Case3-January-2013

Institutional Updates of Kalanjiam, Vayalagam and CALL programmes

The institutional update of Kalanjiam Foundation, DHAN Vayalagam Tankfed program and CALL program shared in Retreat 2012 held at Nagpur.

Institutional update of Kalanjiam Foundation Ms.V.K.Padmavathi shared the performance of Kalanjiam Foundation over the past nine months which is presented below:-

• For resource mobilization, a new proposal was evolved for SRTT and the first year of implementation is almost completed. The interim review was held by SRTT recently who were satisfied with the performance. HIVOs, MAVIM and Pudhu vazhvu programs also support KF. The emerging core partners are the people themselves who contribute to 30 % of the program expenses.
• With respect to program implementation all the staffs of Kalanjiam Foundation were appreciated for their efforts. Back to Basics was the principle followed to ensure progress.
• The annual plan was achieved in the six month time itself by Sept, 2012 meaning that the achievement has doubled. Expansion and saturation happened across the existing federations which contributed greatly in achieving the plan, apart from expansion in new locations.
• Strengthening of the groups through grading, livelihood and poverty classification of the members, clearing bank overdues, goal setting and strategic planning and resource mobilization were the other areas of stress.
• Field audit was done this time to ensure quality
• Role definition for President, Secretary and Treasurer was redefined by holding meetings of presidents, secretaries and treasures separately.
• Significant progress was made in overdue clearance through which 1.5 crores of over dues which were very chronic got cleared.
• The common fund accumulation began to happen in physical sense
• Audit was much delayed and extended even up to December. However a resolution was taken to complete the audit for the financial year 2012-13 by April, 2013.
• DRCs were promoted in 16 mature regions of the total 30 regions. 16 regions are emerging regions which are expected to expand and stabilize in the coming years.
• The regions can be classified into project implementing regions (MAVIM/ CAIM), location promoting regions and mature regions.
• Vizag, Mysore and Salem are the three regions which have a scale and also strong financially. The DRCs functioning in those regions gives a new learning to the program itself for example Vizag region does a lot of Mass learning programs.
• Kanchipuram Region has set a benchmark for the program by standardizing many practices
• Ramanagara (Bangalore rural) and Ramanathapuram regions shows the way for the revival strategy. The fodder cultivation groups promoted by Ramanagara are functioning well.
• Tanjore Region has set standards through its LIFE center which is functioning effectively
• Tumkur Region has made a remarkable progress in livelihood initiation.
• In Mysore, tailoring activity has benefited 1,500 members all of whom were employed and earn र4,000-5,000 as monthly income, as the garment industry around gives them an excellent opportunity.
• Adilabad, Hyderabad and Gulburga functions as integrated regions

Institutional update for DHAN Vayalagam Tankfed Agriculture Program

Mr.A.Gurunathan, CEO, DHAN Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation shared that program deepening, integration and sectoral contribution was the focus during last year. Greater achievement was done in program implementation by way of spending over 6.5 crores in the six month period April, 2012 to Sept, 2012, while the target fixed was around 5 crores. He appreciated all the regions for contributing to this success.

Regarding the projects done the IWMP and NSO project done with the support of district government earned a good name in Chittoor district. The DHANA project (DHAN-Axis bank) project has a target of renovation/ construction works in 750 water bodies in a period of five years in Pambar basin. From January to December, 2012, nearly 2 crores of work is done in that project alone. The four regional teams contributing to this achievement was lauded.

In the Kanchi region, with limited staff the CSR project of HP was completed very successfully which earned a good name for HP has well and opened up way for new funding opportunities. Mr. Santhanam and Mr. P.A. Viswanathan who were responsible for this funding opportunity were appreciated.

The regional team in Hyderabad region worked under high pressure to implement the IWMP project and achieved the target by putting tremendous effort. There were 24 other project implementing agencies, but only DHAN is known for its reputation of doing quality works. The Adilabad region was the KF and VF operates together, implemented three Indo German watersheds and IWDP water sheds. There were difficulties in achieving the target under HUL and NABARD projects. However the lack of rains this year indirectly supported the speeding of the process.

Thoothukudi region is one which can be lauded for having no overdues with any of the external agencies. In Kolar the Bharat Petroleum, BP CSR project is getting implemented. In Odissa and Bihar, pond renovation works and fisheries project were taken up on a large scale and we are working for the first time in a fluoride affected area there. Ooranis were renovated with the support of DFID funds.

Apart from this water quality monitoring was done effectively using the kit provided by World water quality monitoring institute in 98 villages the effort being very much appreciated through a letter. They are also in the process of sanctioning more kits for the purpose.

With respect to the national level, Vayalagam Foundation participated in the India water week event held for the first time in the country and also sponsored र5 lakh for the same A conference on village tanks and ponds for ensuring food security was held during the event. A book on AHAR-Pyne model was released by the Honorable Minister for Rural Development Mr.Jayaram Ramesh.

Contribution to state action plan for climate change adaptation was also done by Vayalagam Foundation. The state has eight climate change adaptation mission of which DHAN has a role in two missions. The center for research has supported for impact analysis in DHANA project and the community radio functioning from Kottampatti also is of great support in the project implementing site.

Institutional Update of Coastal Conservation and Livelihood Programme

Mr.Singarayar shared that the CALL program concentrated more on program implementation aspects in the initial five years period and the focus on improving the quality and systems is being given offlate. Compared to KF and VF program, CALL program is a new program which had it birth post tsunami and still has to go a long way.

However it was one program where the livelihood focus was given from the day one and constant efforts were done to improve farm based and fisheries livelihood in the coastal areas. The ANANDHAM milk processing units set up at Cuddalore to support the coastal people now started picking up well after initial struggle and hope to get stabilized in the coming years.

He shared that there are currently 33 locations under the program of which seven are self-sustainable. The movement of coastal fisherman and agricultural community “Neithal Movement” was established and the fund mobilization for the same got initiated. A primary health care unit of SUHAM Trust was also established in Neithal federation as a part of health care initiative.

The CARITAS from Switzerland, has extended their support for the dairy activity and has requested for another proposal which has been submitted. The RABO bank support for agriculture and extension activities is yielding good results. IFAD also agreed for supporting the dairy activity in Cuddalore for another three years. Audit has been completed very recently. He appreciated each and every individual in the team by calling their names for their contribution for the success of the program and the self-initiatives of the individual in achieving the progress.