Give man a fish, and you feed him
for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.
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| Getting it Ready |
A
Self Help Group (SHG) called Lifeline of Yazali
block in Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh is literary making
it happen.
Formed
with the objectives of empowering women, inculcating the habit of saving and
offering sustainable interventions, Lifeline is getting the benefits of an
initiative facilitated by the North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA),
an associate organization of Tata Trusts motivating more women to form SHGs.
Registered
under the Societies Registration Act, 2012, the NEIDA has been implementing the
Integrated Promotion of Livelihood in Arunachal Pradesh Phase-I project since
July 2015 primarily focusing on finding innovative ways to improve the
livelihood of rural farmers through enhancing productivity of existing
livelihood-based activities. It mostly focuses on: Livestock - piggery
promotion, Stabilizing land use systems through horticulture and agriculture
development and Forest-based livelihood. Before
getting assistance from NEIDA, the members’ financial condition was very poor. Their
main source of income and livelihood used to be agriculture. But the lack of
technical aspects of farming resulted insufficient yielding and their financial
condition still remained the same and needed alternatives.
Feeding
However,
these women came in touch with the NEIDA and formed Lifeline SHG. Initially,
when the field coordinator informed them about theNEIDA’s initiatives, they
were apprehensive. When told about the benefits they would get, they were
convinced and welcomed the assistance. Now, the Lifeline is one of the most
popular groups in the locality.
Lifeline
began its journey with a collection of Rs 50 from each of the group’s members
for maintaining their micro-finance. Later, the amount was doubled and started
collecting Rs 100 per head, which was increased to Rs 500 and then Rs 1000 per
head. At present it collects Rs 1200 from each member.
Sharing
their success story, Lifeline’s president Mrs Pill Yall informed that
facilitation given by NEIDA changed their fate and improved their financial
status.
Pig
rearing being an important for promoting rural livelihood and poverty
alleviation in the region, the members of Lifeline were provided scientific
knowledge on piggery and trained them to set up proper pigsties; take care of
the animals. They were also provided exposure tours.
 |
| Healthy Pigs |
To
start with each member was given two piglets. They reared their piglets with
dedication and sincerity. These women earn good price after selling each
matured pig during. Sale of each matured pig earns around Rs 14,000. Piggery
has boosted their economic condition. Lifeline’s annual income has also gone
high improving financial condition of each member. The women are happy with
their annual income. In fact, the group has decided to expand the piggery units
by constructing additional pigsties. These women take care of their pigs and
even treat their sick pigs by applying the knowledge they acquired from
training.
Besides
piggery, the NEIDA also encouraged the members to practice scientific methods
of agriculture. Practice of scientific
way of agriculture has resulted better yielding boosting their morale.
 |
| At Work !! |
They
mostly cultivate and grow maize and paddy besides growing tapioca, colocasia
and other vegetables. Purchasing of fodder and silage for the pigs has
come down as they mostly use
agricultural products and wastes as fodder and manure respectively.
 |
| Colocasia Used as Fodder !!! |
Focusing
on the concept and role of SHGs, the members practise inter-lending of funds;
book and record-keeping and micro-finance giving a big relief in times of
emergencies and developing a better understanding of a wide range of issues
bringing a positive change in their thinking and behaviour. They have become
more independent both socially and economically.
 |
| Members of Lifeline with NEIDA's Officials |
Now,
more women have started to come for seeking their assistance and suggestions.
Lifeline’s success story demonstrates that they have been able to implement all
the inputs and initiatives provided by the NEIDA.
Each
member is now more empowered, more confident and more positive. They have set
an example in the area by improving the quality of life, making women
self-sufficient, and bringing brighter smiles to their faces.
