Equator Prize 2006

http://ccd.org.in/node/6

Full Nomination

Description: The group works to conserve traditional crop diversity and improve the livelihoods of farmers working on small- and medium-sized farms and landless laborers through training in organic farming, seed collection, agricultural diversification, and supply chain management.

• By connecting communities with price premiums, traditional crop varieties are conserved

• Organic farming techniques, intercropping, pest trap crops, and no chemical use preserve agro-biodiversity - on-farm birds, wild plants, insects, and soil microbes

• Coastal and sand dune conservation and mangrove restoration

• Protection of fish stock, allowing for reproduction and growth

Socio-economic

• Since small and marginal farmers often lack an organic brand due to a lack of organization, awareness of certification, capital to pay required costs, and access to niche markets in cities, TCPC has organized over 100 self-help groups and two federations (mango and cotton growers) to provide farmers with low interest loans (cutting out predatory private moneylenders), micro-finance opportunities and access to markets (Chennai, Bangalore, etc).

• TCPC established a Common Facility Center (CFC) where farmers can process their produce and store for delayed marketing benefits (e.g. receive a better price than they would immediately after production when returns are low and markets are saturated)

• Over 1,500 farmers and landless laborers and 10,000 wider beneficiaries have greater livelihood security (through assured market access), incomes that are between 25 and 40 percent higher, and access to low interest loans

Policy

• The Tamilnadu government assisted the group in organizing an exhibition and conference on "development through business" where 45 community enterprises displayed their products

Replication

• The Aharam model has been replicated in all four corners of India

• Aharam is currently assessing the feasibility of expanding to three or four more northern Indian states (Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan)

Partners

• Self help groups (SHGs)
• Covenant Center for Development (CDC)
• Common Facility Centre
• Community-based enterprises
• Christian Aid
• The Ford Foundation

In the News

Sign of public spirit
Corporate-backed Community Enterprises Flourish in Southern India
LEAD India

Research

Using mobile phones for secure, distributed document processing in the developing world
Rural microfinance service delivery: Gaps, inefficiencies and emerging solutions
Establishing relationships for designing rural information systems
A Community Dialogue for Meeting the Millennium Development Goals
Community-based enterprises and RCDEs: Enhancing institutional capacity and local development in India

Contacts

Mr. N. Muthu Velyudham
Managing Director
18 Kennet Cross Road
Ellis Nagar, Madurai City
PIN 625 010
Tamilnadu
India
Tel: +91 452 2607762
Fax: +91 452 2300 369
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it