Enterprise Group - Success Stories
Fisherwomen Make Beautiful Handicrafts from Seashells to Augment Their Income
Panchayat: Pirapanavalasai
Block: Mandapam
District: Ramanathapuram
Total members in the EG: 27
Background
Our group, the Kadukai Mangaiyar seashell handcrafts enterprise group has 27 members, all female. We are from the fishing community. We participated in the Seashell Handcrafts Community skill school in Mandapam Block at Pirapanavalasai panchayat, where we enhanced our skills and learnt to make new and beautiful little things with seashells. When the VKP team came to our village, we had expressed that we were already making small things from seashells for the door front but we were not collecting any money for it.
CSS Training
We took training and learnt some new skills. The raw materials were given by the project and we made dolls, corona balls, vinayaka idol, ornamental objects, key chains, waterfalls, bouquets and other souvenir like items. The training was between December 2021 and January 2022.
Formation of EG and Future Plans
In February, 2022 we formed as an EG. Over the next two months, we worked on products with the left over raw materials and sold these products. In May, our group received start-up fund of Rs. 75000 from the Project, which we used to procure more raw materials.
This job requires great concentration and we need to be very meticulous, so we are not able to work more than 3-4 hours a day. And we work on a rotational basis, depending on the availability of the person. Apart from this work, some of us go for 100-days work and also help our husbands who are fishermen, clean our nets and sort the fish.
Right now, we get orders for bouquets, which can cost anywhere between Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 and it costs Rs. 150 to make one bouquet.
Banana Fibre, Not A Waste Anymore: EG Makes Beautiful Products after CSS
Panchayat: Melamathur
Block: Thirupparankundram
District: Madurai
Total members in the EG: 15
Training Phase (From Individuals to Enterprise Group)
The Virutcham Banana Fibre Enterprise Group, comprising 15 women, was formed after we underwent training under the Community Skill School (CSS) during December 2021 and January 2022. It was a 30-day training conducted by the Vazhndhu Kattuvom Project (VKP). During that time, we learnt to make 15 different types of baskets (vegetable basket, storage basket, laundry basket, etc.) pencil stand, rope etc., all from banana fibre. During the training period, banana fibre and moulds were given by the district team for practicing, and it was very useful to us. The trainer also provided marketing opportunities for the products we made. All the baskets we made we sold to Om Banana Fibre Crafts Ltd. in Madurai district (which is the trainer’s business) and we received some income from it. During training, we learned that we could make a profit from banana waste if we formed an Enterprise Group (EG).
Genesis of the Enterprise Group with Project Support
By knowing the importance of forming an EG, all 15 women trainees belonging to the same village (8 members are banana growers) from the training school formed an EG and received a start-up fund of Rs 75,000/- from the Project. It helped us to invest in buying banana fibre. Banana fibre collected from one acre of land costs Rs 15,000/- approximately, and four different types of mold are required by each person (Rs 2,000/ per mold), apart from transport cost. In one instance, we took banana fibre from one of our members.
The Process Towards Becoming Self Reliant
Initially, for making baskets and rope, we took a long time to complete, but after 3 months of practice, we picked up speed. Now, in 5 days we can all produce 2,000 pieces of rope and 200 pieces of bouquet baskets. On the basis of the order and delivery time, we will produce it. In a month we could earn more than Rs. 1,20,000, which comes to approximately Rs 8,000 per month per person. It depends upon the orders, of course, and the income will vary every month. The members will also sell the products in the local markets and also within the district itself. For weddings and other functions, we get local orders, apart from the orders from Om Banana Fibre Crafts Ltd. The training received at the CSS has enabled us to earn additional income as well as build our skills.
Until 5 months ago, we were taking care of the family with whatever income we could get. By managing our expenses in the EG, we have now learnt some managerial skills and in turn become self-reliant. We are confident that we can put these skills to good use in future, while managing our incomes.
Traditional Foot Mat Craftswomen Revive & Value-Add to their Craft with Training
Name: Ms.Deepika
Name of the EG:Elavampatti Enterprise Group
Panchayat: Elavampatti
Block: Tharamangalam
District: Salem
Total members in the EG: 13
Identification of Members
We were 13 members and we formed an EG in the name of our village Elavampatti. Five years ago, in our village most of us used to make foot-mats, which our parents were also doing, but due to very low income and the cost fixed by middle men most of us were making loss. Therefore, most of the foot-mat makers shifted to some other business or migrated to cities for wages. During 2021, the Vazhndhu Kattuvom Project team created awareness on the Community Skill School in the women in our village who do the same kind of business, for promoting and strengthening rural enterprises through skill building. We too were interested to participate in the program, as we could get additional income. And we realized, in the pandemic situation, additional income was a must to run the family without any difficulty.
Training and Upskilling
In the training, we learnt not only techniques on how to make the mats but also about fixing the price and marketing strategy. After 30 days’ training, we formed an enterprise group in April 2022 with Rs. 500 as a membership fee. After 90 days of forming the group, our group received Rs 75,000 as a start-up fund. Before receiving the fund, we initiated primary activities and common understanding to manage the group such as dividing the responsibilities, procuring, storing the raw materials, managing transport expenses and marketing the finished products.
Earlier, in our village we used to procure raw materials from middle men and sell the finished products to us. Or, individually, we would buy raw materials from Erode and Tiruppur districts. This used to result in high expenses. But now we have changed the strategy and we plan the end-to-end process, so that we can reduce the transportation cost. By hiring a mini truck for one day at Rs 5,000 we can collect raw materials from three to four places in one day. Thus we can minimize transportation expenses.
Project Support and Way Forward
With the start-up fund, we bought the required machinery (thari) for Rs. 40,000 (Rs 8,000 per machine for 5 members), thread (30 kgs for Rs 3,000), waste materials (Rs 25,000). Our CSS trainer and the district team have tied up with an Erode godown (warehouse) for marketing. We will maintain a book containing information on the distribution of raw materials and receipt (in kilos)of the end product from each person; based on that we will divide the profit. To cite an example, recently in a week we produced 3 tonnes of foot-mat in three different varieties and sizes (padiappa mat, simple mat andpattamat) and earned a profit of Rs. 50,000. In a week, we could earn a profit of Rs 4,000. This we divided according to production of each member and expenses. Cost will vary in summer and rainy season. During rainy season, we will get Rs 5 extra per mat.
We have weekly and monthly meetings to discuss and strengthen our activities. In a recent meeting, we decided to sell our products in Komarapalayam Toll Gate (four mats for Rs 100). We feel it is a new start for reviving our traditional business. Usually in a family, the male members will be taking lead on this, but now we have shifted to other jobs and businesses, so we are taking the lead and bringing additional income to our family, working in our free time.