Himachal Development, India

 Arpana’s Development Services in Himachal

WOMEN & FARMERS SELF-HELP GROUPS (SHGS)

Arpana has been empowering poor, underserved rural women and marginalized farmers in Chamba District for over 2 decades through Self Help Groups (SHGs). Today, 81 women’s SHGs and 24 men’s SHGs work effectively across 54 villages in Arpana’s target area, with a membership of 811 women and 191 men. They are now active agents of change, development, and well-being in their communities.

These SHG members have taken 818 individual loans for generating income through cattle for milk, mules for cartage, agricultural implements for renting out, washing machine for hotel laundry, etc.

 Activities of Women’s Self-Help Group

  • Build Toilets: Arpana’s team mobilized and educated members to build toilets and use them. Now, 99.5% of homes have toilets.
  • Preparing and Using Compost Pits: 81 SHG members made 363 compost pits to make organic manure from kitchen waste and other wastes. 283 pits were used.
  • Segregation of Waste: Women recycle waste materials to make floor mats and carry bags. They also sold waste items for Rs.1,37,650.
  • Tailoring & Knitting Centers started in Chabdi & Dalpa Villages as requested by SHG women.Trainers were selected and trained.Training courses held.

Sanitation Drive at village Nagli

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 Financial Growth Brings Family Happiness

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Anu lives with her son in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh.

As a member of Arpana’s Himalayan Women's Self-Help Group, she took a micro-credit loan of Rs 30,000. With that money, she bought a telescope camera for her son.

Her house is on Khajjiar Road where many tourists come to see Manimahesh Kailash Peak. Her son charges Rs 100 to 150 per photograph and earns ₹9000-11000 per month.

This is the first initiative of its kind in this area and a new means of employment.

 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR MARGINALIZED FARMERS 

191 marginalized farmers are members of 24 men’s farmer self-help groups. Their individual savings total ₹714,374. They have micro-credit loans worth ₹279,847. Their group fund is ₹54,726.

Agenda taken up in with farmer groups-

  • Preparing compost pits
  • Preparing petition for soil health cards
  • To discuss fodder grasses
  • Information shared for the planting of summer vegetable crops and soil preparation.
  • Encouraging farmers to purchase good quality seed from FPO.
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Irrigation Systems in Remote Villages Increase Farmers’ Earnings

Irrigation tanks with water pipes to the fields, were facilitated by Arpana and built by residents in 9 Jatkari villages, enabling them to grow vegetables. Earlier people only grew maize which did not need irrigation,   but was not profitable.

Now farmers in 9 villages have started planting vegetables and selling them at a good price in the market (See chart below of farmers' income.)

Their income more than doubled – up by 128%!

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)

Two Farmers Producers Organizations, being promoted by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), were formed in 2016 with Arpana. These grassroots collectives provide a forum for learning and a platform for the collective sale and trade of agricultural produce. These two FPOs now have 556 farmer members.

 

Training for Newly Enrolled FPO Women Farmers in Jatkari

Women Farmers:

Women farmers in Himachal Pradesh who have joined Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) are experiencing significant transformations in their agricultural practices and livelihoods.

Through FPOs, women farmers can collectively negotiate for fair prices, obtain quality seeds and fertilizers, and share knowledge on sustainable farming techniques.
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Greening Himachal

70,000 Trees Planted this Year!

360 members of 67 Self Help Groups planted 70,000 trees in 40 villages! Specifically 65,498 fodder trees and 4,306 fruit trees.

They have imbibed a passion for a greener and more sustainable environment for their world!

SHG women planted 354,821 treesduring the last 5 years in Himachal!