ANNUAL REPORT 2019/20 1
The Timbaktu Collective’s Annual Report :: April 2019 to March 2020 Editorial & Design: Mr. Ashok Kumar Ganguly Contributors: Mr. C.K.Ganguly (Bablu), Ms. Mary Vattamattam, Mr. V. Manikandan, Mr. Gondi Mahesh, Mr. K. Sannapaiah, Ms. Divya Machineni, Ms. S. Thirumala Devi, Mr. Peruri Srikanth, Mr. A. Chiranjeevi, Mr. M. Ramesh Kumar, Ms. Shruti Kathane, Ms. K. Ashwini, Ms. Sukanya Sakamuri, Ms. Paroma Sengupta, Ms. Zabeera Khanam Photo Credits: Mr. Shabeer Basha P., Mr. Peruri Srikanth, Mr. N. Mukesh, Ms. S. Thirumala Devi, Mr. M. Ramesh Kumar, Ms. C. Sunitha, Ms. N. Madhavi, Mr. Gondi Mahesh, Bread for the World, Agaram Foundation
TABLE OF CONTENTS No.
Chapter
Pg.
1
Message from the Executive Director
1
2
About Us
2
2.1 Introduction
2
2.2 Programmes
2
2.3 Partnerships & Outreach
3
2.4 Awards & Recognition
4
Programme Highlights
6
3.1 Dharani: organic farming & marketing
6
3.2 Gramasiri: rearing of small ruminants by agricultural labourers
9
3.3 Kalpavalli: natural regeneration & biodiversity conservation
10
3.4 Militha: rights & livelihoods of persons with disabilities
12
3.5 Swasakthi: financial & social empowerment of women
15
3.6 Chiguru: engagement with children & youth
19
3
Other Highlights
22
4.1 School of Agriculture
22
4.2 Networking
23
4.3 Visitors
24
5
Internal Organisation
26
6
Our Supporters
27
7
Financial Overview
28
4
2
1. Message from the Executive Director As I sit down to write my message for the Annual
I don’t think I have to go into the Collective’s
Report for 2019-20, suddenly, out of the blue, I
achievements; it’s all there in the report. But I
remember a line from one of Billie Holiday’s songs
must say that it’s lovely to be part of this brave
- “The difficult I’ll do right now. The impossible will and learning organisation that still dares to dream take a little while.” It makes me smile as I realise
the impossible. It’s also wonderful to be part of a
that it has been a kind of unwritten motto of the
young organisation – the average age is 35. This
Collective. We have done just that … on and on
year was both exhilarating and traumatic, living
for the past three decades.
and working with all these young hearts. It was great.
The other day, as we were discussing how we should celebrate the thirtieth year of the
I hope you enjoy
Collective, it came to me that over the last thirty
reading our Annual
years, as we have tried to live and make real our
Report and support
crazy and impossible dreams, at every turn, we
our efforts in any
have been making, as Wayne Muller says, only one
which way you can.
choice, again and again, moment by moment, year by year. It is how we have lived our days; it is how
Best wishes,
we have shaped our lives. And the choice has been C.K.Ganguly (Bablu) – what is the next right thing to do? It’s interesting how such thoughts just flow into oneself from time to time.
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2. About Us 2.1 Introduction The Timbaktu Collective is a grassroots nonprofit
With community participation and ownership
organisation that works towards the sustainable
as the underlying priorities, we develop and
development of marginalised people across 186
implement various thematic programmes. The
villages in eight mandals of the drought-prone and
operational strategy across the majority of our
ecologically challenged Ananthapuramu District in
programmes is the creation of independent
the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Collective
people’s organisations, registered as Mutually
was registered in Bengaluru in November 1990,
Aided Cooperative Societies - to build solidarity
with its field office located in Chennekothapalli
among marginalised sections of rural people,
village.
and address issues of poverty, food security and livelihoods.
Our mission is “to enable marginalised rural people, landless labourers, and small and marginal
The Collective is closely linked with ‘Timbaktu’,
farmers, particularly women, children, youth,
a 32-acre agro-forest habitat and intentional
Dalits, and persons with disabilities, to enhance
community that prioritises natural regeneration,
their livelihood resources, get organised and work
organic gardening, renewable energy, and
towards social justice and gender equity, and lead
sustainable living. A school for underprivileged
life in a meaningful and joyous manner”. The
children, Prakruthi Badi, is also located within its
values dear to us: the celebration of life, gender
premises. Timbaktu is just off National Highway
equity, faith in people and their wisdom, and
44, which links Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and is 5
excellence.
km from Chennekothapalli village.
2.2 Our Programmes Dharani (“earth”) Organic farming among smallholder farmers & processing, value addition, and marketing of organic food. Gramasiri (“wealth of the village”) Rearing of small ruminants by landless, agricultural labourers. Kalpavalli (“eternal source of abundance”) Natural regeneration and biodiversity conservation of common lands. Chiguru (“tender leaf”) Engagement with children and youth. Militha (“inclusion”) Advancing the rights and livelihoods of persons with disabilities. Swasakthi (“power of self”) Financial empowerment and rights of women.
4
Timbaktu Collective
2.3 Partnerships and outreach Partner Cooperatives
Dharani
Dharani Farming & Marketing Cooperative
Kalpavalli
Militha
Swasakthi
Employees’ welfare organisation
Kalpavalli Tree Growers’ Cooperative Society
Prathibha Cooperative of Persons with Disabilities
Mahasakthi Cooperative Federation
Timbaktu Kalayika MATCS
Gramasiri
Gramasiri MATCS*
Adisakthi MATCS (Chennekothapalli)
Ananthasakthi MATCS (Roddam)
Mahilasakthi MATCS (Ramagiri)
Durgasakthi MATCS (Penukonda)
*Mutually Aided Thrift Cooperative Society.
Consolidated Net Worth of Partner
Timbaktu Collective’s
Cooperatives on March 31,2020
Programme-wise Outreach
No.
Cooperative
Crores, INR
No.
Programme
Stakeholders
1
Adisakthi MATCS
10.30
1
Dharani
2
Ananthasakthi MATCS
7.88
2
Gramasiri
896
3
Mahilasakthi MATCS
6.52
3
Kalpavalli
649
4
Durgasakthi MATCS
6.09
4
Militha
5
Mahasakthi Federation
0.29
5
Swasakthi
6
Dharani Farming and Marketing Cooperative
3.60
6
Chiguru
7
Gramasiri MATCS
1.96
8
Prathibha Cooperative of Persons with Disabilities
1.70
9
Timbaktu Kalayika MATCS
0.45
10
Kalpavalli Tree Growers’ Cooperative
0.04
Total
Total
2,130
1,549 23,4052 1,837 30,4663
38.83**
** Approximately US$ 5.21 million1 1
The exchange rate used throughout the report: USD 1 = INR 74.40.
Due to the difficulty in estimating the Chiguru programme’s direct outreach, we have only calculated 1,590 Balala Sangha (Children’s Club) members, 47 Prakruthi Badi (Nature School) students, and approximately 200 youth.
2
This figure does not account for overlap in membership between the Cooperatives, which is estimated to be around 1,000 members.
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2.4 Awards and Recognition •
The Global Alliance for the Future of Food, in August 2020, nominated the Collective as one of 21 worldwide ‘Beacons of Hope’ that are achieving sustainable, equitable, and secure food systems
•
Outstanding Practices in Agroecology 2019 from the World Future Council and TAGS4
•
Lush Spring Prize (2017) from Lush Cosmetics, United Kingdom
•
One World Award (2014) from Rapunzel Naturkost GmbH, Germany, and IFOAM Organics International
•
Real Heroes 2013 (Environment) organised by the CNN-IBN television channel in partnership with Reliance Foundation
•
Ms. Mary Vattamattam received the Vanitha Woman of the Year Award (2010) from the Malayala Manorama Group
•
Ms. Mary Vattamattam and Mr. Bablu Ganguly were selected as The Week magazine’s Couple of the Year (2005) and were featured as the cover story in its year-end special edition
•
Mr. Bablu Ganguly was elected to the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship for social entrepreneurs in 1993
4
Technology for Agroecology in the Global South.
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3. Programme Highlights 3.1 Dharani About The Dharani programme promotes sustainable,
chain and improve their returns. The Cooperative
local, and climate-resilient farming among
services include efficient and timely procurement
smallholder farmers engaged in family farming and at the farm gate at a fixed (premium) price, accurate measurement of produce, processing, the cultivation of diverse food crops, focusing on storage, value addition, packaging, and marketing.
millets and pulses.
The Cooperative redistributes a share of profits Some of the critical activities undertaken by the
to members proportionate to the crop given for
programme:
procurement.
•
Timbaktu Organic’s product line includes:
Provision of extension services for crop planning, cultivation, and harvesting
• •
•
Facilitating village-level sangha meetings and mandal-level leaders’ meetings
kodo, pearl, etc., in the form of flour, rice, and
Implementing and monitoring a Package of
semolina •
Practices (PoP) •
•
Pulses: red gram, cowpea, green gram, horse gram
pesticides, etc. •
Groundnut: whole, roasted, and spiced; coldpressed oil
Training and capacity building on cultivation practices, preparation of organic fertilisers and
•
Millets: foxtail, little, great, finger, barnyard,
Facilitating peer-to-peer learning
•
Ready-to-eat and cook items
Organic certification as per the Participatory
•
Wild honey
Guarantee Systems (PGS) •
Maintaining a Management Information
Highlights
System with field data on farmer members,
Dharani FaM Coop’s membership was consolidated, with 2,130 farmers from 156 sanghas (groups) in 62 villages spread across seven sub-divisions of Ananthapuramu District. The Cooperative expanded its footprint, forming 12 new sanghas, which included two sanghas that were established for the first time in Kanaganapalli and Madakasira mandals.
acreage and extent of cultivation, quantity, and quality of the harvest, etc. •
Provision of inputs such as seeds, manure, biomass, Halikar cattle (a traditional milch and draught animal), sprayers, etc.
The programme also promotes the Dharani Farming and Marketing Cooperative (Dharani
There was an enhanced focus on training and capacity building of members. The Collective trained 1,147 farmers on a ‘Package of Practices’ for organic farming, while 1,233 farmers took part in 93 Farmer Field School sessions. Besides, the Collective supported 25 farmers to become expert trainers; they can now independently train and support their fellow members.
FaM Coop), a producer-owned and managed business enterprise that markets its members’ organic produce using the brand name ‘Timbaktu Organic.’ Established in 2008, Dharani FaM Coop has enabled farmers to control the agriculture value
8
After the peer-to-peer inspection of farmers’ plots as part of the PGSOC5 certification protocol, 1,581 farmers were certified as organic, while 174 farmers were in one of three stages of conversion.
A group of Cooperative Directors and sangha leaders improved their understanding of seed production and management after participating in an exposure visit to the Janadhanya Farmers Producer Company Ltd (promoted by Green Foundation) in Kanakapura, Karnataka.
Two honey collectors’ sanghas were formally inducted into Dharani FaM Coop (after its bylaws were amended to include honey collection). The Collective invited Last Forest Private Ltd.6, to conduct a foundational training for the sangha members on sustainable honey harvesting. At the close of the year, the 25 honey collectors earned Rs. 13.79 lakh (US$ 18,500) after supplying 4.04 tonnes of honey to the Cooperative.
In ‘Kharif’ 2019, the primary agricultural season, 1,513 farmers undertook organic cultivation of food crops on 6,736 acres. The farmers cultivated millets in 2,242 acres compared to groundnut cultivation in 1,747 acres – this is a clear indication of the success of the Collective’s strategy to promote millets. Also, pulses were cultivated in 1754 acres, while various fruits and vegetables were grown in 993 acres.
The Collective’s organic field team supported the Cooperative in procuring 617 tonnes of organic produce, resulting in gross earnings of Rs. 2.78 crore (US$373,000) for the Cooperative’s members.
The Collective supported 836 farmers to cultivate a ‘Rabi’ (spring) crop. As of March 2020, there were standing crops in 1,341 acres; these would be harvested in April and May.
Participatory Guarantee Systems Organic Council (PGSOC) is a civil society-led initiative for low-cost organic certification of smallholder organic farmers. The Collective has been part of PGSOC’s Governing Council since its establishment in 2006. More details about PGSOC can be accessed at www.pgsorganic.in.
5
Last Forest is a social enterprise in Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu. It is promoted by Keystone Foundation and is renowned for its expertise in community-based honey production.
6
9
Mr. Bablu Ganguly and Ms. Mary Vattamattam met with Mr. H. Arun Kumar, IAS7, Special Commissioner of Agriculture, Government of Andhra Pradesh, in Guntur on August 19, 2019, to discuss strategies for millet promotion in the Rayalaseema8 region.
Dharani FaM Coop continued its incredible growth through 2019-20, achieving record sales of Rs. 4.97 crore (US$ 668,000), an increase of 29.3% from the previous year. This was made possible by the Cooperative’s partnerships with 339 retailers and 49 wholesalers and technical assistance provided by the Collective in sales order tracking, business operations, and procurement.
The Collective initiated a research study on agroecology in partnership with Ms. Edith van Walsum, a member of the World Board of IFOAM Organics International9. Comprehensive interviews were conducted with 20 farmers using the TAPE (Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation) framework developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Timbaktu Shop, Dharani FaM Coop’s retail unit in Chennekothapalli, accounted for 17.5% of the annual sales revenue in 2019-20. This is evidence of the growing demand for organic food products in rural and semi-urban markets. The Timbaktu Shop was conferred with the Retail Ratna Award 2019 (Emerging Retailers category) organised by Hans India (the English-language newspaper) in Hyderabad on December 20, 2020. Mr. Gondi Mahesh (Coordinator – Dharani programme) and Mr. K. Sannapaiah (Training Coordinator, Dharani programme) received the award from Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan, the Governor of Telangana, and Mr. T. Harish Rao, the Finance Minister of Telangana.
Partner with Timbaktu Organic If you are an organic retailer/wholesaler based anywhere in India and are interested in the ‘Timbaktu Organic’ product line, please contact Dharani FaM Coop’s sales team. Dharani FaM Coop undertakes direct distribution of its products to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ananthapuramu. All other orders are dispatched through courier.
The Collective monitored day to day operations at the Dharani Centralised Processing Unit, and ensured that various regulatory compliances and standards were followed.
Phone/WhatsApp: 8985005750 Email: sales@timbaktu.co
⁷ Indian Administrative Services. 8 Geographic region in Andhra Pradesh that includes Ananthapuramu, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Kurnool Districts. 9 International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.
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3.2 Gramasiri About The Gramasiri programme enhances landless agricultural labourers’ livelihoods by promoting the rearing of small ruminants and operationalising thrift and credit activities. The programme partners with the Gramasiri Agricultural Labourers’ Mutually Aided Thrift Cooperative Society (Gramasiri Cooperative). Gramasiri Cooperative, which was established in 2010, undertakes monthly thrift collection and provides loans to members to buy sheep or goat. It also offers ethnoveterinary and small ruminant insurance services to members. The Collective provides extensive technical assistance and guidance to the Cooperative, particularly on the rearing of small ruminants and access to subsidised loans.
Highlights The Collective’s strategic guidance enabled the Gramasiri Cooperative to improve governance across various levels – sangha members, sangha leaders, and Directors. In March 2020, Gramasiri Cooperative had 896 members and a net worth of Rs. 1.96 crore (US$ 263,000). The Gramasiri Cooperative issued loans worth Rs.56.33 lakh (US$ 75,000) to 199 members. 195 members used the loans to purchase 712 small ruminants, while 4 members repaired their animal sheds.
Ms. Asha Latha and Mr. Appa Rao from Anthra (the livestock development organisation) were invited to conduct two Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions on small ruminant ailments and preparation of appropriate ethnoveterinary medication. The resulting resource group, comprising Gramasiri team members and Cooperative Directors, trained 443 Gramasiri members on the same topics. The Collective facilitated ‘member education’ sessions for 444 members, covering the following topics: responsibilities of brundha (sub-group) members, sangha members, and sangha leaders; procedure to claim animal insurance; role and function of the Purchasing Committee10.
The Purchasing Committee, comprising of the Gramasiri Directors from the specific mandal, accompany members to the market and monitor the purchase of small ruminants. 10
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3.3 Kalpavalli About The Kalpavalli programme undertakes community-
The programme seeks to reverse the damage done
based natural resource management and
to this significant productive ecosystem (located
biodiversity conservation in the Kalpavalli
in a rain shadow area) because of deforestation,
Community Conservation Area (KCCA), a 6,000-
overgrazing, forest fires, and climate change. The
acre expanse of previously barren and degraded
programme also seeks to establish sustainable
revenue wastelands that have been transformed
livelihoods based on the utilisation of Non-Timber
into a vibrant Savannah grassland ecosystem.
Forest Products (NTFPs) and the collection of user
The KCCA is probably one of India’s largest
fees.
community-led environmental restoration sites and is home to endangered wildlife such as the
In undertaking its activities, the programme
Indian Grey Wolf, Black Buck, Leopard, Sloth Bear,
collaborates with the Kalpavalli Tree Growers’
Hyena, etc.
Cooperative (Kalpavalli Cooperative). The Kalpavalli Cooperative consists of ten village-level Forest Protection Committees (FPCs).
Highlights 11 forest watchers (trained and mentored by the
Around 900 families generated additional incomes
Collective) served as custodians of the KCCA,
by collecting and selling fruits and berries, broom
preventing and dealing with forest fires; managing
grass, medicinal plants, and date palm. Besides,
grazing by cattle, goat, and sheep; maintaining
cowherds and shepherds from a 60km radius
a record of animal and bird sightings; preventing
brought more than 75,000 cattle and small
hunting and poaching; planting tree saplings; and
ruminants to graze in the KCCA.
sharing their knowledge and expertise in camps for children and youth.
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The Mobile Interpretation Centre, also referred
KCCA on February 28. He interacted with
to as ‘Jungle Bandi’ (jungle vehicle), fostered
senior members of the Collective as well as the
environmental awareness among 1,750 children
Kalpavalli Cooperative. He was impressed by the
and youth (1,045 boys and 705 girls) by
conservation activities’ scale and expressed interest
conducting village-level workshops.
in collaborating with the Collective to undertake a large-scale tree plantation drive in the surrounding villages.
8 seed dibbling camps were held with the participation of children, youth, and VSC members. At the close, 57 kg of indigenous seeds
The Bush Camp - an educational field base and
were planted.
campsite for conservation outreach located inside the KCCA, was inaugurated on the Kalpavalli
Mr. Gandham Chandrudu, IAS, the District
Cooperative’s Annual General Meeting on July 21,
Collector of Ananthapuramu, visited the
2019.
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3.4 Militha About The Militha programme advances the rights
The Militha programme supports Prathibha
of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and helps
Cooperative in conducting regular meetings, thrift
them gain equal status in their families and
and credit activities, and educational sessions
society. The programme partners with the
for the Cooperative’s Directors. The programme
Prathibha Mutually Aided Cooperative Society
also undertakes activities such as rehabilitative
(Prathibha Cooperative), a membership-based
therapy for children with disabilities, training of
organisation of PWDs living in three mandals of
parents/caregivers; following up with relevant
Ananthapuramu District, established in 2008.
public authorities on schemes and benefits for
Along with facilitating thrift and credit activities,
PWDs; conducting assessment and referral camps;
the Prathibha Cooperative provides a joint
interfacing with hospitals and other institutions;
platform for PWDs to advocate for their rights and
community engagement and sensitisation; and
entitlements.
livelihood enhancement.
The Prathibha Cooperative functions as an apex
Militha Jeevanopadhula Sangam (MJS)
organisation of three mandal-level branches:
MJS is a production unit of Prathibha Cooperative
Chaithanya Prathibha in Chennekothapalli,
that manufactures handcrafted soap and allied
Swarnagiri Prathibha in Ramagiri, and Adarsha
products. 11 Directors of Prathibha Cooperative
Prathibha in Roddam. At the grassroots level, the
constitute its membership. MJS markets its
Cooperative comprises of multiple, village-level
products under the brand name Timbaktu
Cross-Disability Groups.
Handcrafted Soap.
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Highlights The Prathibha Cooperative had a membership of
The programme team provided home-based
1,549 - comprising adults with disabilities and
therapy for 130 children. They visited the children’s
parents/caregivers of children with disabilities - in
homes thrice every month to offer rehabilitative
March 2020. The net worth of the Cooperative
services - physiotherapy, speech therapy, special
stood at Rs. 1.70 crore ($228,000).
education, training on daily living skills, and interface with parents/caregivers.
The Cooperative provided 511 members with loans worth Rs. 1.11 crore ($149,000), which
The construction of the Cooperative’s Ramagiri
were used for agriculture, livelihood activities,
office was completed. The office was inaugurated
healthcare, education, construction/repair of
on June 27 as part of the Annual General
homes, and other household requirements. The
Meeting. Prathibha Cooperative now has two
loan and repayment cycles were robust, with a
offices (the headquarters is in Chennekothapalli),
90% loan repayment rate in 2019-20.
with an additional office being constructed in Roddam mandal.
The programme team supported the Cooperative’s members in gaining access to the following certifications and entitlements provided by the state government: disability certificate (21), bus pass (291), train pass (2), pension (36), assistive devices (28). To date, the team has supported 1,419 of the 1,549 members in receiving their disability certificate, which is a mandatory document to gain access to most entitlements at the state and national level. The Collective covered
The Collective distributed electric wheelchairs
the travel costs of members who had to visit the
to six members of Prathibha Cooperative on
district headquarters to apply for the entitlements.
March 3, making it arguably the first initiative to introduce electric wheelchairs to rural Andhra
The Cooperative issued educational fellowships
Pradesh. This significantly improved the mobility,
amounting to Rs. 2.3 lakh to 30 youth with
independence, and self-worth of the members.
disabilities who were studying at the senior high
The Collective purchased the wheelchairs from
school level. The fellowships covered the cost of
Callidai Motor Works, Chennai. The key features
tuition, study material, and transportation.
are a ‘per charge’ mileage of 20 kilometres and a maximum speed of 10 km per hour.
15
A strategic partnership emerged between the Collective and Vidya Sagar, the rehabilitation centre for persons with disabilities that is headquartered in Chennai. This resulted in a group of experts from Vidya Sagar visiting us on June 3-6, 2019, and January 6-10, 2020, to conduct assessment camps for children, and an exposure visit by the Cooperative Directors and programme team to Vidya Sagar’s headquarters on June 2326, 2019. Selected children with disabilities benefitted from socialising with their peer group and learning new skills during the two children’s camps held on May 27-31, 2019, and March 16-17, 2020. The camps were facilitated by the programme team and conducted in the Timbaktu agro-forest habitat. MJS was formally incorporated as a unit of Prathibha Cooperative after the latter amended its bylaws.
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3.5 Swasakthi About Swasakthi is the Collective’s initiative for the
Cell, an informal grouping of CEOs, staff members,
empowerment of marginalised rural women.
and Directors that provides support to both
The programme promotes alternative financial
members and non-members in cases of domestic
institutions for and by women in the form of
violence, marital disputes, property disputes, and
Mutually Aided Thrift Cooperative Societies.
any other difficulties.
In addition to financial empowerment, the Cooperatives are important platforms of women’s
The Cooperatives, as well as the Federation, are
leadership, solidarity, collaboration, and social
led by 15 Directors elected from among the leaders
change; they have set in motion a radical personal
of village-based women’s sanghas (groups). The
and social transformation encompassing choice,
staff of the four Cooperatives and Federation are
dignity, and respect. The Collective has established
part of the Timbaktu Panchayati and the Swasakthi
four mandal-level Cooperatives in its working
Working Group. During the year, the Swasakthi
area: Adisakthi MATCS (Chennekothapalli),
programme supported the Cooperatives and the
Ananthasakthi MATCS (Roddam), Mahilasakthi
Federation in member education and leadership
MATCS (Ramagiri), and Durgasakthi MATCS
training.
(Penukonda). Bhavani Chenetha Sangam (Bhavani) The Cooperatives have come together under the
Bhavani is a production unit of Mahasakthi
banner of the Mahasakthi Samakya (Mahasakthi
Federation that manufactures natural dyed,
Federation), a network organisation promoted
handloom fabrics such as saris, stoles,
by the Collective to provide guidance and support
handkerchiefs, dress material, etc. Its membership
in governance, financial management, member
comprises 14 first-generation women weavers
education, and advocacy. The Mahasakthi
and markets its products under the brand name
Federation also houses the Cooperatives’ Legal Aid
Timbaktu Weaves.
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Highlights The consolidated net worth of the four women’s
while suspended members are those who stopped
Cooperatives and Mahasakthi Federation grew
attending thrift meetings and defaulted on their
to Rs. 31.11 crore (US$ 4.18 million). The
loan repayments for more than a year.
Cooperatives had a membership of 23,405 women from 182 villages.
The four women’s Cooperatives issued working capital loans of Rs.1.26 crore (US$169,000)
6,848 members benefited from timely and
to Dharani FaM Coop. Slowly but steadily, the
affordable
Collective’s inter-Cooperative lending strategy is
11
credit access after they were issued
with loans worth Rs. 24.89 crore (US$ 3.34
resulting in a circular economy model centred on
million). The loans were issued for the following
community ownership and retaining of capital.
purposes: •
Small business – 20%
To incentivise on-time repayment, the loan
•
Agriculture – 18%
guidelines were amended to allow those who
•
Rearing of livestock – 14%
undertake regular repayment to get up to four
•
Housing and construction – 13%
times their savings amount for the subsequent
•
Education – 8 %
loan.
•
Rearing of small ruminants – 8 %
•
Healthcare – 5%
The Mahasakthi Directors and the women’s Cooperatives’ CEOs undertook an exposure visit
Despite the large volume of loans, the
to DHAN Foundation’s headquarters in Madurai
Cooperatives’ financial health was excellent, with
on September 25-29, 2019, to learn about its
only 4 defaulters and 25 suspended members.
Kalanjiam community banking programme. The
Defaulters are classified as members who have
group was inspired by the programme’s scale,
missed loan repayments for 3 successive months,
which reaches out to more than 1.5 million
11
12% annual interest; diminishing rate.
18
law enforcement authorities, and 6 were in the
households in 14 states.
process of follow-up. Besides, 10 legal aid camps Starting in January 2020, the women’s
were conducted in partnership with the police and
Cooperative staff began using handheld printers
judiciary, with 842 women attending.
to issue receipts for thrift and interest payments. Bhavani became a production unit of Mahasakthi Federation in August 2019 after the latter amended its bylaws and received GST registration. Bhavani achieved record annual sales of Rs. 17.85 lakhs (US$ 24,000) through sales at the Timbaktu Shop; participation in exhibitions in Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Thiruvananthapuram; and from orders received on the Timbaktu Weaves Instagram page (instagram.com/
The transaction information was uploaded in real-time to the cloud-based Tally financial management software. The introduction of handheld printers has enhanced operational efficiency and transparency. The Legal Aid Cell took up 35 cases during the year. By March 2020, 15 cases were resolved through counselling, 14 were taken up with
timbaktuweaves).
19
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3.6 Chiguru About The Chiguru programme addresses the academic
into the Mogga Samakya (Mogga Federation);
and extracurricular needs of children and youth
conducting trainings on child rights and clean
while emphasising happy childhoods; nurturing
environment; facilitating community actions; and
environments; opportunities for life skills
supporting ‘Navayuvatha,’ a forum for village
development, play, creative engagement, cultural
youth.
expression, and choices to shape their futures. The programme has two components: Mogga Project
Prakruthi Badi
and Prakruthi Badi.
Prakruthi Badi (Nature School) is a semi-residential primary school for children from disadvantaged
Mogga Project
backgrounds. Located within the Timbaktu agro-
The Mogga Project promotes experiential learning,
forest habitat, Prakruthi Badi seeks to provide
collaboration, and leadership among children
its students with an opportunity to experience
and youth while maintaining an overarching
learning in a pressure-free, nurturing environment
focus on child rights and ecological rights. The
while being sensitised to environmental and
main activities of the project are running three
ecological issues. Prakruthi Badi is officially
mandal-level Chiguru Resource Centres (CRCs );
recognised by the Right to Education (RTE) Act,
establishing and supporting village-level Balala
and it does not charge any tuition or boarding
Sanghas (Children’s Clubs); federating the sanghas
fees.
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The CRCs are freely accessible community centres for children and youth that have a science lab, computer terminal, library, and facilities for various sports and games. 12
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Highlights The Mogga Project reached out to 1,590 children
In May 2019, a youth group and the Mogga
from 44 Balala Sanghas. The team facilitated
team participated in a 10-day intensive theatre
monthly Sangha meetings, conducted activities on
workshop. Conducted by Ms. Vartika Poddar,
child rights, creative writing, village histories, and
a theatre person from Kolkata, the workshop
supervised cultural training.
focused on stage management, voice and expression, and scriptwriting. The outcome: a play
The Chennekothapalli CRC hosted a science
called ‘Daaham Daaham’ (“thirst, thirst”), which
exhibition as part of the National Science Week
dealt with water scarcity. The play was performed
from February 19-24, 2020. The exhibition
in several villages.
featured stalls that showcased models and experiments. The most popular stalls were
The Chiguru programme conducted an exchange
on robotics, windmills, water heaters, and a
programme with the Rural Development Trust’s
projection-screening of a movie. 376 children
Anantapur Sports Academy, wherein 12 local
put up stalls, with additional 383 children and 49
youth (10 boys, 2 girls) were taken to the
adults visiting.
Academy to learn about sports and fitness, while 10 Academy students (8 boys, 2 girls) were
The Collective organised the first-ever Chiguru
introduced to various programme activities –
Mahasabha13 in Ramagiri village on December
carpentry, welding, Macramé14, etc.
22, 2019. The event was immensely successful; it featured speeches and cultural performances
There were 47 students (24 girls, 23 boys) in the
and gave more than 1,000 children and young
June 2019 to March 2020 batch of Prakruthi Badi.
people a platform to get their voices heard,
These included 10 students who were admitted
collaborate, and, most importantly, celebrate. The
after a comprehensive assessment of their socio-
Ramagiri CRC was inaugurated in parallel with the
economic status and discussions with their
Mahasabha.
parents/guardians.
From December 2019 to February 2020, a group
Students’ learning outcomes in Grade 2 and 3
of local youth participated in three workshops on
showed substantial improvement after introducing
basic electronics conducted by Mr. Abhijit Sinha
the Multi-Grade Multi-Level (MGML) pedagogy.
from Project DEFY, a Bangalore-based organisation
The MGML system, which has been developed by
that promotes science. The workshops were held
the Rishi Valley Institute for Educational Resources,
at the Chennekothapalli CRC. There was a definite
emphasises group work by students with similar
learning progression - the participants developed
learning levels and a thorough understanding of a
mini cars, handheld fans, and musical instruments.
concept before introducing new concepts.
The participants were also introduced to making use of YouTube videos as a source of continued
The noted educationist and writer, Dr. Chandra
learning.
Latha, provided ongoing guidance to the team on teaching methodology, curriculum development,
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Annual General Meeting Threadwork that is produced by using knots.
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classroom management, and encouraging creative
The students enjoyed taking part in a joint project
expression and individuality.
on food, where they learned about the food chart, prepared simple meals (under supervision),
Eight out of 11 Grade 5 graduates (2018-19
and visited the fields of local organic farmers and
academic year) cleared their respective entrance
Dharani FaM Coop’s centralised processing unit in
examinations for admission to the Andhra Pradesh
Chennekothapalli.
Model Schools, which are high-quality public schools at the mandal (sub-division) level that run
The team worked with students’ families to
from Grade 6 to Pre-University.
prepare and submit applications to the Amma Vodi (“mother’s lap”) scheme launched by the
There was a marked improvement in students’
Government of Andhra Pradesh in January 2019.
life skills after a series of activities and discussions
The scheme provides a financial incentive of Rs.
were held on behaviour, group dynamics,
15,000 per academic year to the mother of each
responsibility, cleanliness, and hygiene.
school-going child in the state; the incentive payment was expected to begin in the 2020-21 academic year.
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4. Other Highlights 4.1 School of Agriculture The School of Agriculture teaches various forms of sustainable agriculture (organic farming, biodynamic farming, permaculture, and agroecology) and land design to the next generation of organic farmers. The School is a standalone project of the Collective; it is situated in the Srikailasam Farm run by its sister organisation, Timbaktu Kutumbam Foundation. The School has been designed to accommodate local youth, both boys and girls, to live, work, and learn together on a farm. After months of preparation, the School was inaugurated on October 14, 2019, fulfilling Mr. Bablu Ganguly’s long-standing dream. The Collective established the School with financial support from GLS – Future Foundation for Development (Germany), North South Foundation (USA), and Uzhavan Foundation, an initiative of Mr. Karthi Sivakumar, the popular Tamil film actor. The first batch of 17 students, comprised of local youth from the working area of the Collective, enrolled for a one-year Basic Certificate Course focusing on practical and theoretical aspects of agriculture. The following individuals, under the guidance of Mr. Bablu Ganguly, were instrumental in designing and executing the course curriculum: • Mr. Rico Zook, internationally renowned permaculture expert • Mr. K. Neelakanta, Farm Manager and Resident Faculty • Ms. Duhita Ganguly, Course Coordinator and Resident Faculty The School also benefited from its guest faculty: • Permaculture: Ms. Madhu Reddy and Ms. Malvikaa Solanki • Biodynamic farming: Mr. Jakes Jayakaran, Mr. Rolf Bucher, Ms. Anne Bucher • Organic farming: Mr. K. Sannapaiah •
Agroecology: Mr. A. Chiranjeevi (Field Coordinator, Kalpavalli programme)
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4.2 Networking The Collective believes in the value of being connected with individuals and institutions working for sustainable development – locally and globally. Over the year, many of our team members participated in networking meetings, seminars, and conferences. Mr. Bablu Ganguly, in his capacity as World Board member of IFOAM Organics International, participated in the following events: •
U.N Conference event on ‘Agroecology and organic agriculture in India and the Himalayas,’ New Delhi, September 6, 2019
•
BIOFACH INDIA15 2019, New Delhi, November 7-9, 2019
•
National Consultation on Governance, Compliance, and Resources, Nagaland, November 27-29, 2019
In addition, Mr. Bablu Ganguly participated in the AGM of the Biodynamic Association of India in Bengaluru on December 23, 2019. Ms. Mary Vattamattam (Director - Programmes) was a keynote speaker at the ‘2nd International Seminar on Organic Agriculture’ held in Temuco, Chile, on October 21-22, 2019. Mr. Peruri Srikanth (Programme Associate) and Mr. A. Chiranjeevi attended the ‘South Asia Regional Assembly of the ICCA (Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas) Consortium held from November 27 to December 1, 2019, in Jaipur. Mr. V. Manikandan (Director – Administration) and Ms. Sukanya Sakamuri (Programme Associate) attended a Workshop on Development Finance conducted by Sambhaavnaa Institute of Public Policy and Politics in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh from November 8-11, 2019.
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BIOFACH India is a leading international trade fair and exhibition for the organic industry.
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4.3 Visitors The Collective welcomes visitors from India and abroad who are keen to learn about our work and strategic approach. They also include current and potential supporters of our work. To streamline this process, we organise structured Visitors’ Days once every quarter. We also host visitors on other occasions depending on the availability of time and personnel. The Collective hosted visitors from the following institutions in 2019-20: •
N S Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, IIM Bengaluru
•
KIA Motors India, Ammavarupalli
•
Sakhi Trust, Hospet
•
Media Ambassadors India-Germany
•
Seed to Table, Vietnam
•
Lijiang Institute of Health and Environment, China
•
Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society
•
Safe Harvest Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad
•
Keystone Foundation, Kotagiri
•
Ramky Foundation, Hyderabad
•
Agaram Foundation, Chennai
•
Puvidham Rural Development Trust, Dharmapuri
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5. Internal Organisation Administration The Sruthi Working Group comprises of all the administrative and support functions of the Collective. It encompasses fundraising, financial management, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME), communication, documentation, reporting, contracting, legal compliance, hospitality and logistics, office maintenance, and repairs and construction. The Sruthi Working Group did a creditable job in anchoring the operations of the Collective. Timbaktu Panchayati Timbaktu Panchayati is the informal umbrella organisation of the full-time employees of the Collective as well as our partner Cooperatives. The Panchayati meets once every two months. In March 2020, the Panchayati had 130 members. Timbaktu Kalayika Timbaktu Kalayika (TC Kalayika) is a thrift and credit Cooperative for Timbaktu Panchayati members. Its main objective is to facilitate affordable access to credit and create a savings net for employees. On March, 2020, TC Kalayika had a net worth of Rs. 45.16 lakhs (US$ 60,700). TC Kalayika also undertakes welfare activities to support members of the community who require financial support due to ill-health, calamities, accidents etc. In 2019-20, TC Kalayika gave donations of Rs 2.38 lakh (US$ 3,200) to 65 families.
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Governance The Managing Committee defines organisational policies, reviews and ratifies decisions of the Steering Committee, ensures legal compliance and good governance, and provides general guidance. The Steering Committee is the senior management team responsible for personnel, capacity building, appraisal, proposal development and reporting, and developing organisational systems.
Managing Committee
Steering Committee
Name
Role
Joining Date
Ms. Mary Vattamattam
Chairperson 14.11.1990
Name
Working Group
Mr. V. Manikandan, Convenor
Sruthi
Mr. C.K.Ganguly (Bablu) Secretary
14.11.1990
Ms. Mary Vattamattam
Sruthi
Mr. Pradeep Esteves
Treasurer
21.09.2013
Mr. C.K. Ganguly (Bablu)
Sruthi
Dr. M. Annapurna
Member
25.09.2016
Mr. Ashok Kumar Ganguly
Sruthi
Ms. Garima Bhatia
Member
25.09.2016
Ms. P. Zabeera Khanam
Sruthi
Ms. Mercy Kappen
Member
31.08.2019
Mr. K. Sannapaiah
Dharani
Mr. Haritha Sarma
Member
31.08.2019
Mr. M. Ramesh Kumar
Militha
Ms. K. Ashwini
Swasakthi
Regulatory Compliance & Finance Registration • Registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act (1860) on November 14, 1990. Registration No: 546/90-91. • Exempted from Income Tax under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act. Donations to the Collective are eligible for tax deduction under Section 8OG of the Income Tax Act. • Registered with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for receipt of foreign funds under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. FCRA Registration No: 094420621, renewed on October 13, 2016. • Registered with the NGO Darpan platform of NITI Aayog. Registration No: AP/2017/0116292.
Bankers
Auditors
Canara Bank (Trinity Circle Branch) MG Road, Bengaluru - 560001
A.R. Rao & Rajan (Chartered Accountants) 186/A, 1st Floor, Venkataranga Iyengar St., Seshadripuram, Bengaluru - 560020
Canara Bank (Chennekothapalli Branch) Ananthapuramu District - 515101
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5. Our Supporters Our sincere thanks to the institutions & individuals
Hand in Hand Fonds
who supported our work in 2019-20.
Hand in Hand Fonds is a fund that supports social and environmental projects in Asia, Latin America,
Institutions
and Africa. It is jointly managed by Rapunzel
Bread for the World (BfW)
Naturkost (the German organic food company) and
BfW is the global development agency of the
Deutsche Umwelthilfe (the German environmental
Protestant Churches in Germany. BfW supports
and consumer protection association). Hand in
our work with smallholder farmers, agricultural
Hand Fonds supported the Mayasabha kitchen
labourers, enterprise development, women, and
garden in Timbaktu.
ecology. SPA Education Foundation Kadoorie Charitable Foundation (KCF)
SPA Education Foundation serves as the holding
KCF is the philanthropic trust set up by the
company of a civil engineering company based
Kadoorie family in Hong Kong. KCF supports our
in Mumbai and as a trust that promotes primary
work with persons with disabilities, children, and
education and healthcare in rural areas. SPA
youth.
Education Foundation provides funding to the Nature School.
GLS Future Foundation for Development GLS Future Foundation for Development is part
Ion Foundation
of the GLS-Treuhand, the German trusteeship
The philanthropic arm of Ion Exchange Limited, the
organisation that encompasses 300 entities,
water and environment management company.
including GLS Bank. The Foundation supported the
Ion Foundation provides funding to Nature School.
Militha programme and the School of Agriculture. Rural Development Trust Asha for Education
The reputed Spanish/Indian NGO provided support
Asha for Education is a volunteer-driven nonprofit
to persons with disabilities to access its housing
organisation based in the USA. Its mission is to
scheme.
“catalyse socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children.” Its
Individuals
New York, London, and Bangalore Chapters have
•
Mr. Anand Nair
supported our work with children for several years.
•
Ms. Shibani Ganguly
•
Mr. Madhu Konakanchi
North South Foundation
•
Mr.K.R. Sairam
North South Foundation is a USA-based nonprofit
•
Dr. Ernst-Gunther Broder
organisation that provides scholarships and
•
Ms. Leslie Barson
educational opportunities to underprivileged children and youth in India. The Foundation supported the School of Agriculture.
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7. Financial Overview Receipts & Payments for 2019-20 Sources of Funds
2019-20 Expenditure
2019-20
Particulars
Amount in lakhs
Particulars
Amount in lakhs
Opening Balance
191.73
Sustainable Agriculture & Marketing
136.93
Interest on Investments
5.89
Alternative Education
73.94
Gain on Mutual Fund Investments
3.65
Ecological Conservation
53.96
Rights and Rehabilitation of PWDs
49.51
Foreign Contributions Brot Fur Die Welt, Germany
364.67
Child Rights
37.98
Kadoorie Charitable Foundation, Hong Kong
156.98
Livelihood for Landless Labourers
15.98
GLS Future Foundation for Development, Germany
29.39
Women’s Empowerment
15.85
Asha for Education, USA
10.80
Promotion of Rural Enterprises
11.20
Rural Development Trust
8.50
Studies and Documentation
7.72
North South Foundation, USA
7.06
Network Meetings
5.37
Other Income
2.90
Training of Team Members
1.76
Individuals
0.94
Community Support
0.96
NASSCOM Foundation
0.09
Housing for PWDs
0.90
Maintenance Expenses
0.72
Domestic Contributions Other Income
6.46
Administration
72.57
ION Foundation
2.50
Capital Expenditure
45.06
Individuals & Local Organisations
1.12
Closing Balance
262.27
Total
792.68
Total
792.68
Balance Sheet on March 31, 2020 Liabilities
Amount Expenditure in lakhs
Amount in lakhs
Capital Fund
246.14
Fixed Assets at WDV
246.14
Other Funds
262.27
Investments
114.84
Current Liabilities
Current Assets
Staff Gratuity Trust Payable
10.20
Cash and Bank
148.75
Programme Advance
1.29
Programme Advance
10.17
Total
519.89
Total
519.89
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Salaries of Timbaktu Panchayati members
Income & Expenditure for FY 2019-20 Expenditure
Amount Income in lakhs
Amount in lakhs
Programmes
199.70
Grants and Contributions
584.35
Programme Facility & Coordination
213.09
Interest on Savings Bank Accounts and Deposits
5.89
Administration
72.57
Other Income
7.05
Capital Cost
45.06
Gain on Mutual Fund Investments
3.65
Excess of Income over Expenditure
70.54
Total
600.95
TOTAL
600.95
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Salaries in INR
Female
Male
Total
Above 60,000
1
1
2
51,000 to 60,000
0
3
3
41,000 to 50,000
0
1
1
31,000 to 40,000
6
4
10
21,000 to 30,000
7
5
12
12,500 to 20,000
50
52
102
Total
64
66
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The Timbaktu Collective Chennekothapalli village Ananthapuramu District Andhra Pradesh India - 515101 Email: info@timbaktu.org Web: www.timbaktu.org FB: facebook.com/timbaktu.collective
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