The journey of Udhagamandalam Social Service Society (USSS) with Caritas India is continuing for more than 5 decades and with National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has been for a decade. When the intensions of these 3 organisations met at a point of convergence almost a decade ago, changes began to take momentum. Strong community mobilisation base laid by USSS with well-trained staff team and the animation concept propagated by Caritas India since late 80’s contributed to the expansion pace. While analysing the decadal growth of USSS, it is seen that Caritas India model of development practised by USSS has been the main source of inspiration for NABARD. The support can be categorised into 3 domains viz., Women autonomy through skill development and employability, loan assistance for livelihood promotion of underprivileged families and support to animated farming groups for self-sustenance and environmental protection.

Self Help Group Promoting Institution to form SHGs (SHPI), Micro-Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP), Financial Literacy Awareness Programme (FLAP), Produce Fund to form Farmer Producers Company (FPO) is the major NABARD supported programmes in the people development programme of USSS.

During the years 2011-2015, with the support of NABARD, USSS had invested 150 training days, under MEDP for members of matured SHGs for women. They were imparted training on Beautician course, Saree painting, Glass painting, Woollen knitting, Embroidery, Tailoring, Soft toys making,   Artificial jewellery and Making designer blouse. A total of 15 programmes each varying between 7 and 13 days were hosted not only in Ooty town but in places like  Coonoor, Devala, Gudalur, Pandalur, Thalavady, Manvayal, and Cherambady where women could access without wasting their time on travel.

A total of 450 women gained the opportunity to attend the training. 86 of them were below 25 years, 350 were in the age group of 25 to 45 and 14 were above 45 years. 206 women belonged to SC/ST, 220 belonged to OBC and 24 belonged to the general category but coming under the economically weaker section. There were 371 high schools completed and 82 with graduation and above. The follow-up study shows that  282( 63%)  of the trained women are employed and 16 (4%) are self-employed and only 33% are not employed now. Women with a passion for learning, need to enhance their family income, disadvantaged because of their geographical location, educational qualification and social classification are given motivation, life skills and instilled confidence.

Subhashini is just one example, who was trained under MEDP and has become a successful entrepreneur running a beauty parlour at Devala. She also expanded her business through establishing a tailoring centre helping her secure regular income in excess of Rs.15000/- pm.  Today she is a recognised expert trainer among NABARD, USSS, TNULM and other NGOs and for 10 days training module, she earns Rs.10000/-. She has become the source of inspiration to the aspiring entrepreneurs in the remote villages of Gudalur.

NABFINS- a subsidiary unit of NABARD extends credit support to the farmers through SHGs and JLGs. In the year 2011-12, USSS – NABARD collaboration benefited  405 SHGs covering 4866 families with Rs.10.5  crores and by the year 2019-20, it has reached a whopping Rs.219.09 crore benefiting 95665 families belonging to 7505 SHGs. During the course of the period, individuals and SHGs have received loans multiple times. Evaluation studies reveal that 70% of the loan amount is invested for income-generating livelihood activities and only 30% is spent on health, education and other infrastructure developments. It is vividly seen that the capacity building and accompaniment support of USSS is indirectly contributing to the local economy.

Sholada is one of the agriculture-based villages in Ullathi panchayat in Ooty block of The Nilgiris district. All the 98 families in this village are involved in the rich cultivation of Ooty vegetables. Having worked with the SHGs, VDCs and farmers of Sholada, USSS decided to bring them under the fold of Farmer Producers Company.  Thus the members of farmers club along with SHG members were brought under the producer’s organization, a shift in paradigm from a village development programme to successful sustainable producers company. Sholada Vegetable Farmers Producer Company Limited promoted by USSS under Produce Fund of NABARD was registered on 10/10/2016. Today there are 420 shareholders comprising of  211 landless labourers,122 small farmers and 87 marginal farmers from two panchayats namely Ullathi and Kadanadu .

Liaisoning with the department of horticulture helped the company to quote tender and supply manure to the government farms especially to Nanjanadu farms and Botanical gardens. Not only it increased the turnover but also enhanced their income. The company has taken tender for 6.6 lakhs rupees for a period of three years to manage a primary processing centre at Dhavanai contributing to the increased income of shareholders through carrot washing and grading for the farmers and also generating employment opportunity for locals.

The input shop is being managed profitably with a turnover of   Rs. 23,59,661/-. The Sholada Farmer Producer’s Company has become a model for replication  and more than 20 organisations had visited this company for learning.

NABARD evaluated USSS’  experience in working with farmers and the model created at Talavadi through the technical and financial support of Caritas India through SADHNA NRM project has been instrumental in NABARD sanctioning 3 projects;  Producer Company at Ooty and Gudalur for vegetables and spices and third project directly recommended by Chief General Manager of NABARD to promote Producer Company at Talavadi.

Talavadi model is replicated in 10 surrounding villages to shift focus from individual development to community involvement so as to protect and preserve the natural resources of the villages for self-sustenance and harmonious living. In each village, Farmer Interest Groups are formed and linked to the Talavadi Producer Company, to help them get more income, overcome exploitation, get regular technical support and involve in sustained farming and access their rights and entitlements. Under NABFINS, 232 members of Talavadi Producer Company have availed loan amount in the range of Rs. 40000- Rs. 80000  amounting to Rs.28 crores.

The grain bank introduced in Talavadi, through the distribution of 600 kgs of ragi, 125 kgs of samai and 60 kgs of thinai has promoted traditional seed cultivation by 200 farmers initially and now 505 farmers are replicating the same in  378 acres.  The grain bank at present has a stock of 1320 kgs of ragi, 60 kgs of thinai and 136 kgs of samai for distribution to new members. In 7 villages, the water bodies are maintained by farmer clubs.

“Today we have 1550 members in  3 Farmers Producers Companies at Sholada, Manvayal and Talavadi.  USSS is privileged to work with NABARD and its subsidiary organisations namely NABFINS Limited and NABKISAN. We can reach our goal of reaching the unreached poor for nation-building. The constant accompaniment given by Caritas Manager Dr. John Arokiaraj is noteworthy ” says  Fr. Solomon, Director of USSS.

“We could gain confidence and establish credibility in the field because of the constant accompaniment and consultation given by Caritas India. SADHNA and THULIR are milestone projects for USSS” says Ms.Supraba, USSS Project Manager who is spearheading the field co-ordination. She is a veteran with 25 years of field experience.