Chikkaballapur myself of a loan from the bank and thus was able to sustain the family. With this, I realised the importance of SHG. In the beginning, I found it difficult to understand the working of the NRLM scheme. But, over the course of time, as I began to attend ward level and panchayat level meetings, I got to know more about it. We renamed our SHG as ‘Nidhi Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat Level Federation’. When it was my turn to take out a loan, I was confused about the livelihood activity I should take up. I was unable to come to a decision even after discussing the issue with my family members and neighbours. At this point of time, NRLM officials informed that they would impart training in mat-making, incense-stick making, preparation of masala items, mushroom cultivation etc. I expressed my wish to take up mushroom cultivation. With the help of NRLM officials, I underwent a three-day training in mushroom
cultivation in Gopichattiyur. Later, I borrowed Rs.50,000 under the Sanjeevini scheme and prepared myself for taking up mushroom cultivation in a semi-constructed house of my relative, on a 30x40 site. The then Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer of Chamarajanagar, Dr. Harish Kumar, inaugurated my mushroom unit. He called upon women to take up unique income-earning activities and declared that he was ready to get assistance for this purpose under any government scheme. Mushrooms are 60-65 day crops. One can easily earn up to Rs.40,000 in a span of two or three months. Mushroom farming has taught me the intricacies of calculation and gave me a new life. With the help of Sanjeevini staff, I have entered into a pact with More Mall in Kollegal to sell mushrooms. The financial condition of my family has bettered with this income”.
CEO's Note
Diversifying into Silk & Milk In drought prone Chikkaballapur district, the NRLM’s focus is helping SHGs, the majority of whom are involved in the production of silk and milk as their main sources of livelihood.
The shift to non-agrarian livelihood activities has been necessitated because groundwater level in the district has gone down to 1,500 feet. Agriculture activities cannot be continued with this scanty and unreliable water source. NRLM has implemented several measures, such as, strengthening of the SHGs, imparting of training, rejuvenation of disintegrated groups, formation of new SHGs, Ward Level and GP level federations that have helped bring splintered SHGs under the umbrella of NRLM. And the results are tangible, says B.Fouzia Taranum, CEO, Chikkaballapur Zilla Panchayat, with the 3,615 NRLMcompliant SHGs demonstrating improved livelihood.
These SHGs cover below poverty line households.
The Sanjeevini- SHG Micro Enterprises in the district and needy groups have been trained and are financially assisted through Community Investment Funds and bank credit linkages.
NRLM beneficiaries Livelihood
46 | Sanjeevini
The focus is on training and covers a large ambit : skill training, farm / non-farm activities trainings, agriculture and allied activities, skill training for rural BPL candidates - campus / off campus, need-based trainings through Rural Self Employment Training Institute, and management of SHGs, WLFs and GPLFs.
Sanjeevini | 47
