Rural People Development Society
INDIA - $4,475
Dove-Rearing, Honey-Making, and Flower Cultivation
Project Coordinator: G. Bhuvaneswari
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Twenty-five tribal women in the Arunoothu hill area of Ayothiapattinam Block, Salem District, Tamil Nadu started this three-year project. 2010 is the second year of the project.
The women will be trained in skill development and micro-credit for four days. Each beneficiary will receive ten doves (five of each sex) and three bee boxes. The total loan per woman will be $40, which will be repaid in 12 months at no interest.
Annual income from honey sales will be $145. Annual income from the sale of doves will be $400. Annual income from the sale of flowers will be $475. Total annual income will be $1,020. Expenses will be $120 and loan payments will be $160, leaving a net annual income of $740.
From RPDS’ July 2009 six-month report, “In January RPDS met with women from the villages of Arunoothu Hills, Valathu Hills, Aladipatty, Semmedu, and Kallikadu. From these meetings, 15 self help groups were formed and 40 women chosen to be involved in the initial stage of the project. Of the 40, the neediest 25 were chosen to start the project, with a promise to revolve funds to the other 15 as soon as loan payments are made.
RPDS held a three-day training in February on each of the income-generating projects, and distributed loans following the training. Loan payments started in April. By the end of June $640 had been repaid and loans to three new members were made.”
Project Completed: December 31, 2011
Reports from partner: First report, second report, third report