Participatory Intervention Series
Paper 4

At first glance it is not immediately obvious that the lives of the poorer farmers of the scenic hills of Bargur are dominated by debts owed to the moneylenders of the plains  of Bhavani and Andiyur. In 1992, the activities of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra began to be extended to this compact block of around 20 villages, tucked away in a remote corner of Periyar District. MKVK’s strategy has been to work with groups rather than individuals (unlike the T & V System) and start with organising people into Self Help Groups that encourage people to discuss issues and problems as prioritised by them, rather than impose a pre-set delivery package of training and other services. Accordingly, the staff began to facilitate the formation and development of Self Help Groups of poor families. When people began to organise themselves and problems began to be discussed at group meetings, it soon became obvious that the Self Help Groups would have plentry to do to help people along the path of development.

The tamarind tree problem was one of the first issues that surfaced as a priority area for discussions at group meetings. Tamarind trees are fairly commonly seen in the area. In the earlier days they were not seen as assets but down the years they have become very precious because they provide a steady seasonal income of Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,000 per tree, on an average, which is a substantial amount for poor families. It is this quality of the tree that also enhances the "credit worthiness" of poor families in the eyes of the moneylenders. 

The moneylenders found an easy way of gaining control over the trees. They would advance a loan of a few thousand rupees to the tree owners against which the trees would be mortgaged to them. The fruits of the trees would be enjoyed by the moneylenders until the loan was cleared. There was only one condition attached to loan repayment : The entire amount would have to be paid back in one lumpsum; instalments were not accepted. Since most loans were taken to meet emergency needs and not for income generating purposes, and since all families were economically backward and not likely to realise cash of that quantum in one lumpsum, it was more or less obvious to both parties that the trees could remain in "bondage" forever.

The table that follows quantifies the status of 34 families belonging to 8 self help groups : [This is just a sample of the total problem]

* Loss of income has been calculated at the rate of Rs.1,000/- per tree for the period pledged.

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