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New Spirit of Unity paves the way for their prosperity

This is a story how a group of uneducated agricultural labourers in remote village of Bhagwada Morle, Sattari Taluka, succeded in owning a dairy.

Bhagwada village is one of the remote villages in Sattari taluka, which is over 60 Kms. away from the capital city of Panaji. The village has fertile land and hence people mainly depend on agriculture. They are either agricultural labourers or small farmers with marginal land holdings. Their income from agriculture is not good enough to lead a decent life.

A group of men and women from this village formed a Self Help Group (SHG) Viz ‘Gotneshwar SHG’ in the month of September 2000 under the scheme SGSY. Each member of the group is called as ‘Swarojgary’. From the first meeting itself they started contributing Rs.100/- per month per swarojgary and the group opened a SB account in the State Bank of India and deposited the amount. They had periodical meetings and each member takes great interest by sharing responsibilities. They also participate in the social and other family welfare programmes.

After six months from the date of formation of SHG, they received Rs. 10,000/- as revolving fund from DRDA for inter lending among the group members. The group selected viable project, which is dairy unit. The group was sanctioned a loan of Rs.2,50,000/-from SBI, Keri Branch. They received a subsidy of Rs. 1,25,000/- from DRDA. They purchased 10 Jercy cows and also constructed a cow shed. They used revolving fund of Rs. 10,000/- for buying cattle feed. The group received training form a Veterinary Officer regarding animal health care. DRDA gave them special training on maintenance of records and accounts of the group. The group supplies about 100 litres of milk per day to the Goa Dairy Unit. Their monthly income is Rs.15,000/-per month after regularly paying the monthly installment.

Before taking up this economic activity, their income as agricultural labourers in the fields was not good enough. Now they have become owners of small dairy unit and started earning additional income. From the first month itself the family income of the SHG has gone up and each member earned Rs.1500/- per month. The formation of SHG has helped them to have cordial relations with the members of the group and villagers. Success of ‘Gotneshwar SHG’ has rekindled the life in the village and many more SHGs have been formed to break the barriers for their economic and social development.

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