Women weave a success story

Expressbuzz, Nov 21, 2009

BHAWANIPATNA: Barel y literate, women from Boridapa hamlet of Palsapada village under Narla block in Kalahandi, who joined hands and formed Maa Santoshi Mahila Mandal SHG, are now expert agriculturists.With the help of the Western Orissa Rural Livelihood Programme (WORLP), implemented by NGO Sahabhagi Vikas Abhiyan in the area, the SHG learnt about the dynamics of farming. The SHG was formed in 2005 with the help of the WORLP that provided them a revolving fund of Rs 20,000. Six months later, the SHG could get a bank loan of Rs 25,000 from SBI. The women utilised the funds for cultivating cotton and pisciculture on two acres of land.They could repay the loan after one and a half years and were able to get the second phase of funds of Rs 2,76,000 from the bank under the Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) at 50 per cent subsidy. The initial success was stimulus for new ventures. The group decided to take up banana cultivation in over five acres. With training in banana farming and assistance from the WORLP, the SHG is reaping profits now.SHG president Puspa Sahu said the members receive daily wages and they have cleared all the loans.During the current year, after repayment of bank dues, the group members have shared profit at the rate of Rs 20,000 per head besides depositing Rs 70,000 in savings bank account of the group. “This was only possible with the dedication of the SHG members and timely guidance by the WORLP,” she said.