The group lives in the East coast of India in the state of Andhra Pradesh. They belong to the fishing community and are dependent on the sea for their livelihood. Earlier they were dependent on Mangroves for livelihood. They used to cut the Mangroves and sell them to supplement their income.
Now the people of these villages have come together to be a part of ‘The Joint Mangrove Management Committee for conversing the mangroves. In order to enhance their livelihood opportunities to help them earn a regular income, M. S Swaminthan Research Foundation has facilitated the idea of starting micro-enterprises. The members of the group have taken up various micro-enterprises such as Fish vending, Rice Vending, Milk Vending Vegetable Vending etc., These enterprises gives a regular source of income. This additional income helps them in improving their economic status and in providing their children with better nutritious food, education and housing.
Status
Loan
amount fully repaid
Trichogramma
Production
Location
Reddiar
chattram village, Dindidgul,Tamil
Nadu.
Geographical
Map
The Group
Poomani
women Self Help Group
Date
of Loan Disbursement
July 2002
Loan Amount
Rs. 20,000
Activity
The group is producing "Trichogramme" Bio-pesticide, which protects the crops from attacks from pests. It is a very good substitute for chemical fertilizer and many farmers have started using 'Trichogramme' extensively. The group members have become successful entrepreneurs and as resource persons they are helping neighboring villagers to set-up Bio-pesticide units. This group has received an award at the YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUMMIT held at Alexandria, Egypt in September 2002.
Status
Loan
amount fully repaid
Hybrid
Seed Production
Location
Sevankarayanpatti
village, Kannivadi, Tamil Nadu
Geographical
Map
The Group
Jansi Rani Self
Help Group
Date
of Loan Disbursement
January 2001
Loan Amount
Rs. 8,350
Activity
An interest free loan from Duggal Family Bank was given to this group. They produced okra (Ladies fingers) hybrid seeds and marketed them initially in collaboration with the Indo American Hybrid Seed Company. Now they are marketing on their own to local farmers. This has become a very good source of income for the group. The members of this group had undergone training on various aspects of hybridizing horticultural crops.
Coir
Rope Making
Location
Pillaiyarkuppam
village, Pondicherry
Geographical
Map
The Group
Pattu Puzhu Valarpu
Magalir Munnetra SHG
Date
of Loan Disbursement
October 2000
Loan Amount
Rs. 20,000
Activity
The group started a coir-rope making unit by availing interest-free loan. Members of this group underwent training for six months with the District Industrial Centre (DIC). They have purchased two coir-rope making machines and they are able to use their skills successfully in making coir-rope. They were facing problems in marketing their produce.MSSRF as facilitated and helped the group in getting continous market for their produce.
Now the people of these villages have come together to be a part of ‘The Joint Mangrove Management Committee for conversing the mangroves. In order to enhance their livelihood opportunities to help them earn a regular income, M. S Swaminthan Research Foundation has facilitated the idea of starting micro-enterprises. The members of the group have taken up various micro-enterprises such as Fish vending, Rice Vending, Milk Vending Vegetable Vending etc., These enterprises gives a regular source of income. This additional income helps them in improving their economic status and in providing their children with better nutritious food, education and housing.
The group is producing "Trichogramme" Bio-pesticide, which protects the crops from attacks from pests. It is a very good substitute for chemical fertilizer and many farmers have started using 'Trichogramme' extensively. The group members have become successful entrepreneurs and as resource persons they are helping neighboring villagers to set-up Bio-pesticide units. This group has received an award at the YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUMMIT held at Alexandria, Egypt in September 2002. 
