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Micro credit groups boost women enterpreneurship

Maleeha Raghaviah

A group of women on the athanikkal beach in Kozhikkode, Kerala, are a different lot from what they were a year - and - a - half back. K. T. Remila exudes confidence, is enthusiastic, optimistic. So are the other women in her group, Praseeda, Lakshmi, Khadeeja.... Some have started to learning to drive, many can cycle. Their life style has improved. Their children go to school regularly. There is a sense of empowerment.
Remila heads the 10- member microcredit group ' Souhardam', set up under Kudumbasree, an example of the success of women enterpreneurship in the state.

The micro enterprise is one of similar units operating in 58 corporations/municipalities, and 991 grama panchayats in Kerala.

The Kudumbashree director K. T. Jose, explains that the objective is " to eradicate absolute poverty from the state in 10 years. The women fall in the nine parameters identified by the non monetary poverty index." The target is to bring 20 lakh below poverty line (BPL) families above poverty line by 2008.
As per statistics on August 31, 2002, as many as 93,490 Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs), have been registered in the 991 panchayats of Kerala covering 19,01,250 families, and of these 17,65,814 fall under thrift families. A sum of Rs. 9,24,993,542 is the thrift amount from these women, besides a loan amount of Rs. 8,28,717,964. This was besides falling under tribal districts. The thrift societies are expected to develop as full - fledged banks.
Women enterpreneurship in the State has received a tremendous boost under the Kudumbashree which has its objective of elimination of poverty through the setting up of small enterprises managed by women.

Thousands of women find a new meaning in life as members of micro-enterprises set up through the NHGs. The microenterprises women manage various activities including copra units, packaging coconut oil, fishing net making, masonry, IT outlets and many others.

The Kozhikkode District Mission coordinator, K. M. Najma, says it is an endeavour to develop the enterpreneurial talent among women. The concept hinges on the feminine facet of poverty, and womens responsiblity for family and paying back institutional credit. " The canteen at the Kozhikkode District court and Homeo College managed by Kudumbashree NHG, are examples of highly viable units."

It is an experiment in community based women-oriented participatory approach to povety eradication operating with the assistance of the State Government, Government of India, Nabard, and Unicef in association with the local self government of Kerala.

The enterprises operate on institutional finance besides a thrift loan. The mission ensures that women are trained well in business they are to set up, besides monitoring the performance once the loan is given. A Repayment Information System (RIS), operates to monitor, and intervene in case of need.

The three tier system comprises the Neighbourhood Group,an association of 15 to 40 poor house holds, each represented by a women; Area Development Society (ADS), and community Development Society (CDS), a registered body.

There are nine non economic parameters underwhich poverty is identified by the mission which include lack of kutcha house, non-access to safe drinking water, sanitary latrine, illiterate adult in family etc. If any four or more of the above risk factors exist the family is treated as a 'risk family'.

In Kozhikkode corporation area, there are 72 enterpreneural groups, with 28 in Vadakara and Koilandi municipalities.

The thrift collection from these societies has totalled a sum of Rs. 7 crores, says Ms. Najma.

Remila who is also the the president of the Area Development society (ADS), says " We started with four metres of cloth, sewing shawls with tassels. A shopkeeper gave us 50 metres. We made100 shawls. We were flooded with orders. Anyone from five to 50 years can do this work. We are now on to taking up embroidery and diversifying our activities to other areas too. The competition is heavy, we can not afford to relax. We face stiff competition from private enterpreneurs who have entered the field."

The menfolk, many of who do not have a stable income, assist the women to carry on the buiseness.
According to CDS project officer, Koilandi, T. K. Mohanan, "of the 19 units, 16 have started operations. There is wide diversity in the activities . There are three canteens and computer units, besides soap and paper products making units, fish processing(salting), umbrella making, preparing traditional delicacies etc.

" The NHG members also take up coconut grinding at the rate of Rs. 5 a coconut. An enterprising initiative taken up by women is the masonry unit, besides the one making after-delivery tonics.

As many as 15 Kudumbashree micro enterprises operate in Vadakara. A well managed successful unit which has earned kudos for the women is the canteen at the Vadakara bus stand. The loan came from the Indian bank. The women who started operating food outlet from a shed, have now created a highly condusive ambience.

The Hindu
October 18, 2002