INDIA - $5,500
Integrated Farming and Organic Food Processing
Project Director - V. Denea Analada

50 women from ten village self-help groups in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu, are participating in this three-year project.

New self-help groups will be formed in the target villages with 15-25 women in each group. Four leaders from each group will receive a two-day leadership training. 120 women will receive training in record keeping, and 50 women will receive a three-day skill training. The women will engage in various income-generating projects; vegetable and fruit sales, vermi-compost production, calf-rearing, and organic pest management. $250 will be given to each group to begin the income-generating projects. The loans will be repaid at 12% annual interest.

ACTIVITY	GROSS MONTHLY INCOME	MONTHLY EXPENSES	NET MONTHLY INCOME
Fruit and vegetable sales	$40-$45	$6	$35-40
Vermi-compost production	$75	$20	$55
Calf-rearing*
Goat-rearing	$50	$3.50	$45
Organic pest management	$50	$12.50	$35-$40

 

* A calf is purchased for $12-$25. It will be raised to sell as an impregnated cow at 14-18 months and will sell for $250-$375. A bullock calf will sell at 6-9 months for $200-$250.

AMF was a project partner in 2004 and 2006. From Kannan’s site visit report, “AMF has successfully completed all the previous RSWR projects. AMF has extended its activities to neighboring villages. The women continue to practice vermi-composting and organic agriculture. Self-help group are active and regularly hold meetings.”

Report for Jan - June 2008

Project Completed: December 31, 2010