Project Outline
The project seeks to improve employment opportunities to disadvantaged sections (women and handicapped persons) amongst tribal communities in the Karjat Tribal Block through training in crafts (bamboo, wood, etc). The project will also provide an opportunity to school girls to learn various vocational and other skills during and after school hours.
Definition of the problem
Lack of gainful employment opportunities is a major problem in this tribal region. Men migrate to other areas in search of work but women generally have a difficult time managing the household. Income generation activities based on forest resources like carpentry, bamboo craft, etc. are also seen to benefit men.
The plight of handicapped persons is even worse. Physical disability makes it difficult for them to seek work outside their homes.
What can be done ?
A need is felt to train women and handicapped persons in crafts like bamboo, wood work, etc. so that they can be gainfully employed within their villages.
A need is also felt to encourage school girls to acquire various vocational and other skills for addressing issues of employment and environmental regeneration.
Which activities are being envisaged ?
How will these activities be implemented ?
4 women and 4 handicapped persons will be trained over a period of one year in crafts like bamboo, wood, paper recycling, greeting cards, printing, etc. so that they would be able to make marketable products from local resources.
School girls will be given an opportunity to learn vocational and other skills so that they can address issues of employment and environmental regeneration. A specific activity to be undertaken as part of this project will be production and sale of cloth bags.
How will the project provide employment to the trainees ?
During the course of the project efforts will be made to locate markets for the handicrafts produced by tribal women and handicapped persons. Marketing linkages with various urban and semi-urban agencies will be established and the trainees will be encouraged to do the marketing themselves. This will obviate the need for dependence on external agencies in the future.
Who will benefit and how ?
The project will benefit women and handicapped persons. School girls will also benefit. More people can be trained during subsequent years depending on the success of the training programme.
The project will also have environmental benefits since the focus will be on easily renewable and environment friendly raw materials like bamboo, softwoods, vegetable dyes, etc.
What experience does ADS have ?
ADS has established a multiskill co-operative society that provides employment to 30 tribal youth through production and sale of furniture made from wood and cane.
ADS has been teaching vocational skills to school students during and after school hours.
ADS has trained artisans and teachers in bamboo craft, wood work, nursery techniques, food processing, herbal medicines, stitching & sewing, etc.
What are our requirements ?
We will need support for :
What will be the ADS contribution ?
ADS will provide a training shed for the project besides contributing a part of the financial expenses.
What is the duration of the project ?
The project will be of one year duration.
What will be the financial implications of the project ?
|
|
Particulars |
|
|
|
|
|
Training shed |
1,50,000.00 |
1,50,000.00 |
0.00 |
|
|
Stipend for eight trainees @ Rs.750 per month per trainee for a period of one year |
72,000.00 |
0.00 |
72,000.00 |
|
|
Honorarium to one master craftperson @ Rs.1,200 per month |
14,400.00 |
0.00 |
14,400.00 |
|
|
Tools & Equipment for wood, bamboo and stitching (list given below) |
55,000.00 |
5,000.00 |
50,000.00 |
|
|
Raw materials (bamboo, softwood, cotton cloth) |
30,000.00 |
10,000.00 |
20,000.00 |
|
|
Consummables (thread, needles, inks, dyes, varnish, nails, etc.) |
15,000.00 |
5,000.00 |
10,000.00 |
|
|
Support for marketing of handicrafts |
15,000.00 |
10,000.00 |
5,000.00 |
|
|
Furniture (cupboards, tables, chairs, fans) |
15,000.00 |
15,000.00 |
0.00 |
| Total |
3,66,400.00 |
1,95,000.00 |
1,71,400.00 |
List of equipment
| 1. | Wood | |
|
a. |
Band saw |
20,000.00 |
|
b. |
Work Bench with 2 vices |
8,000.00 |
|
c. |
Hand tools (Chisels, saw, hammer, etc.) |
10,000.00 |
| 2. | Bamboo | |
|
a. |
Drill machine |
3,000.00 |
|
b. |
Hand tools |
2,000.00 |
| 3. | Stitching | |
|
a. |
Sewing machines (4 @ Rs.3,000 per machine) |
12,000.00 |
| Total |
55,000.00 |
Background
The period 1973-79 saw the initiation and development of the Graduate Volunteer Scheme at the University of Bombay. The Scheme received international recognition for its innovative efforts in linking education to community needs. Academy of Development Science was established as an autonomous institution in 1980 by the same team that designed and led the University project.
Social Perspective and Role
Academy of Development Science, as a people oriented Science & Technology organisation, is primarily concerned with the problems faced by village communities, particularly the tribals, the landless and small & marginal farmers.
It sees the rural environment as relatively more balanced than the urban industrial environment. The Academy is committed to rural work based on an appreciation of many positive features of rural life and society. It sees a big challenge in revitalisation of the rural economy whilst strengthening its ecological base.
One of the constant endeavours of the Academy is to motivate ?knowledge? as a social function (as represented by individuals and knowledge-oriented institutions) to serve the need of ordinary "shramik" people in rural areas. This has become necessary today on account of distortions in the social order as a result of which we find ?knowledge? largely serving power and wealth and minimum needs of millions not being met.
It draws inspiration from the rich and diverse indigenous cultures and knowledge systems. At the same time it believes that it is necessary to assimilate western S & T wherever it is relevant to national needs.
Legal Status
The Academy of Development Science is a registered Public Trust and Charitable Society. It has a 7-member Managing Committee (Board of Trustees) which is responsible for policy decisions. The Executive Committee, consisting of project leaders of various programmes being implemented, is responsible for day-to-day management.
Appendix I, Page No. 2
Location
ADS campus, with simple infrastructural facilities, is situated on 40 acres near Kashele village in the Karjat Tribal Block, Raigad District, Maharashtra. A map showing location of ADS is attached.
ADS is 16 kms from Karjat town which is midway between Bombay and Pune on road and rail routes. Kashele village lies on the Karjat-Murbad Road.
Sources of Funds
The Academy accepts funds from sources that respect its autonomy and are willing to contribute to its self-reliance. Donations made to the Academy are exempt from Income Tax under Section 80G of Income Tax Act.
Long-term Role
The Academy is being developed as a science, technology and development education ?training? centre for village-level workers of rural social-action groups, environmental and health organisations and other rural institutions interested in S&T. Training in S&T related areas is the long-term focus of Academy. Applied research carried out at Academy is intended to develop people-oriented programmes and ?feed in? the research experiences into its teaching programmes. Grassroots ?action? undertaken by Academy is confined to villages of Karjat Tribal Block.
Thrust Areas
Traditional Medicine and Primary Health Care
Objective of the project is to demonstrate contemporary relevance of local health traditions in meeting the primary health care needs of local tribal communities. Activities during 1998-99 were :
Biodiversity Conservation
The focus of Academy?s work on biodiverstiy is to promote conservation and sustainable utilisation of indigenous plant genetic resources of agricultural crops, medicinal plants, forest and fruit trees. A brief account of activities undertaken during 1998-99 is given below :
Appendix II, Page No. 2
Annual report for 1998-99
Village Technologies for Employment and self-reliance
Objective of the Food Processing Centre of ADS is to generate ecologically sound and sustainable sources of employment for tribal people. The unit has done innovative work in developing and standardising several products based on processing of locally available fruits. Main activities during 1998-99 were :
Academy has established a rural technology workshop to impart training to tribal youth and women in various technical skills like fabrication, blacksmithy, wood work, lacquer ware, cane & bamboo work and construction technology. The workshop has been registered as an independent co-operative society. The co-operative provides fulltime employment to about 30 tribal persons. Activities during 1998-99 were :
Appendix II, Page No. 3
Annual report for 1998-99
School Education
Academy has set up a formal school on the campus. In addition to conventional subjects, children are taught to work with their hands and learn skills like carpentry, bamboo work, lacquer ware toys, nursery/ grafting techniques, sewing, book binding, etc. The aim is to give enough opportunities and freedom to the children to learn and to develop their own interest and also to generate in them an understanding and love for nature. The school strives to make education a meaningful and joyful experience for children. Co-curricular activities during 1998-99 were :
Watershed Development
The Watershed Development programme of ADS is concerned about restoring the ecological balance of the area for improved livelihood opportunities to local people. Village watershed committees are responsible for planning and implementation of the programme. Activities during 1998-99 were :
Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
ADS is engaged in serious efforts to improve the socio-economic status of women by promoting formation of SHGs in villages of Karjat Tribal Block. 40 SHGs have been established so far. Activities during 1998-99 were :
Appendix II, Page No. 4
Annual report for 1998-99
Food Security
ADS is promoting food security of marginalised sections through setting up of village level grain banks. ADS provides the initial grain loan and entrusts management of the grain bank to a Village Panch Committee consisting of village elders. Each village grain bank achieves self-reliance by repaying the grain loan borrowed from ADS over a period of four years.
ADS has so far established grain banks in 70 villages of Karjat Tribal Block and some adjoining parts of Thane district. These grain banks have promoted food security amongst small & marginal farmers and landless people and have reduced their dependence on sahukars (money lenders). The Government of Maharashtra has acknowledged the ADS programme as a pioneering effort in promoting food security in tribal areas and it has taken up replication of the programme in all tribal areas of the State.
Activities during 1998-99 were :
Area And Location
ADS is located in the Karjat Tribal Block (KTB) of Raigad District in Maharashtra State (about 120 kms South East of Bombay city). There are 50 revenue villages and 105 hamlets or wadis in the KTB.
People
The main inhabitants of this area are tribals. Three tribes, viz. Thakurs (40-50%), Mahadev Kolis (10-15%) and Katkaris (< 5%) constitute a majority of the population. Non-tribals constitute about 30-35%. Thakurs and Mahadev Kolis own land and practice agriculture but Katkaris are generally landless. They depend on labour for their livelihood.
Socio-economic Status
Most tribals are small & marginal farmers or landless labourers. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood but the single rainfed crop of cereals is unable to feed most families for more than 6 months. There is no employment in the area apart from felling trees for forest contractors or working as labourers in fields or on government jobs. This kind of employment benefits a minority of the population for a short period of time.
Cash is a scarce commodity in the face of widespread unemployment and quite often tribals do not have cash even for requirements like purchase of food grains or other essential commodities. Unforeseen requirements or bigger problems like marriages, house construction or repairs, illness or death in the family, etc. are even more difficult to manage. The only alternative they have is to borrow in cash or kind from money lenders at exhorbitant interest rates. Tribals often find it difficult to repay the money lender?s loan.
In the past, forests used to provide various subsistence needs of a majority of people during the lean months but these days people are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet on account of widespread deforestation. Deforestation has also resulted in decreased employment to those engaged in tree felling.
Land
The region is characterised by fractured basalt rock geology and laterite soils. The soil cover is shallow and there is serious soil erosion in places devoid of tree cover. The hilly and undulating terrain renders barren slopes highly susceptible to soil erosion.
Rice is cultivated in the valleys and on plain lands while the gentle slopes are used for cultivation of millets. The soils are not fertile. Annual recycling of biomass by the deciduous plant species helps in restoring the fertility of soils to some extent. The quality of soils is deteriorating because of the dwindling forest cover and increasing use of chemical fertilisers for boosting agricultural productivity.
Appendix III, Page No. 2
Climate
The climate of the region is characterised by three distinct seasons, viz. Summer (February to May-June), Monsoon (June to September-October) and Winter (November to January-February). The temperatures range from a maximum of 42oC during summers to a minimum of 12oC during winters.
Rainfall
The area receives abundant rainfall during the South West Monsoon distributed over 4 months (mid June to mid October). The average annual rainfall is 3,200 mm but most of this water runs off to the sea due to the fractured basalt rock geology and the poor water holding capacity of the laterite soils. A seasonal river (Chilar) runs through the area but it dries up completely by the month of March. There is an acute drinking water scarcity during summer months and villagers often have to walk long distances to fetch drinking water. This generally means increased work load for the women.
Water scarcity in turn results in unhygenic conditions in villages leading to the contamination of drinking water sources. These conditions provide fertile ground for spread of various diseases.
Agriculture
Most people of this area (tribals as well as non-tribals) are small & marginal farmers with average land holdings of 2-5 acres (1-2 acres rice fields and 2-3 acres upland). Agriculture consists of a single rainfed crop during monsoon (June to October). Main crops are Rice and Finger Millet (Ragi). Proso Millet (Varai) is grown on a smaller scale. Some pulses are also grown as intercrop in the millets. Of the total land area of about 75,000 acres, only 26% is cultivable land. The land under rice is a meager 11%. The soils of the region are not fertile and hence agriculture is not an economically viable proposition. Agriculture, on its own, is unable to sustain the tribal communities.
Forests
The region is characterised by Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests. The common plant species found in the area are Tectona grandis (Teak), Madhuca indica (Moha), Butea monosperma (Palash), Terminalia crenulata (Aien), Bridelia retusa (Asana), Lagerstroemia parviflora (Bondara), Acacia catechu (Khair), Carissa carandas (Karvanda), Calycopteris floribunda (Ukshi), Woodfordia fruiticosa (Dhayati), etc.
Forests have been an important source of wild foods during the lean months to the people. Tubers / rhizomes, vegetables, fruits & nuts, oil seeds, gum, fish, crabs, game, honey, etc. are some of the important wild foods. Forests also provide a number of other day-to-day needs like medicines, fodder, fuelwood, timber, fibre, manure, wood for construction, tools & crafts, implements, dyes, etc. Forests thus plays an important role in meeting the subsistence needs of local communities.
Forest cover of this region has gradually decreased over the years with a result that today there are hardly any forests left. The main cause of deforestation in this area is timber extraction (Sag, Aien, Asana, Hedu, Kalamb, Shisav, Moha, etc.).
Please fill up this form and attach it with your detailed project proposal and send it to
Association for India's Development, P. O. Box
149, College Park, MD 20741, USA
| Name of the organisation | : | Academy of Development Science |
| Name of the project | : | Employment opportunities to disadvantaged groups within tribal communities through skill training. |
| Address | : | Kashele Post, Karjat Taluka, Raigad District, Maharashtra State 410 201, India |
| Directions for reaching the project area from the nearest city | : | Nearest cities are Mumbai and Pune. Reach Karjat by train from Mumbai or Pune and catch a ST bus to Kashele village (16 Kms). Walk 2 Kms to reach ADS campus from Kashele. ADS is also accessible by road from Mumbai and Pune. |
| Name of the person co-ordinating the project | : | Peter Bakos |
| Address | : | same as above |
| Phone Number | : | 0091-2148-24007 |
| Fax | : | 0091-2148-22479 |
| Please provide the following information : | ||
| Checks should be made payable to | : | Academy of Development Science |
| To whom and where the check should be sent to : | ||
| Name of the person | : | Rajeev Khedkar; Title : Secretary |
| Address | : | Academy of Development Science, Kashele Post, Karjat Taluka, Raigad District, Maharashtra State 410 201, India |
| Any special requirements for the way the funding has to be sent | : | Checks should be made payable at "Mumbai" only. |
| Briefly state the goals and objectives of the organisation | : | Academy of Development Science, as a people oriented Science & Technology organisation, is primarily concerned with the problems faced by village communities, particularly the tribals, the landless and small & marginal farmers. Major objective of the organisation is to promote sustainable development by seeking active participation of the community. |
| A brief summary of the project for which funding is requested | : | The project seeks to provide gainful employment opportunities to marginalised groups (mainly women and the handicapped) through skill training in bamboo craft and wood work. |
| Funding amount requested | : | Rs. 1,71,400.00 |
| Signature of the coordinator | : | |
For AID Office use only : Date project was received and person receiving : ___________________
AID personnel coordinating the project :
Name : ____________________________ Name : ____________________________
Address : ___________________________ Address : ___________________________
Phone No. : _________________________ Phone No. : _________________________
Email : ____________________________ Email : _____________________________
Chapter : ___________________________ Chapter : ___________________________
Amount approved : ___________________ Date approved : ______________________
Instalment 1 sent on : _________________ Instalment 2 sent on : __________________
Feedback received on date : ____________ Project completed on date : _____________