LIVELIHOOD
LIVELIHOOD
Natural Resource Based Sustainable
SJSM initiated the development work in the backwater region of Koyna catchment area, in Patan block of Satara dist. in Maharashtra. The villages are far- flung due to hilly region and are totally cut off from the surrounding world and people were lacking the basic facilities of education, transportation, communication, health etc. The communities living in the area are mainly shepherds, cowherds, etc. with the traditional occupation of monsoon dependent agriculture, wage labour and cattle rearing.
The families are mostly marginal and own very less & fragmented lands due to hilly regions. Lack of appropriate agriculture technologies and following traditional agriculture practices result into the low production of crop. The agriculture activity is supplemented with allied activities like animal husbandry. Income from both the occupations does not meet the household expenses, which compels the men to migrate to cities in search of work.
To reduce the migration from area SJSM made efforts for providing natural resource based sustainable livelihood by adopting various methodologies and programs. SJSM has initiated dairy cooperatives for collective marketing of milk produced by the community, considering koyna dam and water SJSM has trained the community for deep water fishing and promoted fishing cooperatives. Nachani ( Ragi), karvand, kokam, Jackfruit, herbs, etc are the local naturally available resources, SJSM has trained the local women to make processed products like papad, pickles, satva, etc. using these local resources. Women industrial cooperatives were formed for preparing and marketing these products.
LIVELIHOOD
Production Facility
At Rammala, Koyna, SJSM has its own organised setup with proper equipment’s / machinery for food / fruit processing, Herbal processing. Products prepared here undergo a strict quality check before leaving the facility. Cane and bamboo processing and converting them into beautiful furniture is a part of the livelihood process at SJSM. The composting units are used to prepare soil rich manure for the plants. Soil testing facility ensures preparation for proper chemical or physical soil analysis, interpretation of analysis results, and finally making fertilizer recommendations for the crops & quality control of the produce.
Rural Product Marketing
Koyna region is rich in bio diversity and has a good supply of the local herbs for medicinal use. With the entire setup already available SJSM, manufacturers many herbal products under the brand name of “Koyna Herbals “. These products are available in the form of powders like shatavari kalp, shikekai powder, amla powder or in liquid forms like Hibiscus oil, narayani tel, etc. All the products are sold through our in-house outlet at Rammala, or through our SHG or through direct sales agents.
LIVELIHOOD
Microfinance
Microfinance refers to the provision of basic financial services such as small loans, savings accounts, and insurance for low-income people who are economically active. It is a type of banking service provided to underprivileged and low-income households who otherwise would have no access to financial services. It lets micro-entrepreneurs and groups take on reasonable small business loans (microcredits) securely and ethically. Apart from the financial support, it also extends its support towards training, health services, networking, savings account, peer support, women empowerment, etc.
SJSM works in the field of microfinance and has promoted various People’s organization in the form of Co-operatives and SHGs.
