Programmes - Micro Finance and Micro Enterprise Development

Promotion of sustainable livelihood opportunities for the rural communities has been a major concern of PDS. Various strategies are followed to improve the standard of living of the rural population including micro finance through Self Help Groups (SHGs), micro credit, micro insurance, skill development, entrepreneurship development and hand holding support.

Details of Thrift and credit operations of SHGs as on 31.03.2011

S.No	Particulars	Cumulative
1	Total No. of SHGs	1820
2	Total number of families covered	30845
3	No. of Village level SHG federations	52
4	Districts covered	3
5	Savings mobilised	16,16,50,650.00
6	Internal lending	52,29,49,750.00

Micro Credit
PDS facilitates SHGs to avail cheaper and timely credit from various sources for undertaking income generation programmes. Various loan products are provided to the SHGs for different activities

Skill training / entrepreneurship development / hand holding
Potential entrepreneurs are identified and equipped to set up enterprises through Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) and skill development programmes. The association with Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, Ahemadabad, NABARD, SIDBI, Department of Science and Technology and Khadi and Village Industries Commission has enabled PDS to impart need based quality training to the SHG members. The trainees are provided hand holding support in terms of backward and forward linkages in establishing and maintaining their enterprises.

EDPs & Skill training programmes conducted during the year

S.No	Programme	Trade	Place	Sponsored by	No of trainees attended	No. of units set up
1	Skill training	NTFP based	Kannampady	NABARD	9	1
2	Skill training	Home remedies	Kannampady	NABARD	24	3
3	Skill training	Tapioca processing	CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram	FAO (UN)	20	5

Prakruthi Herbal Mosquito Repellent
Under the Rural Innovation Fund (RIF) constituted by NABARD the project on ‘development of herbal mosquito repellent’ is being implemented in Thekkemala village of Peruvanthanam grama panchayat, Idukki district. The major objective of the project is to commercialize an herbal mosquito repellent based on a rural innovation through product development, validation and commercialization. Different formulations and designs are being tested through trial and error method. The product is branded as Prakruthi and is being supplied through SHGs. Research is on for further improvements in the product. Vanasree Brooms
Vanasree brooms are eco friendly brooms made with grass and other locally available materials. The brooms are produced by Girijyothi Joint Liability Group (JLG) which is promoted by PDS under Tribal Development Fund supported by NABARD in Kannampady tribal colony.

Gramasilpa
Gramasilpa is the marketing outlet promoted by PDS and supported by Kerala State Handloom Development Corporation. It is located in Kumily and deals with various handicraft products of rural artisans and Kerala State Handloom Development Corporation.

Blacksmithy and Carpentry Unit It is the training cum production centre in carpentry and wooden furniture. During the current year the unit manufactured and supplied various furniture products to the tune of Rs. 26.81 lakhs. The unit specializes in manufacturing high quality furniture and equipments required for Ayurvedic treatment centres. At present 10 carpenters are employed in the unit. Also the unit conducts regular courses in carpentry and during the current year 5 students have completed the training.

Vanitha Laundry Unit It is a fully automated laundry unit located in Kumily which is being managed exclusively by women.

Eco shop Eco Shop is the marketing outlet of Peermade Development Society dealing exclusively with organic and rural products.

Rural Mart It is the marketing outlet supported by NABARD for marketing products of rural artisans, SHGs and Kudumbashree units. Presently it is located at Kattapana.