06cd-4685 - Livelihood improvement of farmers and rural Women
CKO will execute a variety of different activities, benefitting different types of farmers. Most important activities are described below: 1. Sustainable Agro Facilitation and ICT based individual farmers advisory service cum semi organic farming This activity will benefit farmer families involved in cashcrop cultivation and is partly a continuation of the programme Agriterra supported during 2005 and 2006. The ICT developments are however a new dimesion and have gradually emerged during 2006. It seems a promising way of supporting farmers in their access to markets, marketing strategies, access to and use of agricultural inputs, finally resulting in better production and better income. A detailed description of the ICT programme has been provided by CKO. Furthermore, there will be a mango programme, integrated training for agricultural and horticultural crops, community organization strengthening. The activities are directly benefitting mostly male farmers, indirectly their families as well. The budget requested for this activity is about 120.000 Euro for 3 years, excl. an own contribution of about 38.000 Euro. 2. Mango maximizing results (proposed 10 year intervention); Training for farmers on various aspect of mango cukltivation, marketing and post harvest technologies; improve marketing and explore export posibilities 3.Integrated training Training for agricultural and horticultual crops like paddy, pulse, cotton and maize 4.Sheep health improvement and shepherd capacity building program (training/vaccination etc.). The second activity will benefit mostly male sheep farmers, and is continuing the activities supported by Metro Cash and Carry (MCC) during 2005-2006. MCC will not contuinue their financial support (according to plan) and therefore, CKO has requested Agriterra to provide more support. The objective is to make the shepherds self reliant in their profession, even after withdrawel of the project inputs of CKO. The total budget requested for 3 years is about 70,000 Euro, excl. an own contribution of about 26.000 Euro. 5. Women thrift societies 57 Women thrift societies have been formed since 2005, and the number of members per groups should continue to grow to about 200 per group (total 10.000 women). Continued support is needed to coach and train the groups.It will enhance their economic position and capacities. 6. Women reading libraries The activity has partly been supported by Booksline and 17 groups have been formed till now. The number of groups will grow to 22 groups, having 15 women per group. It will enhance the general knowledge of women on relevant topics and strengthen their uniteness.