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Summary
The project goal was to demonstrate and train on technologies and tools that enhance natural resource-based income generation projects for women Self Help Groups (SHGs). This was done through a series of field trials, training and exposure visits with focus on two key activities. The approved activities were kitchen gardens and ornamental fish rearing.
Objectives
The original goals of the project were to find ways by which locally available natural resources could be used by women to generate income. Both individual and collective projects were envisaged. However, the review panel of the funding agency truncated the objectives substantially, limiting them to the rearing of ornamental fish and household kitchen gardens.
Status
- The kitchen gardens performed well, and some members expanded their activities to take up vermi-composting and simple composting. Produce from the gardens was used by each family. Wherever space was limiting, the methods of 3-D gardening was introduced. This concept of gardening is to create a three-dimensional space for growing of herbs, small shrubs and creepers. Micro-irrigation through the bucket and drum kits was also introduced to improve water efficiency. The initial kits were sourced through IDE (India) and were later fabricated in-situ.
- The small-scale ornamental fish rearing continued with the initial set of women. It was not possible to expand the number of tanks due to lack of space in most households. Growing some varieties of ornamental plants in small cement tanks was experimented with and the best results were obtained with Phystia rosetti which required very little maintenance. Additional fish species such as the pineapple guppies were also introduced. All women began to make fish feed at home using the simple recipe provided by IRTC and on which they had received training, bringing down the costs of fish feed substantially.