|
PROGRESS REPORT FOR THE PERIOD
April 2002 to March 2003
The Germalam Area Development Project was initiated in 1992 with financial
support from Deutsche Welthungerhilfe, which continues to be its main
donor. The first phase of this project covered 68 villages, some
intensively and others partially. The current phase, referred to as the
second phase, extends upto June 2003. In this phase the project
interventions have extended to approximately 116 villages. The core
activities of the project have continued to remain the same through this
period, and they are :
-
Management of natural resources combining the watershed approach with
household farm development approach.
-
Organizing and empowering the poor through appropriate and self managed
institutions.
-
Community infrastructure development.
-
Basic support to health and education sectors.
-
Developing the project as a training center, for sharing lessons with
others.
Major Activities
Watershed and Farm Development
In the current year, the areas earlier earmarked for watershed development
were absorbed under the Government’s Integrated Wastelands Development
Project (IWDP). This enabled the Project’s own funds to be usefully
deployed in other locations. At the same time, the IWDP could begin
on a strong base of people’s institutions (SAGs and WDAs) already
organized by the Project. Under IWDP, the Project was also involved
in the registering and capacity building of Watershed Associations and the
participatory preparation of micro-plans.
That apart, 7 sub-surface dams (dykes) were constructed in
different locations to arrest the flow of sub-surface run-off and enable
greater percolation and seepage in upper reaches. One contour irrigation
system was established in Kottadai to enable 17 families to irrigate an
acre of land each; and two more such systems contemplated. Through
individual and community irrigation systems, irrigation coverage has
extended to 43 persons and 61.2 Acres. A programme of major impact has
been the protective fencing of agricultural lands, by which crops are
protected from elephants, wild boar, bear, and deer and input investments
actually translate into harvests. 671 acres have been protected. With the
support of the Agriculture Department, improved agricultural implements,
i.e. iron ploughs(262), levelers(5) and power sprayers(4) have been
distributed to as many farmers. Small livestock units consisting of
girirani birds have been created with 228 families while others have been
supported to own cows, sheep and goats. 16 animal health camps were
conducted. Three young women were trained at the Myrada Talavadi KVK
as veterinary promoters; unfortunately, all three gave up practicing after
a few months. For cattle shed improvement, 21 families have been
supported. Crop demonstrations were successfully carried out on several
crops and cropping practices with the support of government research and
training institutions. The project is increasingly focused on integrated
farm development, under which 389 farmers have been supported to take up a
diversified mix of 8 to 10 activities to improve overall farm
productivity. 133 vermi-compost units have been established, in addition
to 163 home gardens using micro-irrigation (bucket kit) technology. 966
families were supplied with metal bins/cement structures for scientific
grain storage, in collaboration with the Save Grain Campaign of India.
Local Level Institutions
The Project is currently working with 131 self help affinity groups, 12
watershed associations, 11 federations of self help groups and 18 school
committees. 30 groups were linked with banks for direct finance, and 40
groups received bank finance under the SGSY. 76 training programmes
were conducted in the year at the project campus for local level
institutions and community resource persons.
New Initiatives
|
COMMUNITY GODOWNS |
AGRICULTURE
SERVICE CENTRES |
|
As culmination of a long process of community
level dialogue, two large sized grain storage godowns were constructed
that are of great help to maize growers who otherwise have to engage
transport as well as rent space in nearby towns to store and sell
their produce. Having carried their produce to the town, they have to
sell at the price they get, whereas now they can negotiate the price
at their own doorstep. The godowns are being managed by federations |
Three Centres were
started some years ago, to make inputs available in this remote area
where otherwise people have to travel at least 45 kms. to make input
purchases. One is managed as a private enterprise and stocks several
products besides farm inputs, one is managed by a self help group and
gauging its performance, a private trader has established another
which is fiercely competing for the same business. The third is
managed by a federation and after several years of good service, it is
currently coping with a management problem which they are hopeful of
resolving soon. All three centers have achieved the purposes of their
establishment. |
COMMUNITY MANAGED INSURANCE FOR
HOSPITALISATION
With the area so far away from medical services, several federations
have come together to manage a hospitalization insurance programme
which covers a family of 5 for an annual premium of Rs.300 and covers
bills upto Rs.3,000 incurred on hospitalization. This is a new
initiative and currently has 700 subscribers. |
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE
Established in a remote village, it is staffed by a nurse and caters
to around 15 villages. A local family with relatives in America
contributes some money each month for its operating expenses. The
Sathyamangalam People’s Association donates materials and medicines
and the Federation manages the Health Centre
EDUCATING CHILDREN
9 children’s centres impart education to non school going children.
Two tribal schools have been supported with classrooms/dormitories. 21
teachers are being supported to supplement teaching in short-staffed
schools. 6 schools have been supported with UNICEF funds to put
up rainwater harvesting structures. In every case, community
involvement, including raising donations, has been substantial |
GRAMA SABHA
In Bedarapalya, the Project’s suggestion to the
village to make the Grama Sabha their own instead of viewing it as a
government requirement was very well taken. The Grama Sabha meets once
a month and has worked on a wide variety of issues that have included
rest for bullocks on Mondays, fixing of agricultural wages, sharing of
vessels with dalits, prevention of child marriage, getting houses for
houseless poor, raising money for temple construction, etc. Seeing
this, a few other villages have also initiated grama sabha meetings in
their own villages. No facilitation or support is expected from the
Project.
|
Other Programmes
128 persons have been trained in various vocational skills. 8 community
halls have been constructed where meetings, training programmes, social
events, etc. can take place. 110 families have been supported for house
construction and house repairs; 31 have been enabled to get home
electrification.
It must be mentioned that the self help groups are engaged in plenty of
activities on their own, not all of which is captured by the Project or
even known to the staff.
Staffing
The Project is currently working with 12 staff and there are no plans to
increase this number.
Concerns
The current phase closes as on 30th June 2003. While Deutsche
Welthungerhilfe is clear that it wishes to support another phase of work,
its own application for funds to the European Union is still pending;
hence, the availability of funds for Germalam is not clearly assured. At
another level, the presence of Mr.Veerappan in the forests of the area has
put a fair amount of restriction on movement within the area, which
impedes certain activities. In particular, it has affected staff retention
and the growth of the Project as a Training Centre.
********* |
