmessage to people, which acommercial film cannot do. He said,“Commercial films should allocatesome segment of an educationalmessage in the films, televisionprogrammes, and magazines”. Hepointed out that there are very fewproducers who encourage such work.

The film “Jallikattu” profiled thetraditional “sport” of taming bulls andfocused on the town of Alanganallurwhere the yearly festival is particularlyvibrant. Over and over, images flashedon the screen of young men tauntingdecorated bulls and then beingviolently thrashed around by the bulls’tremendous weight. Conflicting viewswere outlined in the film.

After an energetic question andanswer session with the director of thefilm Jallikattu, the second film wasshown, “Death Knell to NilgiriBiosphere”. This emotional film toldthe story of the people’s movementin Chamalapura, a village nearMysore, against the establishment ofa thermal power plant. The filmjuxtaposed scenes of vibrant, lush, andproductive flora and fauna withominous photographs of polluted anddesolate landscapes. The livelihoodsare taken away but not replaced.Afterwards, the directors describedtheir intention: to shed light on theparticular movement to show thatgovernmental policies can and shouldbe questioned and, if appropriate,protested. For the most part, theaudience welcomed the presence ofan activist film such as this in afestival, saying that films such as theseare far too rare.

still from “Jallikattu”

9

Day 2:

The first film, “Thai Poosam”,followed the traditions surroundingthe daily rituals of the 10-day festival.The main focus was the pilgrims’journey to Palani, in which individualsexpress their faith in a wide range ofways. The film showed the physicalstrain of the journey. During theinteractive session, the director of thefilm “Thai Poosam” shared that thefilm was a product that was requestedby the Malaysian Government wheremore than 50 percent of the populationare Tamilians.

The second film, “Chedi”,mirrored another realm of society: theproblematic use of child labor. Thiswas not a documentary. Rather, it wasa dramatization of a very probablestory of poverty: a single man feelstrapped and begins to use his 7-year-old daughter as a source of incomethrough her acrobatic skill. When shetakes a giant fall and almost loses herlife, he is wracked with guilt. Theattending doctor has a stern talk withthe father, and explains that what hehas chosen to do was a punishableoffense. The movie was provocativein that it outlined how someone couldfeel trapped into making the decisionsthis man did, problematized childlabor and low rates of education forgirls, and it suggested that the passingof laws could lead to positive behavior

change. In response to“Chedi”, everyone applauded.The director of the film wasnot available to appear on thestage, but there was a mobile-phone facilitated discussionby through which the directorcould hear the responses andsuggestions.

The final film, “EnduringTraditions”, was a special screeningof a DHAN Foundation project andreturned to focus on local traditionsof a village called Athangudi. It is thecenter of floor tile production in thearea, locally available fine sand anddeft skill combine to make colorfulpatterned tile that tempts the viewerto go see the production process inperson. Dating back to 1928, thepractice involves many complicatedsteps, from adjusting the glass mold,to achieving level placement for asmooth floor. The combination ofartistic tradition with a source oflivelihoods—some 400 families inAthangudi rely on the production ofthe tiles for income—contributed toa sense of urgency in the film.Conscious patronising the art isrequired to keep it alive, exactly whatthis film aims to provide.

Day 3:

The third day of the DevelopmentFilm Festival covered two verydifferent topics: the cultural andenvironmental implications of anational park in Rajasthan, and the lifeand struggles of folklore artists inTamil Nadu. Seemingly disparatesubjects, a single theme unified them:the livelihood and culture of anindividual or community cannot beforcefully taken away. In each film, thestrength of the human connection toland and heritage was the abidingmessage.

“Living in the Park” explores theRanthambore National Park inRajasthan, which was established withthe aim of protecting the Bengal Tigerfrom extinction. Although this is anadmirable initiative in itself, the filmprovides a more complicatedperspective on this park: the effect ofthe park on the local people andculture. Although tourism has boostedthe local economy giving morebusiness to some local artists, themajority of the community has beendisplaced to the outskirts of the park,alienated from their home. They canno longer cultivate their land or hunt,and even the young children are

still from “Living in the Park”

still from “Chedi”

10

growing up without the same depth ofknowledge about their naturalsurroundings. The movie left us withseveral questions: How can we protectboth the environment and our people?How can development measures unifythose who have a stake instead ofdividing them? Echoing in our mindswas the phrase, “you can take thepeople out of the park, but not the parkout of the people”. The director of thefilm, “Living with the Park”, Dr.SusanSharma, answered the queries raisedby the jury and the public. There wasa good response for the film as manypeople in Madurai had an opportunityto virtually go for a safari.

“Elumalai Jama” conveyed muchthe same message in relation tofolklore. This extremely engagingfilm followed the life of severalfolklore artists who act out traditionalstories to musical dancing. The headof the troop plays the king and danceswith particular exuberance; the joy onhis face is constantly apparent. As thefilm progresses, however, it becomesincreasingly difficult for the troop tomake a living off their art. The massesgo to the cinema instead of watchingtheir plays. The troop disbands andlooks for work as vendors and coolies.At this point the film takes on a

different tone entirely: the joyfulmusic stops and the color tone turnsto sepia. The “king” is crestfallen. Hisonly joy is when he imagines himselfa king again—the color returns to thefilm only to vanish again when hisdaydream is broken. Despite thechange in lifestyle, the folklore cannotbe taken away from this man’s heart.This self-identity both causes himproblems (when he is addressedinformally in his new employment heflares up in a rage as would a king)but it is also what keeps him motivatedto follow his dream of returning tofolklore as a livelihood. The film endson a powerful note when the “king”encounters a young group of artists inthe forest. Despairing at the amateurnature of their skill, he jumps out ofthe shadows to display his abilities.After a joyful return to his art, hecollapses to the ground: his last dance.The director of “Elumalai Jama” wasnot present so he was contacted withthe help of cellphone and he heard thecomments from the audience andanswered few question raised by theaudience.

Day 4:

The final day of the DevelopmentFilm Festival started with aspecial screening of a film

“Chinnapillaiamma”. It showed thereal life story of a woman whorevolutionized the life of manywomen with the self help groups andmotivated them to save and take loansfor entrepreneurship activities. Shewas recognized and awarded the ShreeShakthi Puraskar from Government ofIndia and she still lives a life servingmany poor around her.

“Missing Colors” followed the lifeof Karthi, a transgender woman artistwho led a life of great struggle.Banished from her home as a youngboy, she was forced to find her ownway with the companionship andacceptance of just one othertransgender, Mallika. Again and again,the film suggested that, were Karthinot transgender, her art would supporther. As it is, she is forced to sell herselfto make a living. When she iscriticized for spending all her moneyon paints, she replies, “I am sellingmy body, but I cannot sell my soul”.Her art provides a refuge for herpainful memories. The film follows aparallel story of a researcher who isstudying transgenderism and seeks outKarthi as a subject of her story.Interestingly, the journalist’scompanion makes some convincingarguments on the equal rights oftransgender people. The journalistpoints out those parents do not rejecttheir children if they are disabled.Instead they nurture them with loveand care. Transgender people deservethe same love and care of any otherchild and their identity should not besuppressed.

The man who acted as atransgender was on stage to expresshis views about the film. Many of theaudience gave their comments. Therewas a formal valedictory ceremonyand it was a good experience ofviewing development films.

Still from “Elumalai Jama”

11

A motivating and thoughtprovoking children camp wasconducted in Karunai – DHAN Illam,Nilakottai as a part of the Illam’s 21stAnnual Day. The two-day camp on25th and 26th September 2008 startedwith a lighting ceremony by Ms. JeanWatson, founder of the Karunai Illam.After a silent prayer, Mr. Khaderspoke to the participants about goodhabits. Muniram Singh from HumaneTrust introduced concentration andmemory increasing games. Childrenwere segregated into groups. Eachgroup was taught number games andmemory games. Ms. Jean Watson gaveaway the prizes to successful children.

Every alternate child was asked totell number in English and Tamil. Forexample, if the first child says “One”,the second child should say two inTamil as “Rendu”, then “Three” bythe third child, and the chain goes on.When any child goes wrong, that childcomes out of the game. Thenumbering continues until fifty. Forthis, every child should keep the mindalert, conscious of the number andlanguage.

Again the children were dividedinto six sub groups. Value-based storybooks were distributed to each groups.They were asked to prepare a dramaon any of the stories from the givenbook. There was a tea break and thechildren practiced their own drama orskit based on selected moral storiesuntil lunch. There was a question andanswer session about national leaders.

Event

Children’s Day Out

Nagaratnam and Muniram Singh*

Muniram Singhtaught somepatriotic songs andasked each childabout theirfavorite patrioticleader. He sharedsome interestingfacts and incidentsabout the leader.The children, whoknew only aboutone or twoleaders, left thesession knowingabout few moreleaders andi n t e r e s t i n gincidents in theirlife. Childrenperformed skitsbased on valuebased stories. Itwas performedwith a sense ofhumour. At 3.30pm Mr. Gomathi Murugan spoke on“How to face future” through somethought provoking stories. Participantspledged to practice good habits in theirlife.

The second day also started withprayer. Mr. Shanmugharaja, Librarianof Tata-Dhan Academy, conducted ageneral knowledge quiz. He alsospoke about libraries, the value ofbooks, and how to collect, categorize,protect, and maintain books.

* Nagaratnam, Programme Assistant, Centre for Facilitating Philanthropy, DHAN Karunai Illam, Nilakottai.* Muniram Singh, Senior Programme Associate, Humane Trust, DHAN Foundation, Madurai.

Mr. Govindarajan, Principal ofCBOA-DHAN School, taught wordpower games. Mr. Ramkumar, TeamLeader, CHRD, DHAN Foundationspoke about moral values andemphasized that “Greater thegreediness, greater is the loss”. Thecamp came to an end with a patrioticsongs session by Muniram Singhfollowed by silent prayer. The childrendispersed with heart full of joy andhead full of new things with adetermination to live a better life.

12

Can Information andCommunication Technology (ICT)contribute something for povertyreduction? This is a frequent questionraised in many of our minds. This isan experimentation lead whileinitiating the “Thagavalagam - ICT forPoor” theme during 2001. In mostcases, ICT seems to be a support toolfor Management of InformationSystem (MIS) and other developmentactivities. But here are some exampleswhere ICT contributes more forpoverty reduction.

Enabling the rural community isone of the tools for poverty reduction.The Thagavalagam theme using thistool through ICT enables many ruralwomen and men to get out of theirfamily poverty.

The rural community, especiallywomen, do not get any opportunity togo out of their village and get highereducation. There are many factorsrestricting their entry into the IT field.• In most cases, the facility to

enroll for the courses is far fromthe village and hence restrictingmost of the women to attain theIT education.

• In some cases, rural girls aregoing to colleges, but they are notable to involve in InformationTechnology field on because ofthe high cost involve incompleting computer courses.

• In some cases, language is abarrier.

• In some cases, they are gettingeducation, but are not able toenter and succeed in their jobsbecause of their level of practicalexposure.

• Thagavalagam breaks all thesebarriers through its VillageInformation Centers (VICs).

• The Village Information Centersare established at the villagelevel in a common building; it isthus easy for the community,especially married women, toeasily attain an IT education.

• The Thagavalagam VillageInformation Centers are creatingopportunities for the ruralcommunity by offering a six-month diploma course, Diplomain Computer Application (DCA)for Rs.900 and short term coursesat Rs. 100

• The Village Information Centersoperators are from a rural

background. It is very easy forthem to be involved with therural student and handle coursesin their own language. Thereading materials are alsoprovided in the local language.

• The Village Information Centershave workbooks with differentformats for them to use forpractical sessions hence they getmore exposure in softwareoperation. While undergoing thecourse, the students are gettingapprenticeship as a data entryoperator in local Government andprivate institutions; they are alsogetting familiarized to local workdemands which help them to bemore productive once they gettheir employment opportunity.

Do these courses reduce poverty?The answer is yes, on an average everyyear; each center creates employment

Technology

*A. Muthukumarasamy, Senior Project Executive, ICT Theme, DHAN Foundation, Melur, Tamil Nadu.

Can ICT contribute for Poverty Reduction?

A. Muthukumarasamy*

13

opportunities for 5 to 7 members ofthe rural community, especially forhousewives. Housewives havecompleted the course earn Rs. 2500 -Rs. 3000 as salary and contribute thisas additional income for their families.

The following table shows thedetails of the enrolment of six monthsdiploma courses through 20 VillageInformation Centers of KottampattiICT location. (From 2004 to 2007)

The number of rural people whogot employment opportunity (280)seems to be small for the past fouryears, but there are also more studentsbetween 1500 and 1800 who havecompleted short term courses and areworking as VIC operators.

How Thagavalagam claims that the

courses offered reduce poverty?

The Thagavalagam VillageInformation Centers havecomprehensive data about the village.First, the VIC operators approach theKalanjiam and Vayalagam familymembers to enroll for the courses.Then, they conduct regular door todoor canvassing and visit villagehouseholds and encourage them toenroll for the diploma courses. Theyalso ensure that the poor (those whoare not able to get the opportunity) are

also enrolling in their center. After thecourse completion, the hub centershelp them to get employmentopportunity as a computer operator.The employment providesconsiderable income for theunemployed persons.

The Thagavalagam Centers havesystems for tracking the students whohave completed the courses; thismakes the centers different from otherprivate centers. The operators have

complete information ofthe students completingthe courses, theopportunities available,and the opportunityattained by the students.

Sekkipatti Thagavalagam

Village Information

Center:

Sekkipatti is a bigpanchayat in Kottampatti Block. TheThagavalagam programme wasinitiated as an Adult LiteracyProgramme (ALP) center during 2004in the Kalanjiam Cluster office. Laterthe ALP center was converted as aVillage Information Center (VIC) ina rented building near the mainvillage. The ALP operator,Ms. Venikala, identified five poorstudents and formed an ICT group(Ms. Rajee, Ms. Thilagam,Ms. Malathi, Mr. Dharma andMr. Mahendran). The group wastrained in computer operation andteaching. Once the center wasconverted as a VIC, Ms. Venikala, theALP operator, transferred to anotherVIC in V.Pudur village ofKottampatti. The five group membersmanaged the VIC at Sekkipatti for thefirst six months and shared theirincome. Later, Mr. Dharma got an

employment opportunity in Tanjoreand Mr. Mahendran got transferred toKarunkalagudi Village InformationCenter as an operator, now he isworking in Ramnad Region as a MISperson. Ms. Malathi became theoperator of the Sekkipatti VIC, Ms.Thilagam became the operator of thePattur VIC, and Ms.Rajee gotemployment opportunity as a facultyof the Melur Hub Center. Currentlyshe is supporting all VICs inKottampatti location as a coordinator.

Now Ms. Elami, one of thestudents of the Sekkipatti VIC, is theoperator of Sekkipatti VIC and theVIC has successfully celebrated fouryears of operation.

In Sekkipatti Village InformationCenter, about 44 students from thesame village completed the diplomacourses and 26 students gotemployment opportunity through theVIC. Out of this, 15 are women.

Recent government initiative,CSC (Common Service Center)prefers our students as an operator forthe center. During the first month ofthis initiative in Kottampatti aboutfive of our students/operator gotemployment opportunity as a CSCoperator and started earning Rs.3500/- per month.

Similar services are also offeredin all VICs of Thagavalagamprogramme and every year, many ruralwomen and men get employmentopportunities through ICT.

This article solely covers how theeducation service of the VICcontributes for poverty reduction. Theimpact of other services will followin the forthcoming newsletters.

Particulars Male Female Total

No. of StudentsCompleted theCourses

162 358 520

No. of Studentscurrently working

87 193 280

No. of studentsundergoing higherstudies

54 95 149

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Livelihoods

*M.B. Giridhar Goud, Team Leader, DHAN Foundation, Hyderabad

Promotion of Dairy Based Livelihoods in Nalgonda

M.B. Giridhar Goud*

1.0 Background

In Nalgonda district of AndhraPradesh, DHAN Foundation initiatedits programmes in the year 2000 withthe invitation of DistrictAdministration. At first, DHANinitiated the tank programme in twocascades of Chityal mandal. Later, in2001, the Kalanjiam programme wasinitiated in Narayanpur mandal withthe basic purposes of:

• Strengthening existing self helpgroups (SHGs) and promotingnew SHGs with left out poorfamilies.

• Promoting cluster and mandallevel federation to supportprimary groups.

• Linking people institutions tomainstream financial and otherdevelopmental institutions.

Since then, DHAN’sintervention in Nalgonda has createda greater impact on lives of the poorcommunities. DHAN has promotedpeople institutions at different levelsand expanded tank and bankprogrammes to three mandals(Narayanpur, Chityal, andChoutuppal). With the DHAN’sunique approach of generationconcept, the locations have diversifiedthe programmes into variousdevelopmental activities likeagriculture input supply, procurementand marketing of agriculturecommodities, drought mitigationprogrammes, organic farming, water

and women programmes, andaddressing social issues. Apart fromthese activities, a dairy programmewas initiated in a phased manner tobenefit more people.

The dairy programme waslaunched on the occasion of women’sday, 8th March, 2007, with MoUbetween three partners, NarayanpurKalanjia Samakya, Jersey Cream LineDairy, and DHAN Foundation. Theexperience of the dairy programme isvery positive.

2.0 Need for dairy programme

The working context being rural,most of the people depend on rainfedfarming. A shortage of rainfall makesagriculture a vulnerable livelihood ofsmall and marginal farmers. Thesesituations make the poor sections of

the community migrate to metropolitancities or otherwise undertake toalternative livelihoods such as truckdrivers. The migration and changing ofoccupations has made thesecommunities very vulnerable to severehealth problems like HIV/AIDS.Some of the small and marginalfarmers, landless labourers, and otherpoor sections of the communitydepend on dairy as a secondary sourceof income for their livelihood. Oftenthe members are dependent onmiddlemen and unwanted marketchain for marketing of milk. Theycannot demand better prices from themiddlemen, making dairy activities aless attractive livelihood option. Thiskind of attitude is not an exceptioneven to Kalanjiam and Vayalagammembers. The rural sector traditionallydepends on dairy as a supplementary

15

activity for their livelihood. Theavailable credit in the group was takenby the members who prefer topurchase buffaloes. But, due todrought and change of livelihood, themembers could neither get the surplusincome to meet their consumptionneeds nor repay the loan amount.Hence, they became defaulters orirregular in repaying loans. Thissituation, in later stages, even led toselling off their buffaloes.

DHAN Foundation promotedabout 600 Kalanjiam groups inNarayanpur, Choutuppal, and Chityalmandals of Nalgonda district over thelast 7 years and established linkageswith various commercial banks toprovide credit services. Many of themembers are able to improve theirexisting income generating activities.In spite of the successful linkages withlocal banks for financial services,members often faced the challenge of‘credit absorption’ due to lack ofbusiness development and supportservices like marketing or valueaddition of their produce. Dairyactivity was found to be potentialactivities which women of Kalanjiamcan take up as a good source ofsupplementary income to begin with,in Nalgonda district. The concentratedefforts and appropriate investments inbuilding the capacity of these women,providing input services coupled withsustained marketing support, will helpthe women to evolve as dairy farmers;this can become a primary source ofincome and livelihood which will notonly contribute to enhancement ofindividual household income but alsodevelop the regional or local economy.To address the above situation and tocreate a demand system among milkproducers, the introduction of dairyprogrammes is needed in workingareas.

3.0 Purposes for Initiation of Dairy

Programme

The following are the broadpurposes of collaboration betweenDHAN Foundation, Jersey Diary andPeople Samakhya.

1. Institution building formanaging the businesslinkages: As a part of buildingthe people organization forpromoting dairy development,there is a need to promoteprimary producer groups andproducer companies of womenwho would take up dairy as theirprimary source of livelihood overa period of time. Members ofdifferent Kalanjiams who areinterested in taking up dairyactivity as a primary activitywould promote the primaryproducer group at the village orvillage panchayat level. Theproducer company is a federationof primary producer groups(PPGs) in a block level whichwould ensure the marketinglinkages and other institutionallinkages to sustain the businessoperations.

2. Capacity and skill building ofwomen in dairying: Manywomen take up dairying as asupplementary activity; they donot focus much on itsimprovement and do not see itbecoming viable over a period oftime. As a result, the productivityof their animals become poor dueto low maintenance, and often,the earnings are negative for thewomen. In order to makedairying viable, there is need toenhance the skills, and businessperspectives of the women tobecome dairy farmers. There is aneed for building the capacitiesof the women with both technicaland social inputs for betterproduction practices which leadsto a viable dairy industry in thelong run.

3. Input and support services fordairy development: Dairydevelopment in most backwardregions like Nalgonda district,which are traditionally not dairytracts, need larger investments interms of veterinary care, artificialinsemination services to enhance

16

the quality of breeds, and animalhusbandry practices includingfeed and fodder supply at thevillage level. This would requirea focused and organized effort inthe initial years until theminimum scale of operations areachieved for viability.

4. Marketing linkages andinstitutional mechanism: Themost important aspect of dairydevelopment is establishingsustainable market linkageswhich would ensure assuredpurchase of milk at a better pricewhich makes the farmingsustainable. There is a need foran institutional arrangement toensure this even before thewhole project is being initiated.This is a precondition for thesuccess of the project.

Role of Partners

The dairy activity wasimplemented as a tripartite partnershipbetween the Samakya, DHANFoundation, and Jersey. The role ofeach partner as follows.

1. Samakhya (KalanjiamFederation): Samakhya acts asthe local implementing agency

and coordinates the field leveloperations like appointing dairyassociates, promoting the PPGsand producer companies andensuring financial linkages forpromotion of dairy developmentby members through timelycredit. Samakya identifies theneed-based capacity-buildingprogrammes at various levels andprovides them with the supportof partners. It ensures timelyprogress proposed in theagreement.

2. Jersey Cream Line Dairy Ltd:As a promotional effort topromote dairy development thepromotional costs are met byJersey. It also ensures continuousmarketing support and linkagesfor ensuring better prices for themembers. It provides technicalinputs, veterinary care andsupport for enhancing the qualityof milk production and dairydevelopment in the district.

3. DHAN Foundation: As afacilitating agency, it buildsneeded linkages with variouspartners to make thiscollaboration work. It providestechno-managerial support andguidance for promotion of PPGs

and producer companies. Itensures timely linkages withbanks and insurance companies.Business development input andcounseling for members will beprovided as part of businessdevelopment services tomembers of groups.

5.0 PPG Activities

The primary responsibility of eachPPG is to ensure quality productionof milk and procurement from eachmember. The PPG provides neededinputs for fodder and feed atsubsidized prices to the member.Based on the potential quantity ofmilk, the PPG maintains the main andsub centers for its activities. The PPGprovides capacity buildingprogrammes to its members with thesupport of Samakya and DHAN. Itensures the insurance of its membersand their buffaloes. The PPG wouldensure enrollment of all milkproducers of Kalanjiam andVayalagam members. Each PPGorganizes a monthly general bodymeeting and three executivecommittee meetings in a month,before the disbursement of payment.It reviews the performance of workinggroups and staff. It monitors theaccounts of the main and sub centers.

6.0 Process Followed for Formation

of PPGs

Step 1: Defining the GeographicalBoundaries of PPG

Before initiating the programmeDHANites collected the data ofKalanjiam and Vayalagam milkproducers and potential milkprocurement from them. We alsogathered the milk procurementpotential data from other producers inthe village. We worked out that aminimum of 100 liters procurement

17

per day is the viable size for runningthe PPG. Based on this background,we identified the potential PPG areasand defined the boundaries.

Step 2: PPG Concept Seeding

At the inception of theprogramme, the staff of DHAN,Samakya, and Jersey dairy madechoice of a campaign mode approachfor concept seeding on PPG. For thiswe organized focused groupdiscussions with our producer’s familymembers. We met the village eldersand clarified the purpose of thepartnership to initiate the programme.We clarified queries and doubts raisedby the members. This process wenton very intensively with all partners.

Step 3: Enrollment of Members inPPG

The interested members and thosewho were able to come out from theexisting linkages were enrolled asmembers of PPG on payment of themembership fee. In the beginning, weensured a minimum of 50 per centmembership enrollment in PPG. Theefforts are continued for enrolling allthe Kalanjiam and Vayalagam milkproducers by clarifying their doubts tobecome the members in PPG. All thefarmers whoever gets enrolled in PPGcomprise the ‘General Body’ and ‘A’category members.

Step 4: Evolving Policies in PPG

The General Body of the PPGdiscussed the required componentsand evolved the policies. The policiesare the guiding principles for thegroup.

Step 5: Identifying the CapitalInvestors as ‘B’ Category Members

Among the ‘A’ category members,whoever is interested to invest in the

business capital and ready to take therisk and responsibilities to run themilk centers are identified as ‘B’category members.

Step 6: Selection of ExecutiveCommittee

A combination of ‘A’ and ‘B’category members in 1:3 ratio isselected as Executive Committee ofthe PPG.

Step 7: Formation of WorkingGroups

Among ‘B’ category members, theworking groups are formed to take updaily activities of PPG. The workinggroup performs the followingfunctions:

• Daily monitoring of main and subcenters.

• Acts as milk procurementincreasing committee.

• Veterinary medicines and foddersupply.

• Resource Mobilisation andTrainings.

Step 8: Opening of Savings Bank(SB) account

In the name of PPG, Savings Bankaccount wouldbe opened withjoint signatory ofP r e s i d e n t ,Secretary andTreasurer in an e a r b yc o m m e r c i a lbank. Thet r a n s a c t i o nwould be heldthrough chequeonly.

7.1 Functions of Main Centre(MC) The main centre would beestablished based on the minimumprocurement of 100 liters per PPG.Each PPG established one main centrefor procurement and marketing milk.Each PPG established 1 to 3 subcenters based on the nearest distanceand availability of milk. The centreprocures the milk and does the fat testfor each member’s milk for fixing theprice. It maintains the accounts of MCand SC. Every 10 days, it distributesthe milk payment to the members.

7.2 Functions of Sub Centre(SC) Sub centers are part of the maincentre. For regular functioning of theSC, a separate executive committeewas formulated. It functions like MCexcept testing of individual milk fat.Except bank account, all otheraccounting systems are followed inSC. The SC would be graduated asMC when the quantity of milkprocurement reaches 100 liters perday. Every 10 days, the payment isdone at SC by the EC.

8.0 Structure of PPG

8.1 General Body: TheKalanjiam and Vayalagam milkproducers who are enrolled in the PPGare called General Body or ‘A’category members of PPG.

7-9 E.C

‘B’Category

‘A’Category

Fig: Structure of PPG

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8.2 ‘B’ category members: Themembers who would like to put theinvestment and ready to take the riskand responsibility are called ‘B’category members.

8.3 Executive Committee: On1:3 combinations of ‘A’ and ‘B’category members, the EC would beformed. The EC would take theresponsibility to organize the regularactivities of the PPG.

9.0 Profit Allocation in PPG

Every year the PPG would be doprofit allocation after externalauditing. The profit of the PPG wouldbe allocated as 4 parts as shown in thefigure.

9.1 Source of Income at PPG

The PPG gets profit from thefollowing sources.

• Rs. 0.50 per liter as commissionfor marketing milk.

• Sample milk

• Excess milk – Whileprocurement from individualfarmers.

• Feed supply to the members.

• Service charges for veterinarycare.

• Local sale of milk.

10.0 Status of Dairy Activity

So far the progress of the activityis as follows.

Out of 715 dairy animals, 517animals belong to Kalanjiam andVayalagam members who are the milkproducers and milk is supplied to thevarious marketing people. Out of theefforts of the staff, 258 members couldcome out of the present market chain,got enrolled in 17 PPGs, and aresupplying milk directly. A total of 615producer families are benefit from thisactivity, including non Kalanjiam andVayalagam. Other producers in thevillage are also benefiting bysupplying the milk to the PPGs. Each

PPG established one MC and SCbased on the potential of milk. Atpresent, 17 MCs and 9 SCs areestablished for procurement andmarketing milk. From March 2007 toNov 2008, a total of 6.85 lakhs litersof milk procured an average of 1,088liters per day. Many centers wereinitiated with a very small amount ofmilk was procurement. After gainingthe trust of the producers, the averagemilk procurement has reached to1,800 liters per day. A total of 109.60lakhs turnover has been done in a 21-month period. Apart from this, 35veterinary camps were organized andtreatment was done for 1,771 animals

for different ailments, vaccination, andgeneral treatment. A total of 41,050kg of fodder has been supplied to themembers with subsidized price. FiveMCs have been equipped withcomputerized milk testing facilities.

11.0 Impact of the Programme

11.1 Getting right price andcreation of competitiveenvironment: Previously producersdepended on middlemen andgovernment dairies for marketingtheir milk. Due to exploitation by themiddlemen, and ineffective andpolitic disturbances of governmentdairy associations, the producers usedto get Rs.12 per litre from middlemenand a maximum of Rs.15 fromexisting formal associations. Thecollaboration efforts made to get rightprice to the farmers, ranging from aminimum of Rs.12 to maximum ofRs.24 per litre based on the fat. Thejersey always agreed to pay one rupeemore than other competitors on fatpercentage. The activity created alarge impact on the dairy market in theexisting mandals. The othercompetitors also hiked the price andstarted to work in competitiveenvironment.

11.2 Confidence amongKalanjiam members: In thepromotional phase of the location, themajor focus has been given tostrengthen the people institution atvarious levels and build up financiallinkages in a stronger sense. Later theprogramme started to diversify intovarious initiatives like bulkpurchasing of fertilizers, water andwomen based activity, organic farmingmanagement, marketing ofagricultural commodities andaddressing of various social issues. Inthe last year, the dairy initiative made

19

a large impact on the members totransform the microfinanceprogramme for the holisticdevelopment of the poor and gaveconfidence for their owndevelopment. The programme createdmore trust among the members tocontinue to be a member of Kalanjiamfamily.

11.3 Non members’ positiveattitude towards KalanjiamProgramme: The non-members ofKalanjiam and Vayalagam programmein the village are also benefiting fromthis programme by availing marketingfacility with best price. This activityhas changed their attitude in positiveway, earlier; they were looked atlooking as competitors.

11.4 Procurement accessibilityat village level: Earlier the formalsystem of milk procurement centerswas available in few villages. Thissituation compelled to manyproducers to depend on middlemenfor sale of milk at their door step atunjustified price. This initiativecreated accessibility of marketingfacility to 26 villages where there wasno such facility.

11.5 Ensuring timely andprompt payment: The middlemenalways used to withhold 15 dayspayment with them and pay onlyremaining amount to the producers.This situation made the producers notto go with other alternatives formarketing of milk on their own choice.The formal procurement centers alsoused to pay the amount once in amonth, often not on time. Thissituation made the producers becomeirregular in payment to the SHGs orother commitments. Often, membersdepended on the moneylender or othersources to meet their immediate

needs. In PPGs the system of paymentis once every 10 days, and timelypayment is ensured to the producers.This also enhanced the repaymentstatus in the SHGs by the producers,who were able to get help to purchasemore buffaloes and meet their needson time.

11.6 Involving members inbusiness activity: This created anopportunity for the members tobecome involved in businessactivities. The members could see theactivity on business perspective togain the knowledge for negotiatingwith mainstream market systems.

12.0 Learning

12.1 Strong existence of marketchain: Our assumption beforeinitiating the programme was that allthe producers of Kalanjiam andVayalagam would become a part of thedairy activity. In reality, only around50 per cent of the producers enrolledin the PPGs and are supplying themilk. The rest of the members couldnot come out of the existing marketchain for following reasons:

• In some cases the middlemenrelationship is stronger with theproducers from longer time andin some cases middlemen werenot ready to pay the pendingpayment to the producers.

• The existing government dairysystem is totally influenced bythe local politicians andthreatening the members foravailing the governmentbenefits.

• As the producers have loansoutstanding with middlemen andgovernment dairies, they are notallowed to supply the milk to thePPGs.

• Some producers have doubt oncontinuation of the centers intheir villages as they have theexperience of winding up ofprocurement centers aftersometime.

12.2 Daily monitoring and support

Dairy activity needs dailymonitoring of the PPG leaders andstaff of the federation. If the activityis neglected even for a day, the damagewould be very high. The leaders andstaff of the PPG need to be committedto run the activity. The partners shouldwork closely to address any issues ontime.

12.3 Potential to upscale anddiversity

The activity has large potential togrow by including left out Kalanjiamand Vayalagam producers and othersections of the producers in thevillages. This would enhance theanimal population in the villages andwould bring economic vibrancy in thelives of the poor and the village. Theactivity also has large potential fordiversification to promote dairy-basedallied PPGs and sub activities likemaking local feed mixture, leasing oflands for growing grass, Azollaplanting, opening of Jersey productoutlets to urban Kalanjiam members,and providing veterinary services.

12.4 Exclusive staff structure

At the time of initiation of theprogramme, the existing staff(Kalanjiam and Vayalagam) wasinvolved to take up the concept ofdairy activity by the producersthemselves. In promoting theprogramme, the existing grassrootsstaff involvement is needed to

20

implement the project. In later stagesof implementation, exclusive staff isneeded to take the programme to thenext level. The Samakya has taken thisinto consideration and has takenefforts to recruit new staff forgrassroots dairy programmes.

12.5 Keeping excitement of themembers and attracting othermembers

Through diversification ofmicrofinance programme intobusiness activity, the existingmembers’ motivation level could becontinued and this would help theprogramme to retain its membership.The other producers and members inthe village are attracted towards theservices provided by the programme.There is a need to take up such kindof activities to keep up the uniquenessof the programme in the field ofmicrofinance.

12.6 Keep up moral values andethics of members and staff

Any kind of business activitywould sustain when the activity isbased on the morals, values, and ethicsof the members, staff, and otherstakeholders in the activity in additionto standard business systems andprocedures. To keep up such behaviorat all levels; the promoting agencyshould follow different mechanismssuch as orientation on business ethicsand various disciplinary measures tokeep the activity vital, viable, andsustainable.

12.7 No aggressions in loaning

At the time of initiation of theprogramme, the members used tothink about this as a credit-basedactivity. Once the members got used

to all the systems and procedures inimplementation of the programme,they began enjoying the benefits of theprogramme. Now, timely creditrequired for the activity is providedthrough various sources.

12.8 Closely working with partners

The partners should work closelywith each other every day. This wouldhelp in resolving issues andmaintaining the positive relation forlonger periods.

12.9 Technical Knowledge

Over a period of time, themembers and staff should gaintechnical knowledge to understand allthe dimensions of dairy developmentfor effective implementation of theprogramme.

12.10 Dairy products outlet

The collaboration with JerseyDairy would enhance to provideoutlets of dairy products for urban andrural Kalanjiam members.

13.0 Challenges

13.1. Cent per cent enrollment ofmembers: At present not all dairyproducers of Kalanjiam andVayalagam members are enrolled asthe members of PPGs. The teamshould bring all the members intoPPGs by addressing the stated reasons.

13.2 Meeting credit demand: Toenhance the productivity of the milk,the programme needs additional andexclusive credit support for themembers. The regular bank linkageprogramme is not sufficient to meetthe demand of the members. Topurchase a new animal, a member

needs Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 creditsupport. Hence, the programme needsto mobilise Rs. 50.00 lakhs to increasethe animal population by 200 animalseach year. This is a challenging taskto mobilise the required amount andmaintain the portfolio without risk.

13.3 Setting up daily monitoringmechanism: The programme needsdaily attention and monitoring. Theperformance of the activity dependson the monitoring system establishedat all levels. The daily performanceof the centre should be assessed andthe problems need to be rectifiedimmediately.

13.4 Expanding programme toremote villages: The interior tribal(Lambada tribe) villages do notengage in dairy activities. The villageshave the resources and potential toinitiate and develop dairy activities.Most of them hold small and marginalland, which is not sufficient to meettheir regular needs, and their oftenmigrate to Hyderabad and near bytowns for alternate livelihoods. Toaddress it, a viable size of themembers should be identified andprovided with credit support to takeup dairy activity.

14.0 Way forward: At present theprogramme is in the promotionalphase. The lessons and experiences ofthis phase should be consolidated forfuture implementation of theprogramme. The stakeholders of thisprogramme should work continuously.The PPGs’ capacities would be builtup and promoted as ‘producercompanies’ by the end of promotionalphase. Within five years, the activityshould be able to procure 10,000 litersin a day and 20% of the memberswould be promoted as dairy farmers.

21

Event

*S. RamKumar, Programme Leader, CHRD, DHAN Foundation, Madurai.

Workshop on Mentoring

S. RamKumar*

Centre for Human ResourceDevelopment (CHRD) had

organised a workshop on mentoringduring one of the RegionalCoordinator’s (RC’s) meeting on June6, 2008. It was organised in threemodules. More than 35 participantsparticipated in this workshop fromvarious states. Ms.M.Uma Ranidesigned the workshop. Mentoringexperience in DHAN collective wasanchored by Mr. V. Venkatesan.Mentoring mechanism in workplacewas detailed by Mr. S. Ramkumar. Itfocused on building our knowledge onmentoring through sharing by threepairs of mentors and mentees. Thethree pairs who shared their personalexperience in the mentoring processwere• Mrs. Raghini -

Mr. P. Krishnamurthy• Mr. S. Singarayar –

Mr. R. Janakiraman• Prof. C. R. Shanmugam –

Mr. M. Palanisamy

They focused their sharing on theirexperience and what they learnt in thementoring process, and how they wereable to transfer their knowledge totheir younger colleagues in a naturalway. There was intensive interactionand clarification from the participantson the experiences shared by thementor and mentee. Then Mr. M. P.Vasimalai gave a summary of how anideal mentor and mentee processcould be and he suggested having gooddocuments of minimum of five pairsmentor and mentee every month.

The second module was onmentoring in the work place. It wasfacilitated by Mr.S.Ramkumar. Itfocused on the process of mentoringin DHAN Foundation and howDhanites in various levels arebenefiting from mentoring. In thismodule, the participants were madeinto three sub groups to discuss thedesign for mentoring in DHANFoundation, and roles of variousstakeholders in the process;participants were also able tocontextualize the mentoring processat various levels.

A mentor is the one who teaches,while a mentee is one who is willingto learn. A mentor has the passion,heart, and commitment to guide andhelp younger colleagues and developthem to be good mentor. To be a goodmentor, one needs to know about thementees very well. A mentor is deeplyrooted in the organisation.

Mentoring is not “I give-Youtake”, but it is about effectivecommunication and a skill to developthe mentee. If the mentees say that

they are following your experiencesas a learning opportunity to them, thenyou have already mentored themwithout a formal process. It is theprocess of building mutual beneficialpartnership for developing skills,insights, behaviour, culture, andcommitment. Mentoring is more of apractice than a theory or a concept. Itis the process of senior persons orexperienced persons who are deeplyrooted and committed to guide anddevelop younger colleagues.

The third module focused ontheorizing the concepts of mentoringin DHAN’s context. There were 10pictures developed on the mentoringconcept. Relevant pictures along withthe explanations for the concepts wereput in the form of a book and it waspresented and given to the participantsfor discussion. All the modules werefacilitated by CHRD with the help ofpanelist who gave the suggestions forfurther refinements. At the end of theworkshop, planning process byinvolving mentoring in various placeswas discussed.

22

The project on endogenoustourism is part of a growing GOI-UNDP partnership to promote newand innovative approaches to buildlivelihood opportunities throughcommunity action. Its focus, withinthe Rural Tourism Programme of theMinistry of Tourism, is on the cultural,craft, and ecological dimensions ofrural life as a means to create viablelivelihood opportunities, especiallyfor women and disadvantaged groups.DHAN Foundation, being theimplementing agency of the ruraltourism project in Karaikudi, hasclearly defined its pathways for thesuccess of community managedtourism.

Vision

Revival of Chettinad arts andculture, and restoration of heritagebuildings for the cultural continuitythrough vibrant interaction with thepresent day diverse globalcommunities.

Objective

Creating a community-managedheritage tourism model and theenterprises for providing livelihoodfor local communities by reviving andrestoring the local arts, architecture,crafts, and heritage water bodies ofChettinad.

Tourism based Livelihood

Interventions

Heritage Corner

* Er. Karthick Gopal, Project Executive, DHAN Foundation, Kariakudi, Tamil Nadu.

Highlights of Karaikudi Endogenous

Tourism Project

Er. Karthick Gopal*

1. Institution Building forSustainable Tourism

DHAN Foundation in Karaikudi isworking at grassroots by organisingCraft community by forming activitygroups and strengthening peopleorganisation for women development.During the implementation of theproject, 32 activity groups have beenpromoted with 368 artisans. Onehundred and five women SHGs havebeen promoted, reaching 1,550 poorfamilies. The institutions promoted byDHAN Foundation at the EndogenousTourism Project (ETP) site-Karaikudi, with different arts andcrafts is as follows:

The institutions promoted wouldconstitute a federation of KalanjiamSHGs, which would be linked with the

producer company, comprising ofartisans. This model would involvemulti stakeholders comprisingGovernment officials, financialinstitutions, tourist guides, and theleading Chettiar community. Thismodel would serve the purpose ofeach and every entity, in itself,keeping in mind that the model alwaysensures sustainability of theinstitutions, and carries the richcultural heritage of Chettinad to thetourists, with their established ethics.

The representatives of each entityhave been constituted as ChettinadTourism Development Committee.This committee, would work for thedevelopment of the tourism, based onthe need and would approach variousagencies or departments to fulfill the

23

requirements. The members of thiscommittee are the electedrepresentatives of the panchayats(their role will be discharging theduties, as per the requirements;approaching the government agencies,especially for infra-structuredevelopment); artisans (based on thetourist requirements, they wouldcreate different products, upgradetheir skills); representatives fromtourism department (They wouldconsolidate the demands, based on theinputs, would draw plans, support theinitiatives, by linking the circuits);home stay groups (based on thedemand, would modify the packages,provide the tourists a memorableexperience of Chettinad); guides(would work with ethics). DHANFoundation (would facilitate thecommunity, guide them and ensureswhether everything is set right, until

everyone clearlyunderstands who they areand what they should do).

2. Employmentgeneration

Our primary objectiveis to tap the employmentopportunities throughtourism and benefit thelocal community. Keepingin mind that tourism is asource of livelihood,various skill buildingprogrammes have beenorganized in the trades thatwould be an employmentprovider in the tourismsector. At present, ourinitiatives have providedemployment opportunitiesto the hospitality groups(with 40 beneficiaries).These women, though

involved in seasonal jobs, couldclearly visualize the impact on povertythrough tourism. These women areinvolved in activities such asproducing snacks; preparing authenticChettinad cuisine, demonstratingcrafts, and welcoming guests. One ofthe most important tourism-relatedskills is guiding. DHAN Foundationhas organized the guide trainingprogramme, benefiting six local youth.This would ensure them employmentstarting from this season.

3. Increase in Income throughMarket Linkages and AdditionalSkill Building

Through the skill-buildingprogrammes, women artisans wereable to increase their income not onlybecause of their new skills, but alsobecause of the market linkageopportunities provided. One of the

primary producer groups in Chettinadcuisine made a turn over of Rs. 7500in the preparation of Chettinad snacks.Another such group has made a turnover of Rs. 50,000. The tourist arrivalshave provided a business opportunityto Chettinad cuisine groups forRs. 8,500.

Our weaving community artisanshave formed a Primary ProducerGroup (PPG), in which the turnoverof their Kandangi products isRs. 1,02,900 till date. These artisansachieved this through the touristarrivals and due to their participationin various exhibitions organized in thestate, Dilli Haat, PATA Exhibition,Hyderabad.

The market linkage opportunityoffered to hand made Athangudimaking artisans is for Rs. 36,000. Onecould visualize the benefit realizationof all these artisans through theiractivities when the tourist visits theirwork.

To ensure that the communitybenefits through the tourist arrivalsand the tourists are being charged forthe services being rendered, thesystem of collecting entrance fee fromthe tourist has been set. To date, theweaving community, the Chettinadcuisine group, and the Athangudi tilemakers have got Rs. 8,300 from thetourists for the craft demonstration andfor helping the tourists to try thesecrafts in their hands.

4. Socio-economic Aspects ofLocal Population

Through the tourism project,DHAN Foundation has organized theunorganized artisan community. Wehave also focused on genderempowerment by promoting 105Kalanjiams reaching 1,550 poor

Group Names No. of Groups

1. Chettinad tourism development committee

22 members

2. Chettinad cuisine 1 group(40 members)

3. Wood carving 1 group(10 members)

4. Athangudi tile making 5 groups(52 members)

5. Kandanki weaving 16 groups(216 members)

6. Kottan making 4 groups(40 members)

7. Egg-plastering 1 group(10 members)

8. Tourism women SHG 105 groups(1550 members)

9. Stone carving 1 group(10 members)

10. Community Guides 6 members

24

families. The total savings of theKalanjiam community isRs.19,87,602. The total loanoutstanding is Rs.24,59,616. Thisaccess to the credit facilities and theirhabit of savings has increased theirsocioeconomic status.

To ensure sound health by way ofsafe drinking water, around 139 artisanfamilies have been providedhousehold bio sand filters.

Tourism literacy has beenimparted to the community to makethem aware of the benefits of tourismto their villages and to their lives.Awareness camps on AIDS/HIV havealso been conducted.

5. Linkage withTravel Agent/ TourOperators

D H A NFoundation hasformed collaborationwith Madurai travelclub, an association ofhoteliers. A modelpackage tour has beenorganized so as to

send their guests to the project site. Atourism package has been developedand the pilot launching has been doneto understand better, getting feedbackfrom different sectors, and to evolveprofitability.

6. System for Maintenance ofFacilities for Tourist:

At present, there are certainfacilities made available for thetourists such as tourism marketingcenters and tourism informationcenters. These centers are owned bythe community. The expenses andincome of the community college fortourism and tourism marketing centreis maintained by the community.There is a transparent system of

accounting, maintained by themembers. A Tourism VillageKnowledge Centre has beenestablished at the project site incollaboration with Indian SpaceResearch Organisation (ISRO).

7. Publicity for AttractingTourist:

Brochures depicting the touristattractions have been prepared fordistribution. Documentation of theproject site and the art of makingAthangudi tiles have been taken aspromotional materials for marketingthe products. Documents on thevillage shandey and antique shopshave also been taken for attracting thetourists.

8. Launching of the TourismSite

All efforts have been taken toequip the community to own thetourism site. As an indication of givingthe total responsibility to thecommunity, the launching of the sitewas done. It is more than a buyer-seller meet, where the Chettinadtourism Development committee,took the total responsibility of theorganizing the events. This event hasprovided market linkages to variousartisans.

9. Estimate of Direct RevenueGeneration from our project

Revenue generation was donedirectly and indirectly. We couldmeasure a few of the components suchas the income through home stays,turnover of the arts and crafts, (boththrough purchase by tourists andthrough market linkages), entrance feeand donations given by the tourists,and vehicle usage. Through ourexperience, we have the data forrevenue generation, directly.

Sl.No. Particulars Revenue generation

(in Rs.)

1 Marketing of Kandanki sarees 1,71,900

2 Entrance fees 8,300

3 Donations of 130 Bio-sand filters( Safe Drinking water)

1,36,000

4 Chettinad cuisine turnover 66,000

5 Wood carving turnover 42,150

6 Athangudi tiles 2,36,000

7 Brass metal works 32,000

8 Home stays 10,32,000

9 Wages earned by local community by directemployment.

4,86,000

Total 22,10,350

25

Experience Sharing

*N. Venkatesan, Programme leader, Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

Flood damages on the tank irrigation system

N. Venkatesan*

Nature of damages caused by the floods to the tank structural components

(Figures are no. of tanks and those in parentheses indicate percentage to total)

S.No. Block

No. of tanksaffected

(sample) inthe block

Nature of damages in tank systems

Breachesin TankBund

Breachesin SupplyChannel

SiltSupply

Channel

Damages to

Sluicestructure

SurplusWeir

SurplusCourse

1 Thiruvalangadu 8 8(100) 1(12.5) 3(37.5) 3(37.5) 4(50) 3(37.5)

2 Kottampatti 7 7(857) 4(57.14) 3(42.86) 4(57.14) 2(28.57) 1(14.29)

3 Thirumangalam 4 3(75) 2(50) 2(50) 3(75) 2(50) _

4 T.Kallupatti 12 9(75) 4(33.33) _ _ _ 1(8.33)

5 Poondi 13 10(76.9) 4(30.77) 5(38.46) 2(15.38) 2(15.38) 2(15.38)

6 Melur 6 5(83.3) 2(33.33) 3(50) 2(33.33) 2(33.33) 1(16.67)

7 Singampunari 19 19(100) 5(26.32) 19(100) _ _ __

8 Thirukalukundram 21 19(90.5) 14(66.67) 9(42.86) 13(61.9) 13(61.9) 9(42.86)

Total 90 80(88.89)

86 (40) 44(48.89)

27 (30)

DHAN Foundation through itsDHAN Vayalagam (Tank)

Foundation has initiated the tankconservation works with thecommunity participation andownership in various places bymobilizing the farmers through itsnested institution Vayalagam model isused to address the issues identifiedin the area. Over years we have notfocused the flood issues in an isolatedmanner but integrated with the agendaof the community’s initiative andmanagement through its intervention.While promoting vayalagaminstitutions we observed in manyvillages that many tanks are gettingbreached frequently because of the

flooding situations. At the same timewe learned from the community thatthe villagers had their own responseand recovery system as traditionalapproach which has been practicedtime immemorial and cost effective.

Lot of local communicationsystems also was existed in thevillages through collective approachand management by the localleadership. They also knew how tomanage the flood situations either onthe temporary measures as responseand or permanent measures using localmaterial and knowledge. But all theseexpertise and system were gettingeroded once these structures were

transferred to the state. Communitylost its management system and themanagement of these structures isfacing lot of challenges due to theencroachment, urbanization,conversion to other uses and pollutionetc issues. In the other hand thevariations in the climate and seasonalso poses its implication on thesestructures as frequent flash floods andother damages and which internleading to breaking the linkagesamong tanks as cascades and drainingthe flood water to the drainage riversas waste and otherwise this waterwould have been stored in the tanksfor long time usage.

26

Rushing of stored water throughthe breaches in the tank bund causesdamages to standing crops, productivefarm land and dwelling houses. Thenature and extent of such damagesdepend on the location of breaches inthe bund. That is why in some tanks

(Figures in parentheses indicate percentage to total)

the farmers pro-actively cut open thebund at the appropriate place (breach-section) with the objective ofminimizing the damages. In sometanks, people cultivating theencroached land on the tank foreshorealso cut open the bund to save their

Out of 90 flood affected study tanks, 80 ofthem had breaches in their bunds. In all the tankstaken up for study in Thiruvalangadu andSingampunari Blocks, tank bunds have beenbreached. In addition to this, some tanks alsoexperienced damages to their sluices (27 tanks)and surplus weirs (25 tanks); supply channels of36 tanks have breached; surplus courses of 17tanks and supply channels of 44 tanks were siltedup heavily. The different kinds of damages causedby the fury of floods to the structural componentsof the study tanks are representedin Figure-I.

All the tanks are affected by damages to more than one of their structural components. It is needless to say that all the90 study tanks should have been further silted up due to floods causing more reduction of their capacity. As per a roughcost estimate, more than Rs.200 lakh is needed to bring back all the affected tanks to their functional level (not to theoriginal designed level),

Vulnerable locations and causes for breaches in the tank bund

Sl.No. Block

No. oftanks Iin

whichbund

breaches

No. of tanks

Location of breaches Causes for breaches in tank bund

sluice Surplusweir Other Hydraulic

Force

Cutting thebund by

Puttingwooden

planks inCalingula

weirFarmers Encroachers

1 Thiruvalangadu 8 4(50) - 4(50) 7(87.5) 1(12.5) 1(12.5) -

2 Kottampatti 7 4(57.14) - 3(42.16) 6(75) 1(12.5) - -

3 Thirumangalam 3 2(50) - 1(25) 3(100) 1(25) - 1(25)

4 T. Kallupatti 9 2(16.67) 2(16.67) 5(41.66) 9(100) 1(7.69) - 2(16.67)

5 Poondi 10 7(53.85) 2(15.38) 1(7.69) 6(48.15) 4(30.77) 2(15.38)

6 Melur 5 2(33.33) 2(33.33) 1(16.67) 5(100) - - -

7 Singampunari 19 9(47.37) 9(47.37) 1(5.26) 19(100) - -

8 Thirukalukundram 19 8(38.10) 9(42.86) 2(9.52) 14(19.05) 3(14.29) 1(4.77) 1(4.77)

Total 80 38(47.5)

24(30.0)0

18(22.5)

69(76.67)

11(12.2)

4(4.44)

4(4.44)

standing crops without caring for theinterest of the legitimate users of thetanks. In a few tanks, farmers have putwooden planks (instead of washablemud packing) in the calingula typeweirs causing the breach of bund dueto the tank storage topping over the

27

From the data furnished, it couldbe seen that 62 out of 80 breaches haveoccurred in the tank bund close to themasonry structures such as sluices andsurplus weirs. The weak bondingbetween the masonry structure and theearth material used for tank bundformation gives way for the creepingof water under pressure leading tobreach of bund. Any breach near thesluice naturally causes damage tomore cropped area and makes the land

eroded or sand cast. Because of thisreason, the inner slope of bund aroundthe structures like sluices and thesurplus weir are protected with stonerevetment in addition to providingstop walls along the upstream two

thirds of the sluice barrel length toform further obstruction to creep. Forsmall tanks, stop walls might not havebeen provided and hence they becomemore vulnerable for breach near thesluices, if the revetments are notpacked properly.

bund in vulnerable locations. Out of90 study tanks, 80 of them had breachof bunds.

The location of breaches in thetank bund is also a significant factorinfluencing the extent of damages, andthese details are presented in theFigure-II.

Sl.No. Block Name

No. oftanks

affected(sample) inthe block

No. of tanks

Encroach-ment inSupply

Channel

Encroach-ment in

TankForeshore

Encroach--ment inSurplusCourse

Heavysilting intank bed

Weakbund

Poormaintenanceof structures

HydraulicForce

1 Thiruvalangadu 8 _ 1(12.5) 1(12.5) 4 (50) 5(62.5)

2 Kottampatti 7 1 (14.29) 1 (14.29) 1(14.29) 7(100)

3 Thirumangalam 4 2 (50) 2(50)

4 T.kallupatti 12 1(8.33) 1 (8.33) 8(66.67) 2(16.67) 1(8.33)

5 Poondi 13 1 (7.69) 1(7.69) 2 (15.38) 3(23.1) 5(38.46) 1(7.69)

6 Melur 6 1(16.67) 1(16.67) 4(66.67)

7 Singampunari 19 10(52.63) 17(89.5)

8 Thirukalukundram 21 4 (19.05) 7 (33.33) 3 (14.29) 2 (9.52) 12(57.14) 5(23.81) 3(14.29)

Total 90 5(5.56)

10(11.11)

5(5.56)

5(5.56)

31(34.44)

29(32.22)

35(38.89)

Causes for flood damages to the tank systems

(Figures in parentheses indicate percentage to total)

Different casues attributed for the flood damages as perceived by the local people are given in Figure - III. Thoughthere are multiple reasons for the damage, the major reason assigned by the people is enormous hydraulic force” createdby the unprecedented heavy rains for long duration. This may be the misperception of people based on the generalfeeling, probably due to the horror with which they have directly seen the fury of floods. Had the tank systems been

28

S.No. Particulars

No. oftanks

affected(sample)

in theblock

No. of tanks

Crop damages Land damages

Fully Partially Sand cast Land eroded

No. oftanks

AffectedArea(ha)

No. oftanks

AffectedArea(ha)

No. oftanks

AffectedArea(ha)

No. oftanks

AffectedArea(ha)

1 Thiruvalangadu 8 8 5 350 1 2.5 1 2.5

2 Kottampatti 7 11.9 1 0.25 4 2 2 0.35

3 Thirumangalam 4 _ 1 2 _

4 T. kallupatti 12 11 83.25 12 33 4 1.7

5 Melur 13 5 2 0.25 4 4 3 27.5

6 Poondi 6 50 5 292.5 4 40 4 30

7 Singampunari 19 15 146.25 3 1 3 2

8 Thirukalukundram 21 446.5 10 527.5 2 27.5 2 35

Total 90 18 521.4 49 1400 31 112 19 99.05

Table: Damages to standing crops and Agricultural lands

maintained well with their designedcapacity and bund of standard size, therewould have been more flood moderationeffect to minimize the damages, thoughnot be able to avert the floods. Theperception that “the weak bund in 31(34.44%) tanks and the foreshoreencroachments in 10 (11.11%) tankscaused the floods” shows that the peopleare concerned about the propermaintenance of the tank systems to theiroriginal standards.

From the details of crop and landdamages furnished, it could be seen thatstanding crops have been fully damagedin 521.4 ha. and partially damaged in

1400 ha. Likewise 112 ha of farm land has been sand cast under 31 tanks, and 99 ha of productive land under 19 tankshave become eroded. Though the sand cast lands could be reclaimed at a reasonable cost depending upon the depth ofsand deposit, cost of the reclamation of eroded land will be prohibitively high. Such extensive damages to crop and landhave happened, because more breaches have occurred adjoining the sluices.

29

Livelihood

House wife become an entrepreneur

*Sangam – Self Help Group (SHG) promoted by Sri Padmavathy Mahila Abhyudaya Sangam (SPMS)

Parvathamma lives in Thathayyagunta of Tirupati. She has been a

member of Sri Vinayaka Sangam*since 1993. Before joining theSangam, she was a housewife and herhusband was the only earning memberof the family. He was a porter in thetown and would hire a bullock cart totransport goods. The income from theactivity was not sufficient to meeteven the basic needs of the familysince half of the earnings would go forpaying rent for the bullock cart. Shegot Rs. 2,000 as a first loan from theSangam and used it to purchase amanual drawn four wheeler woodencart for the purpose of undertakingfruit vending activity. She startedsupporting her husband in the activityand would go along with him forvending the fruits. After repaying thefirst loan she was eligible to borrowbigger loans like Rs.6, 000 and 10,000from the Sangam. She invested theseamounts in the economic activity andwas able to increase in family’sincome and improve its financialstatus. Since she found VinayakaChaturthi festival as a goodopportunity to earn money, sheventured into sugarcane vendingduring the festival period andcontinues to do so. She got timelyloans from Sangam for this purpose

and the new activity fetched goodreturns. Since this is a one-time peryear activity in which she is able tosell sugarcane in bulk, she was ableto repay the loan in a single instalmentimmediately after the festival. Overthe years she and her husband gainedexpertise in fruit and vegetablevending. They decided to enter intothe wholesale marketing of fruit andvegetables. For this she approachedher Sangam to lend her Rs. 40,000.Considering her past record of promptrepayment performance the Sangamapproved the loan. In 2002, sheopened a fruit and vegetableswholesale shop in Tirupati. Both sheand her husband look after the shop.Now their family gets regular incomethroughout the year.

She joined the Sangam as amember, and after considering hergood performance, the members of theSangam selected her as an officebearer of the Sangam. She is activelyinvolved in the group-level activitiesas a leader and has now become acluster-level leader. She really enjoysher role as a leader and interacts withthe members of other Sangams toresolve group level as well as personalproblems. With her own efforts sheformed a saving and credit group forchildren in her area; her daughter isalso one of the members. She has beenable to perceive a lot of positivechanges in herself since joining theSangam. In fact she is now recognisedand respected in her neighbourhood.

Centre for Development CommunicationDHAN Foundation

18, Pillaiyar Koil Street, S.S. Colony, Madurai - 625 016. Tamil Nadu, INDIA

Tel.: +91 - 452 - 4353983, 2610794, 2610805 Fax: +91 - 452 - 2602247

Email: dhanfoundation_tn@airtelmail.in Website: http://www.dhan.org

Heritage Water management Building on

of

Traditional system of water allocation and sharing was based on

custom, belief, and the concept of equity, as they perceived. By

appointing Neerkattis (water managers), they ensured smooth

sharing of water and minimized conflicts.

efore the advent of British rule, the local Bcommunities had the complete control

over water bodies. The village organisations

had well la id out rules and f ixed

responsibilities to mange water efficiently.

They employed persons to operate sluices

(Madaiyaans), distribution of water (Neerani,

Neerkatti or Kanduvetti). There were village

accountants, village watchmen (Kaval). All

these persons and the village artisans were paid

from the total produce of the village.

DHAN

Foundation's Vayalagam Tankfed Agriculture

Development Programme works on reviving

and strengthening such systems by

encouraging Vayalagams to appoint Neerkattis

for equitable water distribution.

Inscriptions of sangam period contain wealth

of information on water sharing, distribution,

water rights and responsibilities – the key

elements of water management.

Wisely conserved,justly distributed