CHAPTER – V DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES OF BAIF AND IDS...

190

CHAPTER – V

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES OF BAIF

AND IDS NON GOVERNMENTAL

ORGANIZATIONS – AN ANALYSIS

This chapter deals with the Women Empowerment through BAIF and IDS

NGOs. The detail progress of BAIF and IDS NGOs as presented in this chapter.

5.1 Introduction:

BAIF Development Research Foundation (formerly registered as the

Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation), is a reputed voluntary organisation

established in 1967 by Dr. Manibhai Desai, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, at

Urulikanchan, near Pune to promote sustainable livelihood in Rural India.

BAIF is committed to provide sustainable livelihood to the rural poor

through management of natural resources and promotion of livestock

development, watershed development and agri-horti-forestry as major income

generation activities. BAIF is serving over 4.5 million poor families living in

60,000 villages spread over 16 states across the country through the dedicated

efforts of over 4500 employees. The major activities of BAIF are promotion of

dairy husbandry, goat husbandry, water resources development, sustainable

agriculture and agri-horti-forestry for rehabilitation of tribals on degraded lands

and various rural non-farm activities for generating employment for landless

families. Environmental sustainability and empowerment of women cut across all

these programmes.

BAIF has developed the Village Cluster Development Approach to reach

the poorest of the poor. This approach is a unique approach to identify the

problems and needs of poor families and introduce appropriate technologies and

services to solve them. To ensure sustainability, self help groups of men and

191

women of homogeneous socio-economic status have been promoted, who have

identified their needs and initiated various income generation activities and

community development initiatives with facilitation from BAIF.

Today, the multidisciplinary programme has enabled over 85% of

participating families in cluster development programme, to come out of poverty

through family-based enterprises. Increased value of farm produce through BAIF

programmes, contributes Rs. 2500 crores to the GDP. Many of these successful

programmes have been widely replicated through various on going Government

schemes.

5.2 Mission

BAIF's Mission is to create opportunities of gainful self-employment for

the rural families, especially disadvantaged sections, ensuring sustainable

livelihood, enriched environment, improved quality of life and good human

values. This is being achieved through development research, effective use of

local resources, extension of appropriate technologies and upgradation of skills

and capabilities with community participation. BAIF is a non-political, secular and

professionally managed organisation.

5.3 Genesis

In March 1946, Mahatma Gandhi visited a remote village Urulikanchan

near Pune to establish the Nature Cure Ashram (Nisargopchar Gram Sudhar

Trust), to promote rural upliftment and community health. The administration and

farm management of the Ashram were entrusted to his trusted disciple, Manibhai

Desai who had joined Gandhiji in the Quit India Movement, while working at the

Ashram. Manibhai interacted closely with the local farmers as well, to find

solutions for their problems and realised that small farmers need to be guided to

manage their agriculture as an enterprise. With the experience gathered in

agricultural development for two decades, Manibhai established a Charitable Trust

and named it as the Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation (BAIF), to transform

the livelihood of the rural poor. The foundation stone of BAIF was laid on August

192

24, 1967 by the-then President of India Dr. Zakir Hussain at Urulikanchan, near

Pune. Shri. Y.B. Chavan, the-then Union Defence Minister was the Chairman,

Shri. V.P. Naik, the-then Chief Minister of Maharashtra was the Vice Chairman

and Shri. Annasaheb Shinde, the-then Union Minister of State for Agriculture was

the Trustee and they served till 1977. Since then, Arvind Mafatlal is serving as the

Chairman, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, as the Vice Chairman. There are many

eminent persons with rich experience in different fields of socio-economic

development, serving as Trustees of BAIF. In 1989, the organisation was renamed

as BAIF Development Research Foundation, to emphasise our focus on

development research which calls for transfer of appropriate technologies along

with efficient systems and strengthening of the field network and grassroot level

organisations.

During his close association with Mahatma Gandhi, the Founder of

BAIF, late Dr. Manibhai Desai carefully captured the thoughts of

Mahatma Gandhi and adopted Gandhian values in the mission of BAIF,

which are our heritage• Mahatma Gandhi spent 8 days at Urulikanchan

to establish the Nature Cure Ashram in March 1946. During his

interaction with the villagers, he said “My work in Delhi is as important

as my work at Urulikanchan. Iyou don't build up Urulikanchan, you

cannot maintain Delhi”.

The programme should be on developing the poorest person with

bottom-to-top approach, to achieve Gram Swarajya (village self rule)

through Antyodaya (development of weaker sections) and Sarvodaya

Unemployment and under employment, are the causes of rural poverty.

Therefore, we need to build self eating gainful self-employment for

poor families, who produce the commodities which can be processed

and marketed to meet the local needs.

The Community Development Programme should be labour intensive

using locally available skills, needinglow capital investment. The aim

should be to include weaker sections of the society in the development

and every family should have an opportunity to participate in the

programme.

193

'Mass production is important, but production by masses is more

important'.

As poor health and illiteracy are the major problems of rural people, the

development programmes should focus on these aspects as well.

Emphasis should be given on truth, non-violence and freedom from

vices to build a society of high moral values.

Women are the custodians of our culture and so they should be

empowered to take lead in community development.

Special efforts should be made to bring weaker sections of the society,

particularly tribals and scheduled caste families (Harijans), to the

forefront of development.

Development should be sustainable. This should cover conservation of

natural resources, curbing of excessive consumption, recycling of

wastes and protection of our environment. The earth has enough t

0meet the needs but not the greed!

Before initiating any programme, we should be convinced that this will

benefit the poor.

5.4 Impact of Programmes

Over the last four decades, BAIF's programmes have spread over

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand,

Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand,

Chhattisgarh and Tripura States and made a significant impact in promoting

sustainable developmen in rural India. The Programme has reached 4.5 million

Below Poverty Line families across 15 states in 67,000 villages. 0.75 million

crossbred cows born under the programme, each cow worth Rs.25,000-35,000 are

producing milk worth Rs.2500 crores (USD 520 million). The programme has

been promoting nutritional security, organic farming and ecosystem improvement.

Over 70% of the farmers associated with this programme for over 5 years, are able

to earn an annual income of Rs.45,000-55,000. 0.4 million ha lands under

watershed development, is benefitting 97,000 families in 961 villages. 56,000 ha

low productive lands covered under agri-horti-forestry popularly known as wadi

194

programme, is benefitting 0.2 million tribal families spread over 4686 villages

who earlier earned a meagre income of Rs. 6,000, and are now able to earn more

than Rs. 30,000-40,000 after their orchards start bearing fruits. Over 10,000 SHGs

with 110,000 women have mobilised a saving of Rs. 100 million (US $2 million)

of whom, 2000 SHGs are linked with banks. 2,000 voluntary health guides are

directly mentoring the poor in the field. 85% of the participating families in the

cluster development programme have come out of poverty, while enjoying

improved quality of life through women's empowerment and community health

initiatives. Environmental protection through sustainable agriculture, water and

soil conservation, genetic improvement of livestock, industrial greenbelt and

environmental awareness are the indirect benefits of the multidisciplinary

programme. The sustainability of operations is being ensured through linkages

with Financial Institutions and Markets, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Development

Departments of the Government and other Organisations.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, during his tenure as the President of India, visited

our Central Research Station at Urulikanchan and various development

programmes at Vansda (Gujarat), Asha Kiran wadi, Igatpuri (Maharashtra),

Munger (Bihar), Manjunathpura (Karnataka) and Raniganj (Uttar Pradesh). He

also appreciated the work of BAIF in various public speeches and during his

address to the nation on the occasion of Republic Day in 2006:

"I would like to commend the work of BAIF which has promoted dairy

husbandry through upgradation of low, unproductive, non-descript cattle owned

by the small farmers. The programme has provided livelihood to unemployed

youth while ensuring food security. The door to door service has helped the small

farmers to develop confidence in technology adaptation. I understand that Wadi

model has now been replicated by many St by maney state Governments. The

prosperity has spread to millions of families. Self-employment has been created

for over one million unemployed youth".

- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

195

After 42 years, a strong team of 3800 dedicated youth is the strength of

BAIF. Flexibility of the programme to reach the poorest of the poor and

willingness to accept new challenges, a strong sense of economics and our ability

to demystify complex technologies into user-friendly activities, has been the key

to success. A gradual shift from free service to self-managed service by the

community is our withdrawal strategy. Development of strong grassroot level

organisations particularly through empowerment of women is the secret of

sustainability.

5.5 Awards Received By BAIF

Indian Non Governmental Organizations Award 2008 for demonstrating

sustainable development, efficient and transparent managemen

Indira Priyadarshini Paryavaran Puraskar 2007 to BIRD-K for

sustainable management of natural resources

Indian Innovation Award 2005 for innovative approaches in poverty

alleviation

Vasantrao Naik Jala Samvardhan Award 2005 for innovative approach

in watershed development

Doreen Mashler Award for outstanding contribution to integrated

watershed Management 2004 to BAIF, RRIDMA and SPESD

12th Red and White Social Bravery Award 2003 to Dhruva

Award for Excellence in Rural Development 2003 to Dhruva by the

Federation of Gujarat Industries, Vadodara

Award for Excellence in Rural Development 1999 to GRISERV-BAIF

by the Federation of Gujarat Industries, Vadodara

Adivasi Seva Sanstha Award 1997 for tribal development in

Ahmednagar, Thane and Raigad districts of Maharashtra

Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Puraskar 1996 to GRISERV-BAIF

Rajat Kamal Award for the film “Building from Below” 1994

Green Film Award, Berlin Festival for the film “Golden Earth” 1991

Rajat Kamal Award for the film “Golden Earth” 1991

NCERT - Best Children's Literature Award for “Mother Nature” 1991

196

Seth Baldeodas Shah Award for improved silkworm mountages 1991-92

Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award 1986 for afforestation and

wastelands development

FICCI Award for Rural Development 1978

5.6 Vikas Arth

Vikas Arth, the Development Finance Division of BAIF, has been

strengthening people’s organisations such as Self Help Groups, Common Interest

Groups and their federations promoted under various programmess at different

locations, to empower the community.

5.6.1 Capacity Building

Training and facilitation of the primary groups and clusters and federations

is an on-going activity. Suitable training modules, materials, kits such as flip

charts, posters and short films have been developed in various languages for

imparting effective skills to the participants who include group members,

Government officials, bankers and other development organisations at the training

centres or in the field and through campaigns, awareness camps to provide

additional and updated information on Panchyati Raj Institutes, Government

schemes, health, legal rights, gender, livelihood and programme management.

Facilitation charges are paid by all the developed groups in all the locations to

sustain the programme and to instill a sense of ownership.

Figure : Women Particpated in training programme

197

Dr. Manibhai Desai Management Training Centre with a Resource team of

109 multi-disciplinary professionals, is extending the facilities to other

organisations. 53 training courses were conducted for BAIF staff and 42 training

programmes were conducted for outside agencies, covering 700 participants.

Awareness on the scientific approach of forage crop seed production was created

among the members of women SHGs through trainings and field visit.

5.6.2 Management Information System (MIS)

Suitable MIS software has been developed and installed at Kaprada and

Dangs in south Gujarat, Udaipur and at Lachhakadi campus, to maintain

systematic information on SHGs and their federations and to facilitate efficient

functioning of the SHGs.

5.6.3 Bank Linkages

To ensure linkage with banks for credit, the SHGs are encouraged to open a

savings bank account with their nearest bank and all the bank transactions are

being operated by all the members confidently. In Tumkur, Karnataka and at

Tapi, Gujarat, the Associate Organisations of BAIF namely, BIRD-Karnataka and

GRISERV, are functioning as Business Facilitators by establishing suitable

linkages with the State Bank of Mysore and Surat District Cooperative Bank. A

credit linkage of over Rs. one crore has been established through this initiative and

the available loans are being utilised by the groups for dairy, agriculture and allied

activities. In other regions and locations, the matured groups are linked with

banks for credit with a view to expand their enterprises, housing, education and

other needs.

5.6.4 Income Generation Activities

All the groups members have initiated activities to enhance the income in

agriculture, dairy or non-farm activities. The focus is on individual enterprises but

at many locations, the group is also involved in managing indigenous food

counters, vermicomposting, preparation of papad made out of Nagali, vegetable

cultivation and contract farming for cash crops. Skill-based technical trainings are

198

imparted to the members to enable them to gain technical knowledge and to

enhance their skills, apart from marketing support.

5.6.5 Sankalpa Streewadi Sahakari Sanstha

A registered cooperative was established by the SHG members from

various groups around Urulikanchan in August 2000. Presently, 70 members of

this retail outlet are marketing over 100 products at Urulikanchan. The cooperative

is independently managed by the members with facilitation from BAIF.

5.6.6 Insurance

A group insurance scheme Swayam Sahayata Vima Samiti has been

introduced for SHGs at Urulikanchan cluster in Pune district. 2346 women have

taken health linked policy and 252 students were awarded cash Fellowships as a

part of this scheme. This scheme is managed by SHG members with facilitation

from BAIF. 2346 women have been covered in the scheme. In other locations and

states, many SHGs have taken cover under the Janshree Vima Yojana of LIC.

5.6.7 Networking

Networking with INAFI India, Madurai, and Center for Microfinance

(CMF), Jaipur, has ensured wider coverage and cross learning of experiences.

5.6.8 Functional Literacy

In Uttar Pradesh, the Vamashakti Mahila federation in Pratapgarh district

has established 200 learning centres in various villages for enhancing literacy

among women. The trainers of these centres are SHG members.

5.6.9 Community Health

Initiatives and creating awareness of safe drinking water, clean kitchen

package, establishment of kitchen garden and herbal garden hygiene and sanitation

through encouragement of families to construct bathrooms and toilets, primary

health care, reproductive and child health and combating malnutrition, are

promoted in coordination with the SHGs and their federations. The groups are

199

also playing a major role in addressing the mental health of the community as

participants, volunteers, counselors and in follow up of cases. For awareness

generation and training, educational posters on kitchen garden, anaemia, safe

drinking water and clean kitchen package have been developed in Hindi, Marathi,

Gujarati and Kannada languages.

5.6.10 Documentation

Regular documentation is carried out and shared through the BAIF

Journal, Annual Report, E-newsletter and the quarterly newsletter, Vichardhara.

Process documentation of SHG members was conducted by the members from

Urulikanchan area.

5.7 Highlights of the BAIF Programmes During 2011-12

Livestock Development: Door to door artificial insemination services

have been provided for 1.80 lakh cows and buffaloes, 81946 animals

declared pregnant, 21790 female and 22600 male calves were born out of

AI service. 260 deworming and 152 vaccination camps were conducted.

Livestock owners in 3842 villages have got the benefits of this programme

through 226 cattle development centres operating in 21 districts.

Tree Based Farming (TBF): 1157 families from 113 villages have

been assisted to adopt tree based farming in one acre each. Farmers

have planted 83536 horticulture and 777627 forestry seedlings,

completed field bunding in 1056 hectares.

Farm Forestry: 394 farmers in 53 villages have adopted farm forestry

systems and planted 265148 forestry species as boundary plantations,

block plantation and agro forestry systems. Intercrop assistance was

provided to 88 farmers.

Organic Farming: Over 800 farmers in 21 villages have adopted

various low cost, eco friendly and organic methods as a step towards

sustainable agriculture. There has been reduction in the cost of inputs

for agriculture.

Watershed Development: 370 farmers in three villages have

200

completed soil and water conservation activities based on watershed

principles. 312 hectare was treated for watershed activities along with

plantation activities.

RNFSE / IGA: Financial support to start income generation activities,

purchase of large ruminants and small ruminants was provided to 626

landless families and marginal farmers.

Health and Sanitation: 43 health camps and 24 alternative medicine

camps have been conducted. 76 families were supported to construct

improved chullas and 464 families have established kitchen herbal

gardens. Twelve community water filters were installed in government

schools in Madhugiri and Tumkur talukas.

Training and Exposure: Over 8800 persons including the programmes

participants, Non Governmental Organizations personnel and officials

from government department have participated in training and exposure

activities organised during the year at Gramodaya training campus,

Lakkihalli and Gramachetana training campus, Surashettikoppa.

5.8 Livestock Development Programmes

Animal husbandry plays a very important role in the livelihoods of the

farming communities. It is the second major livelihood provider for the farmers

after agriculture. Apart from giving additional income, it also provides good

quality manure for adopting organic farming. Hence, livestock activity is the

backbone for organic farming.

BIRD-K started door to door artificial insemination services for cattle and

buffaloes in Karnataka during 1979-80. The programme was sponsored by the

department of animal husbandry and veterinary services through Government of

Karnataka. The other services include pregnancy diagnosis, follow up for calving,

calf care, care of pregnant animals, awareness on feeding practices, fodder

development, vaccination etc. During the reporting year, livestock development

activity has been further expanded to more number of villages with the

establishment of 100 cattle development centres in the Northern Karnataka

201

districts. These centres were supported under Special Development Programme.

The programme is sponsored by Government of Karnataka, Corporate Sector

organisations, Non Governmental Organizations and other institutes. At present,

the programme is underimplementation in 21 districts with 226 centers providing

services to livestock keepers in more than 3842 villages. The coverage of BPL

families during the reporting year is 80% and overall coverage since inception of

the programme is 70%. Apart from AI, PD, other extension activities like calf

rallies, health camps, vaccination camps, deworming of calves etc, were conducted

during the year. General health care activities were organised in collaboration

with the local veterinary department. The other activities which support organic

farming and sustainable agriculture include – promotion of fodder on bunds,

vermicomposting etc. The details of the name of the schemes and sponsors are

presented in table – 5.1.

Table- 5.1

Name of the Schemes/Sponsors (As on March 2012)

Sl. No.

Name of the Schemes/Sponsors No. of

Centres

1 SGSY – CBCs (Government of Karnataka) 65

2 Special Development Programme (Government of Karnataka) 100

3 Ksheeradhara 25

4 Suvarna Sankalpa Programmes (Government of Karnataka) 06

5 Centres funded by Farmers’ Cooperative –Totagarike Sahakar Sangha (TSS), Sirsi

05

6 Centres sponsored by ITC Limited 20

7 Sesa Goa Programmes 01

8 Navachetana Programmes (Peoples 201rganization sponsored) 01

9 Distress District Programmes (NABARD sponsored SVY Programmes)

02

10 Special SGSY Programmes (GoK and GoI) 01

Total 226

Source: Annual Report of BAIF- 2012

202

Graph – 5.1

Name of the Schemes /Sponsors (As on March 2012)

Source : Table – 5.1

Table – 5.2 indicates the achievements of the cattle development

programme of BAIF.

Table- 5.2

Achievement of Cattle Development Programme of BAIF

Sl. No.

Activities Units Achievement

1 Artificial Insemination Numbers 180586

2 Pregnancy Diagnosis Numbers 81946

3 Female Calves Born Numbers 21790

4 Male calves born Numbers 22600

5 Calf rallies Organized Numbers 01

6 Infertility Camps Numbers 29

7 Deworming Pamps Numbers 260

8 Vaccination Camps Numbers 152

9 Fodder Plots Numbers 331


65

100

25

6 5

20

1 1 2 1

y = -8.375x + 68.66R² = 0.566

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

No. of Centres Linear (No. of Centres)

203

Graph – 5.2

Achievement of Cattle Development Programme of BAIF


Districts covered under Cattle Development Programme

BAIF has covered the following districts for cattle development

programme. Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bellary, Bijapur, Bidar, Chamarajanagar,

Chikkamagalore, Chitradurga, Davangere, Dharwad, Gadag, Gulbarga, Haveri,

Hassan, Koppal, Mandya, Mysore,Raichur, Tumkur, Uttara Kannada and Yadagir.

The details of beneficiaries covered under livestock development

programme since 2002-2003 to 2011-2012 are presented in table – 5.3.

Table- 5.3

Beneficiaries Covered under Livestock Development Programme

Since 2002 -2012

Sl. No

Year Number of

BPL Families Covered

Number of APL Families Covered

Total % of BPL

1 2002-2003 28975 27618 56593 51.19

2 2003-2004 30157 19686 49843 60.50

3 2004-2005 27564 14071 41635 66.20

4 2005-2006 33592 15522 49114 68.39

180586

81946

21790 22600

1 29 260 152 331

y = -17201x + 12019R² = 0.595

-50000

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

Achievement Linear (Achievement)

204

5 2006-2007 36483 11525 48008 76.00

6 2007-2008 35305 12938 48243 73.18

7 2008-2009 36948 11075 48023 77.00

8 2009-2010 36584 10663 47247 77.43

9 2010-2011 40023 10328 50351 79.50

10 2011-2012 21627 5398 27025 80.00

Total 327258 138824 466082 70.21

Source: Annual Report of BAIF- 2012.

Total number of BPL families covered under this programme is 3,27,258

and 1,38,824 APL families also covered upto 2011-12 under this programme

4,66,082 beneficiaries are benefited.

Graph – 5.3

Beneficiaries Coverage under Livestock Development Programme

Since 2002 -2012


5.9 Krishna Valley Breed Conservation Programmes

Krishna Valley is a native breed existed long back in parts of Bagalkot,

Bijapur and Belgaum district. Today, the population of this breed has become very

less and the breed is on the verge of extinction. BIRD-K, with the financial

support from ICAR, New Delhi, has initiated steps to popularize and conserve this

51.19

60.566.2 68.39

76 73.1877 77.43 79.5 80

y = 2.857x + 55.22R² = 0.849

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

% of BPL Linear (% of BPL)

205

breed with community participation. The activities like awareness generation,

identification of Krishna valley pure breeds and Krishna Valley type animals,

artificial insemination of local cattle with Krishna Valley semen were started

during the year 2007.

5.9.1 Salient Features of the Programmes are

Conservation and popularisation of Krishna Valley breed.

Breeding service at farmer’s doorstep.

Cluster approach to cover the block of the villages to conserve the

Krishna Valley breed and Krishna type cattle.

Close follow up, technical guidance and monitoring.

5.9.2 Programme Coverage

Breeding and conservation activities were initiated in the districts of

Bagalkot, Bijapur and Belgaum. The original tract of the breed is on either side of

Krishna River wherein 12 BAIF cattle breeding centers are functioning since long.

In addition to regular cattle breeding programme, use of Krishna Valley semen

doses on Krishna Valley type animals has been initiated in nine cattle breeding

centers providing services to 41 villages. This has helped in breed conservation

and up-gradation. So for, 414 female and 509 male calves have born. Two calf

rallies were organised to create awareness and interest among the farmers in

conservation activities.

5.10 Suvarna Sankalpa Programmes

The main objective of the Suvarna Sankalpa programmes is to improve the

economic and social conditions of the tribal families through a menu of activities

for land holders and landless families. The programmes are under implementation

in eight districts, namely – Kodagu, Mysore, Tumkur, Davanagere, Raichur,

Chitradurga, Belgaum and Gulbarga. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government

of India and Government of Karnataka have jointly supported the programmes.

The programmes are in the sixth year of implementation. So for 8591 families

have got programmes support for adopting tree based farming, nursery raising,

206

purchase of large and small ruminants, rural non farm sector enterprises etc. Tribal

families in 192 villages spread in eight districts are getting the benefits of the

programmes. Major activities include tree based farming system, integrated

farming system and livestock development activities for land holders, support for

small ruminants and rural nonfarm enterprises for the poor and landless families.

About 2654 hectare land belonging to tribal families in programmes

villages has been brought under tree based farming system with the plantation of

horticulture species such as mango, cashew, tamarind and others in the cropping

area and forestry plants on the field bunds and in waste land. Horticulture plants

planted during the first year of the programmes have started bearing fruits.

Farmers are getting marginal income from sale of fruits apart from home

consumption. The forestry plants have started to produce fuel wood and biomass.

Biomass is being used for compost preparation.

Focus has been given for the formation and strengthening of community

based organisations like SHGs and federations. So for, 224 self help groups have

been formed and functioning. Trainings and exposure visits were organised for

these SHGs to build their capacity. These SHGs were further federated into Gram

Vikasa Samithis (GVS). All the inputs are being routed through SHGs and GVS.

Majority of the SHGs have started savings and credit activities. So for, they have

saved Rs. 84 lakhs. Quality of life activities include- support for he construction of

improved chullas, clean kitchen and establishment of kitchen/herbal gardens. So

for, 2012 families have constructed mproved chullas, 2853 families have

established kitchen herbal gardens and 581 amilies have got support for clean

kitchen. 110 human health camps were conducted to provide free treatment for

the patients in the programmes villages. Under livestock development programme,

one cattle breeding center has been established in every programmes location.

This center is providing door to door artificial insemination and other dairy related

services to the tribal families and for others in the programmes villages.

207

5.11 Samruddhi Programmes

Samrudhi Programmes is under implementation in ten villages spread in

Kalaghatagi and Hubli talukas in Dharwad district and Shiggaon taluka in Haveri

district. The programmes activities were initiated during 2008. The programmes

are sponsored by Deshpande Foundation, Hubli.

The objective of the programmes is to enhance the livelihood base for the

farmers through promotion of integrated farming systems. The major activities

include planting of different horticulture species, forestry species, and fodder

species into the existing farming system. Each farmer has been supported to plant

at least 40 different horticulture species, 800 to 1000 forestry species to cater to

different needs like fuelwood, tree fodder and timber, fodder cultivation on field

bunds, soil and water conservation activities, composting activities, fencing etc.

Watering of horticulture plants during summer season is very crucial for the

success of tree based farming system. Pulling carts have been provided for 116

families for watering purpose and four hand pumps were installed.

Totally, 539 families have got programmes support to adopt integrated

farming system approaches in their lands. 539 hectare land was treated for soil and

water conservation activities. Bunds were further strengthened with the sowing of

fodder grasses on them. This also helped in the improved availability of fodder.

Farmers have adopted vermicomposting and are getting good quality vermicompost.

67 farm ponds were excavated for recharge of ground water table. Live hedge

fencing and tree based farming helped to improve the vegetative cover and

improved plant diversity in the programmes villages. Community participation has

been ensured by the formation and strengthening of self help groups. So for, twelve

SHGs have been formed and all the SHGs have started savings and credit activities.

Programmes Profile

Date of inception - June-2008

Date of completion - 2012

Families covered - 539

208

Villages covered - 10

Taluk - Kalaghatagi, Hubli and Shiggaon

District - Dharwad and Haveri

Sponsor : Deshpande Foundation, Hubli

5.12 Janothan (Special SGSY Programmes)

The Special SGSY programme is in the sixth year of implementation.

Farmers in 19 villages of Kalaghatagi Taluka, Dharwad district have availed the

programmes benefits for adopting activities like tree based farming system, (TBF),

sericulture activities, soil and water conservation for the economic improvement.

Support for income generation activities was provided for the poor and landless

families. So for, 1392 families have got programmes support to adopt TBF, 153

landless families have got support to start income generation activities like grocery

shops, bangles shop, vegetable vending, carpentry, hotel business, vermicelli

business, tailoring, flour mill etc. Community participation was ensured through

the formation and capacity building of SHGs and other people’s organisations.

Totally, 104 SHGs are functioning. All have started savings and credit activities.

One federation was formed to take care of post programmes maintenance of the

assets created during the programmes period and to further strengthen the CBOs.

Programmes profile

Date of inception - October 2006

Families supported - 1569

Villages covered - 19

Taluka - Kalaghatagi in Dharwad district

Sponsor - GoK and GoI

5.13. Parimochana

The Parimochana programmes is under implementation in five villages,

namely, Saradahole, Keregadde, Neerkanta, Koogati and Salemane, belonging to

Bhatkal taluka, Uttara Kannada district. The programme is sponsored by Chitrapur

Samsathan Matt, Chitrapur, Bhatkal taluka. The core activities of the programmes

209

are – formation and strengthening of SHGs, organizing awareness and trainings,

supporting the needy families for starting IGAs like vermicomposting, dairy

activities, grocery shops and petty cash business activities. Families having land

were supported for floriculture activity. The programme has been implemented in

a phased manner. Second phase is under implementation. Since inception, 498

families have been given financial support to initiate various income generation

activities to create additional source of earnings. During the reporting year,

programmes have supported 96 families and the federation has supported 102

families. The SHGs get programmes support in the form of revolving fund from

the federation. Further, the SHGs provide loan to their members on repayment

basis. Revolving fund is repaid to the federation as per the terms and conditions. In

this way, federation has got financial stability and it is also supporting the

families. 44 SHGs and one federation are functioning well and are actively

involving in the programmes activities.

Programmes Profile – Parimochana

Date of inception - 2006

Date of completion - 2013

Families supported - 498

Villages supported - 5

Taluk - Bhatkal, Uttara Kannada district

Sponsored by - Chitrapur Samsathan Matt, Chitrapura

Training and exposure activities were organised as part of the programmes.

60 participants have attended exposure visits conducted to Dasanakoppa village in

Sirsi taluka. They have seen vermicomposting, SHGs and other IGAs initiated by

the families in Dasanakoppa. Training on SHG concepts, health and IGA was

conducted for 350 members.

Table – 5.4 analyses the cumulative progress of the programmes as on

March 2012.

210

Table- 5.4

Cumulative Progress of the programmes as on 31.3.2012

Sl. No

Activities Unit Suvarna

Sankalpa Samruddhi Janothan

Farm

forestry MGNREA Total

1 Villages covered

Numbers 192 10 19 53 18 292

2 TBF-Wadi Families

6848 539 1392 – 103 8882

3 Integrated farming systems

Families - - - 1115 – 1115

4 TBF area covered

Hectare 2654 539 557 714 48 4512

5 Trench cum

bunding Cmt 85274 21541 41323 34923 2431 185492

6 Horticulture plantation

Numbers 568408 21560 62640 – 1528 654136

7 Forestry

plantation Numbers 3487387 256647 6960000 743042 7690 11454766

8 Fodder seed sowing on

bunds Kgs 4455 1344 3463 2020 500 11782

9 Vermi-

composting Numbers 1809 41 - 191 - 2041

10 Farm ponds Numbers 1380 67 802 141 – 2390

11 RNFS Families 208 - 153 - - 361

12

Livestock based

Interventions

Families 1535 - - - - 1535

13 Kitchen gardens

Families 2853 - - - - 2853

14 Improved

chullas Families 2012 - - 50 - 2062

15 Clean kitchen Families 581 - - 170 - 751

16 SHGs formed Numbers 224 – 104 – – 328

17 Trainings organised

Farmers 7720 – 3221 1608 266 12815

18 Hasiru habba Numbers 06 04 03 03 – 16


211

Data in table – 5.4 shows that 292 villages are covered under various

schemes in two districts and varieties of activities are undertaken by NGOs

through various programmes.

Graph – 5.4

Cumulative Progress of the programmes as on 31.3.2012


5.14 MGNREGA Programmes

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programmes

(MGNREGA) has been implemented in 18 villages of Kalaghatagi taluka,

Dharwad district. BIRD-K has facilitated the community for registering their

names for labour work under MGNREG scheme, facilitated the gram panchayat in

the maintenance of NMR, recording of works in measurement book, MIS feeding

and payment etc. BIRD-K has also facilitated the implementation of agriculture

development works like plantation of horticulture and forestry, soil and water

conservation works such as trench cum bunding, excavation of farm ponds etc

under the scheme.

Programmes activities were initiated during 2010. Totally 103 families

have got programmes support for adopting tree based farming system in one acre

292 888211154512185492654136

11454766

1178220412390361 153528532062751 3281281516

y = -65539x + 1E+06R² = 0.016

0

2000000

4000000

6000000

8000000

10000000

12000000

14000000

212

land. Farmers have planted forestry on the field bunds and horticulture species in

the cropping land. Field bunding, planting of root slips, fodder grasses on the

bunds, application of biofertilisers were the other activities of the programmes.

5.15 Gramachetana Training Center

Gramachetana Training Center is jointly managed by Sarvodaya

Mahasangha, Surashettikoppa and BIRD-K. It is based at Surashettikoppa in

Kalaghatagi taluka, Dharwad district. The center is catering to different training

needs of the farming community, Non Governmental Organizations and other

development organisations in and around Dharwad and neighboring districts.

During 2010-2011, the center has organised training programmes on different

topics to 4573 participants.

Gramachetana training center located at Surashettikoppa in Kalaghatagi

taluka, Dharwad district is catering to the training needs of the farmers, Non

Governmental Organizations and other institutions around Dharwad and

neighboring districts. Gramachetana has organised training programmes on

different topics to 4573 persons during 2012-2013. Table – 5.5 gives us the details

of trainings conducted at gramachetana during 2012-13.

Table- 5.5

Trainings Conducted at Gramachetana during 2012-13

Trainings Number of Participants 2012-13 Cumulative

Tree based farming system 3225 18905 Organic farming 41 991 Entrepreneurship development 46 988 Peoples organization and SHGs 140 993 Livestock management 79 617 Professional training development workshop – 326 Watershed development – 216 Artificial insemination – 36 Medicinal plants conservation – 56 Sericulture – 304 General 1042 3726 Total 4573 27158


213

The data in table – 5.5 clearly indicates that during the year 2012-13 under

gramachetana 4573 participants have benefited from training programmes on

different activities. The cumulative number of participants is 27158 under the

programme.

5.16 Building Human Resource

Building human resource through training, exposure and mentoring is

very important for the sustained growth the organisation. Human resource plays

key role in the successful implementation of the programmes conceived by the

organisation. The human resource department of the organisation takes care of

training the new recruits, deputing the seniors for trainings related to programmes

management, people's organisations, refresher trainings, etc. During the current

year, five officers have attended programmes management training, 14 officers

have attended training in documentation and article writing and 25 officers have

attended refresher course on livestock development. Apart from this, technical

sessions on selected topics are being organised during quarterly review meetings.

5.17 Peoples Organizations

Promotion and strengthening of community based organisations (CBOs) is

part and parcel of the all the development programmess implemented by the

organisation. This is also important for the successful execution and completion of

the programmess. Focus has been given for the formation of CBSo such as SHGs

Gram Vikas Samithis, federations etc. Exposure visits, awareness programmes and

trainings were conducted to the CBOs regularly to build their capacities in the

maintenance and management of assets created during the programmes period.

Mass events like Hasiru habba, Women Day celebrations, Shramadan and

Environment Day celebrations were organised every year to enhance the

community participation in the programmes activities. This has helped in bringing

a sense of ownership of the development activities. Savings and credit activities

are common among the CBOs. During the year, 1169 groups are doing internal

lending and 1170 groups are linked to banks. The SHGs were graded at regular

214

intervals before recommending them for bank linkages. The SHGs were further

linked to the federations formed at village level or at cluster level. The details of

community based organizations as on March 2013 are presented in table – 5.6.

Table- 5.6

Details of Community Based Organisations As on 31.3.2013

Sl. No.

Description Progress

1 Women SHGs 756

2 Men SHGs 367

3 Mixed SHGs 77

Total 1200

4 Total members 17627

5 Number of SHGs doing internal lending 1169

6 Number of SHGs bank linked 1170


5.18 Gramodaya Training and Demonstration Campus

Training and capacity building of the participants as well as for the

implementation staff is key for the successful implementation of any development

programmes. For organizing effective training programmes to farmers, in house

personnel and other Non Governmental Organizations, BIRD-K has established a

well equipped training cum demonstration campus at S. Lakkihalli, Tiptur taluka in

Tumkur district. The campus was established in 500 acres with demonstrations

pertaining to agriculture, horticulture, organic farming, agro forestry systems,

watershed development, ground water recharge, rain water harvesting, livestock

development, fodder demonstrations, sericulture and medicinal plants conservation.

The campus has organised various trainings for 5733 persons during 2011-2012.

Gramachetana training center located at Surashettikoppa in Kalaghatagi

taluka, Dharwad district is catering to the training needs of the farmers, Non

215

Governmental Organizations and other institutions around Dharwad and

neighboring districts. Gramachetana has organised training programmes on

different topics to 4573 persons during 2011-2012.

Demonstrations at Gramodaya Campus

Dairy demonstration – The herd maintained includes cross breeds of

HF, Jersey and local breeds.

Fodder demonstrations include the plots of Stylosanthes hemata and

guinea grass.

Fodder tree plots of Subabul, Sesbania grandiflora, Sesbania sesban and

Moringa.

Watershed development model.

Sericulture development model with latest rearing house technologies,

reeling unit, egg production unit etc.

Vegetative propagation of fruit and forestry species. Energy plantation

of neem trees.

Bamboo arboretum with 17 species.

Composting – vermicomposting and Nadep composting.

Jatropha production system for small farmers, Ethno medicinal forest.

Medicinal plants conservation.

Rain water-harvesting model, Bore well recharge model, Biogas

production model.

Agro forestry models of cashew, mango, emblica, tamarind, jackfruit

and sapota.

Farm forestry models of Subabul and Acacia auriculiformis.

The details of training programmes conducted at Gramadaya campus

during 2011-12 are presented in table – 5.7. Under this programme 5733

beneficiaries are benefited.

216

Table- 5.7

Details of Training Programmes Conducted at Gramodaya Camps

During 2011-12

Sl. No

Training Programmes Number of

participants

1 Natural resource management – watershed development, soil and water conservation etc

203

2 Livestock development 117

3 Tree based farming and agro forestry 201

4 Organic farming 110

5 Training on artificial insemination 86

6 Medicinal plants conservation and health 74

7 Community based organisations 93

8 Training on sericulture 19

9 Entrepreneurship development /marketing 115

10 Training to waterman's of gram panchayats 310

11 Training on Bhuchetana programmes 144

12 Training on personality development 127

13 Training on Suvarna Bhumi-horticulture 57

14 Environmental awareness to school children 62

15 Facilitating exposure visits of farmers to the campus 4015

Total 5733

Source: Annual Report of BAIF- 2012.

5.19 Linkage and Micro Finance Programmes: Navachetana Programmes

The Navachetana programme is being implemented in Tumkur and

Hassan districts. The programmes aim at creating prosperity in the villages by

providing financial assistance to the needy families. In Tumkur district, Tiptur and

Chikkanayakanahalli talukas and in Hassan district, Arasikere taluka were covered

for the programmes support. Financial support is routed through SHGs formed in

the programmes villages. Family Intervention Plans (FIP) for each family is being

prepared in consultation with the participants. Resources available with the

217

participant, present skills, labour availability and economic returns of the activity

selected etc. are being assessed properly before recommending the family for

financial support.

Financial support to start economic activities is provided through the formation of

village prosperity centers (VPC). Totally, seven VPCs are functioning in two

districts. Each VPC provides services to 25-30 villages within the radius of 10 km.

As on the reporting year, 265 SHGs have got bank linkages and 4482 families have

started economic activities by availing Rs. 10 crore as loan from banks. Percentage

of repayment is 96. Apart from economic activities, following community

development initiatives have been conducted during the year. Table – 5.8 depicts

the financial performance of BAIF during 2012. BAIF has spent Rs. 1230.59 lakhs

under various activities.

Table- 5.8

Financial Performance of BAIF During 2012

Sl. No

Description Amount

(in lakhs) A Expenditure - 1 Research and development activities 759.48 2 Payment to and for employees 113.51 3 Establishment expenses 192.82 4 Traveling and vehicle maintenance 39.92 5 Others and miscellaneous 25.79 6 Programme contingency fund 4.25 7 Staff contingency fund 4.25 8 Rural development fund 30.00 9 Excess of income over expenditure 60.57

Total 1230.59 B Income - 1 Research and development activities 759.48

2 Contribution for cattle development activity and other receipts

424.17

3 Surplus on disposal of assets 0.48 4 Interest 46.46 Total 1230.59


218

5.20 India Development Service (IDS)

IDS, also located in Dharwad, were started in 1974 by non-resident Indians

living in Chicago, USA to fundraise to support development work in India. In

1977 two members of IDS from Chicago, S. R. Hiremath and his wife Shyamala,

visited India to identify suitable programme areas, with the intention of developing

their own operations rather than funding other Non Governmental Organizations,

which they had been doing up to that time. They decided that Dharwad would be

suitable and settled there in 1979, registering IDS in India in the same year. Over

the following twenty years they built up IDS into a strong local Non

Governmental Organizations, but then started to withdraw from the day-to-day

operations in the late 1990s to take on predominantly a governance role. The goal

of IDS has remained a commitment to the economic and social development of

India through the ‘development of people’. In 2009 IDS had a highly committed

and experienced staff complement of 43, somewhat down from the peak of 73

staff in 2004. Like all of the Non Governmental Organizations in these case

studies, IDS’s work had changed quite a bit from 2000 to 2009, and to a large

extent this reflected the changes in funding that had occurred to Non

Governmental Organizations more generally in Karnataka. Up until 2002 the focus

of IDS was on SHG development when they worked in 100 villages with around

500 women’s self-help groups, targeting mainly landless labourers, artisans, and

small and marginal farmers. IDS facilitated SHGs usually have 10–15 members, a

little smaller than the 20 member average SHG that is promoted by government

and other Non Governmental Organizations. With a smaller group size IDS found

there was more opportunity for greater participation by all members. The SHGs

were usually grouped in villages into what they call a Village Development

Society, and these were in turn federated at sub-district level into Federations. IDS

found, however, that these Village Development Societies require ongoing

support, and IDS had to return to the original groups some years later to re-

invigorate these SHGs and provide them with further institutional support. One of

the reasons for this lack of sustainability may have been that IDS prefers to

promote what it refers to as collective leadership among SHGs members rather

than having the SHGs elect leaders from the outset. The intention was that over

219

time natural leaders would emerge to take on an informal role of ensuring the

groups were well led.

The problem was that this did not happen to the extent hoped for. The IDS

staff member was seen as having the role of catalyst, and as responsible for

developing a ‘sense of partnership’ between the beneficiaries and IDS

development workers. What happened in practice, which is common among Non

Governmental Organizations supporting SHGs, is that a level of dependency

emerged, with the Non Governmental Organizations staff taking on a quasi-

leadership role.

The work with SHGs was put into a difficult situation from 2002, as

foreign funding dried up. IDS became more involved in government programmes,

the most notable being the World Bank supported KWDP discussed above, where

IDS was both an implementing agency and a nodal agency in two districts for a

number of other Non Governmental Organizations. As seen earlier in this chapter,

this programme was complex, and the demands by the donor and Karnataka

government were such that the IDS as an agency was strained. By phase two of the

programme, like many other Non Governmental Organizations involved in the

Programme, IDS was unable to meet what were seen to be unrealistic demands in

the rate of service delivery. There was a lot of infrastructure work involved in

watershed management, as well as facilitating and monitoring the work to be

undertaken. The expectations of the rate of work and the programmes expenditure

rate were unrealistic, and IDS took the decision to pull out of the programme, with

a substantial number of outstanding bills, leaving IDS with large debt. The other

key issue with this programmes that drove the decision to withdraw was that it

moved IDS away from its focus on the poor and landless to those with land, who

could implement and host watershed infrastructure (Hilemath 2004). As a result of

this experience and the debt incurred from the KWDP, IDS had to scale back their

work and in 2009 they were involved in a small number of relatively small

discrete programmess:

220

IDS Programmess 2012-13

1. Forest and bio-diversity programme with 173 village forest committees

with each having five SHGs;

2. A health and livelihood programme supporting village health workers;

3. Organic farming supported by the Department of Agriculture;

4. Skill training programme for the poor funded by central government;

5. Capacity building programme under the National Rural Employment

Guarantee Scheme; and

6. A small environment awareness programme to support local

communities in their campaign to clean up a local factory whose

expansion will lead to water contamination.

IDS had found that this new approach of being involved in a range of

programmes which were, to varying degrees, directed by government presented a

challenge, and so it was looking at ways of reconnecting with the SHG groups and

associated federations as way of keeping the links with its values on a firmer

footing. IDS had found that working with government had had some adverse

effects, ranging from the programme target communities moving away from the

poor, to the prosaic issue of being forced to have different categorizations of staff

depending on whether they were working on government programmes or not

(Hilemath 2004). This caused problems, as those working on government

programmes were required to be paid at a different rate to IDS staff.

Despite these challenges, IDS maintained a strong commitment to its

values and it saw the strengths of the programme as due, in part, to a dedicated

staff, a low staff to group member ratio, smaller average group sizes, and an active

policy of targeting the landless and those with low literacy levels. However,

according to IDS’ own analysis in the early 2000s, in one of its programme areas

only around one-quarter of the groups were sustainable and had reached a strong

measure of empowerment after three years, and nearly 20 per cent of groups were

‘weak’. Following the loss of many of its external donors and the involvement in

government programmes in the early 2000s, IDS lost touch with these groups, and

221

in 2008 IDS was in the process of re-engaging with those groups through their

federations to re-invigorate them.

Accountability to the aid recipients was a priority for IDS, reflected by the

responsiveness of staff to community needs, the ambivalence to government

funding and the policy of having some direct consultation of the Board with the

groups. Likewise there was a strong degree of staff autonomy to be directly

responsive to community needs and to react to their priorities in how they

programmed and provided resources. Paradoxically, though, this fostered a high

level of dependency of groups and the Federation on staff. This raised the issue of

the right balance between providing support and fostering dependency. Despite

these challenges, IDS had a strong institutional base to continue to be effective in

empowering the poor and marginalized to engage with issues as they arose.

The challenge was whether a level of individual empowerment could be

translated into group autonomy at local level, which would strengthen the

collective role of women in local political, social and economic life. The changes

in the sources of support for Non Governmental Organizations in general, and IDS

in particular, make this a difficult challenge.

5.21 Conclusion

In summary it can be said that both IDS and BAIF NGOs functioning in an

effective manner in order to empower the women in Dharwad District of

Karnataka State. Being volunteer-based it had the challenge of finding ways to

keep the volunteers engaged so they continued the work. So where it could found

funds from local foundations for its small number of paid staff from time to time

for one-off activities, but by 2008 this funding had ceased. While the original

approach of working with SHGs was moderately successful, it was not being

resourced, and was little different to the work of larger Non Governmental

Organizations in the district. As a result the management would be a change in

direction, approach and focus, with a sharp move to more clearly rights-based

programmes. The focus was on health rights and supporting people’s claims for

222

better health services and ensuring they were receiving what they were support

from the Child Rights and You (CRY) Foundation, was able to work with 400

existing SHGs in 35 villages to train the members on their health rights, with a

view to improving the practices at the Primary Health Care centres at sub-district

level.

References

1. Sadanand Kanavalli et al.,(1993) ‘Quest for Justice’, Samaj Parivartana

Samudaya (SPS), Dharwad, 1993.

2. Hiremath.S.R (ed)(1997), Forest Lands and Forest Produce as if People

Mattered, NCPNR, 1997.

3. Saxena.N.C et al.,(1997) Western Ghats Forestry Project, Independent Study of

Implementation Experience in Uttar Kannada Circle. May 1997.

4. Annual Reports of IDS NGO, Dharwad, Various Issues.

5. Annual Reports of BAIF NGO, Dharwad, Various Issues.

223

202

CHAPTER – V DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES OF BAIF AND IDS...

Documents

Transcript of CHAPTER – V DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES OF BAIF AND IDS...