Paradeep, Odisha
Women led Self Help Groups, under Project Aajeevika, have been a dynamic force, having successfully demonstrated how to mobilize and manage thrift, appraise credit needs, maintain linkage with the banks, and work with the federation. They have been strengthening their groups by undertaking income-generation activities through the project. Worth a mention is the black gram cake products by the producer groups of Paradeepgarh village (in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha. 27 members from two producer groups participated in the black gram cake making training organized by the Foundation.
Their very first batch of products were an instant hit in the market because of its low price and their start up netted a profit of INR 11,000 off their initial investment of INR 15,000 from their corpus. This was close to a 100% as profit margin. Aside from the economic benefit to themselves these groups have also working for the social benefit to their village. Cleaning the village pond, settling family disputes and counseling in marriage disputes are some of the notable activities under taken by the group.
To boost their confidence and visibility, the Foundation team approached ORMAS (Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society) Govt. of Odisha for providing one stall for the groups to display and market their products. Mr.Satyasundar Sibaram Paital, Chief Executive Officer, ORMAS was kind enough to provide the opportunity to participate in the Pallishree/ Balijatra Mela- 2017. The women get to produce in large quantities and sell their products to a larger consumer base. This would connect them to domestic markets and export oriented processing units, which provide them a more lucrative rate for their products.
The success of this venture is generating demand and interest among others to replicate as a source of additional income for their family. Efforts are on to reach out to more progressive farmers and interested women’s groups to start commercial sale of the products through robust market linkages.
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