Formation and strengthening of Self Help Affinity Groups (SHGs/SAGs) :
Over 10,000 such groups have been promoted directly by MYRADA till date. Through the efforts of MYRADA and in collaboration with other institutions like NABARD, the State and Central Governments in India, and multi-lateral agencies like IFAD, UNDP, UNOPS, etc., the SHG concept has been transformed into a national and regional movement. As a result of policy influencing, lending regulations have been modified to include priority sector loans directly to SHGs and without asking for beneficiary lists or pre-formulated loan utilisation plans.
Membership in MYRADA-facilitated SHGs is over 160,000 of whom more than 95% are women. They control a Common Fund of over Rs.1.1 billion (own savings, interest earned on loans given to members, bank interest, etc.). They have advanced over 1.1 million loans amounting more than Rs.2.7 billion. Thus, they have created money in the hands of people, given them the choice to negotiate with others, to cope with adversities and to pursue their aspirations.
Resettlement of displaced communities:
Apart from the resettlement of Tibetan refugees that marked the origin of MYRADA, it has also enabled the resettlement of over 10,000 others (Srilankan repatriates, and released bonded labourers) on lands allotted by the Government. As a consequence of these experiences, MYRADA was also approached by and assisted the Government of Karnataka and assisted in the preparation of rehabilitation plans for around 20,000 families being displaced by a major dam project (the Upper Krishna Project).
Support for risk reduction measures
So that investments in economic spheres translate into actual increases in income. To give an example, in villages bordering forests there is no guarantee that investments in agriculture will result in better yields when the crops are subject to predation by wild animals. In rainfed drylands, without investment in soil and water conservation activities agriculture is a risky proposition. Hence, MYRADA strives to reduce such risks. Promotion of LEISA, fencing of crop lands in risky locations, construction of godowns and safe storage structures, promotion of mixed/alternate crops, post harvest value addition, life and asset insurance, etc. are some of the measures taken up on scale to reduce risks to the poor.
Promotion of non-farm skills and enterprise development
Ths is an area that MYRADA believes holds an answer to the threatened livelihoods of the rural poor in the current context of liberalisation and globalisation. The youth see a greater future in the manufacturing and services sectors when compared to dryland agriculture. MYRADA has successfully trained a number of young men and women who have since found employment as masons, electricians, plumbers, fitters, drivers, in the garment industry, as veterinary promoters, food product retailers, etc. In one location, MYRADA has also enabled a group of over 200 young women to set up a private limited company of their own – where they are the shareholders, managers, and workers – to assemble watch straps and make gold and silver jewellery. It has also set up a Technical Training Institute where boys and girls (including high school drop outs) can learn trades for employment in the industrial sector. Nevertheless, entrepreneurship development and training for employment in the non-farm sector remains an area in which MYRADA has to expand its investments and efforts.
Micro-finance activities :
MYRADA has always been clear that it should not compromise its development role with the role of a financier. On the other hand, besides continued and as yet unmet needs for credit by the poor, there is enormous space for innovation in the field of micro-finance that has not yet been tapped by mainline financial institutions. Hence, MYRADA has promoted a non-banking and not-for-profit micro-finance institution called Sanghamithra Rural Financial Services. In the relatively short time that it has been in operation (since January 2000), it is partnered with over 90 NGOs and has advanced credit of over Rs.2.6 billion directly to more than 6,000 SHGs (including repeat loans to the same groups). It is now well-known in the field of micro-finance and has started to independently command the attention of others in the field, who visit to learn from its systems and field practices.
