The Hindu : Novel job scheme for rural women

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 14, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Novel job scheme for rural women

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, FEB. 13. A novel scheme has been launched by the Angamaly-based `Sevashram', a non-governmental organisation, aimed at generating employment to the rural women. Coconut processing and sale of coconut oil are the activities taken up under the programme called `Kerasyam', which is supported by the Coconut Development Board.

The scheme would provide necessary help to set up a coconut drying unit and to sell coconut oil. The scheme is applicable to a group of 4 to 10 persons who are required to raise an amount of Rs. 45,000. The total outlay of each unit under the project is Rs. 90,000. The NGO helps the members to avail of a loan from banks for the remaining amount. It provides a coconut drier and sets up a shed in addition to making arrangements for getting the necessary industrial licence.

Once the unit gets a temporary licence, the coconuts required for the operation will be regularly supplied by the NGO. The self-employment group members have to dry the coconuts and the copra is taken back by the NGO. The coconut oil extracted from the copra is returned to the group which can sell the product to consumers.

The drying takes only two days and the operation can be repeated at regular intervals, at least five times a month. The oil, claimed to be purely organic in nature, is sold at a price lower than the market price. The NGO pays Rs.1,000 to the group every time the latter executes the job of drying up about 2,000 coconuts provided by the former. Again, the oil is provided in sealed plastic containers, taking the market needs into account.

Units under the scheme have been opened at Angamaly, Cherai, Vaikkom, Panavalli (Alappuzha), Koonammavu, Ayyamp uzha and Melur (near Chalakkudy). As many as 38 more units are planned to be opened in the next three months, according to Sevashram sources. While 60 persons have been employed in the existing units, another 300 persons are expected to get employment in the new units.

Procurement of enough coconuts has been posing a minor problem to the scheme. Delay in getting electric connection and industrial licences under the SSI rules was hindering the setting up of the units at several locations, the sources said.

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