Agro processing - a success story

Sangram Vikram Self Helf  Group of the village Konjar comprises of 14 members. Amita Pradhan and Surekha Dash are the president and Secretary of the group respectively. The group was formed as a part of the study of NRCWA, Bhubaneswar and it opened Bank Account in SBI, Pipili branch in September 2002. The monthly deposit of the group is Rs. 280/- @ Rs. 20/- per member. Group members took a land area 0.2 ha on leased basis for three years @ Rs. 650/- per year. In November 2002 they grew vegetables like tomato, cauliflower, green leafy vegetales, bean and patato. Their total expenditure for this enterprise was Rs. 320/- . After two months they sold the produce in the market and earned a gross profit of Rs. 1278/- with a net profit of Rs. 958/- . However, after skill development training on value addition of fruit and vegetable, this group got motivated to start enterprise on processing of fruits and vegetables. They prepared lime and orange squash with an investment of Rs. 1120/- and sold it in the local market @ Rs. 55/- per bottle. The gross profit from this enterprise was Rs. 2070/- with a net profit of Rs. 950/-.
           
This group was also trained for agro-processing through skill development trainings. After that they started making different types of Badi with a total expenditure of Rs. 280/- . They sold the prepared products in the Bhbneswar city market and Exhibitions organized by Orissa Rural Marketing Society at Cuttack, @ Rs.60/- per kg. They earned a gross profit of Rs. 740/- with a net profit of Rs. 460/-. Thus, in a year’s time their net profit from the enterprises was Rs. 2368/-.          

This inspired the group to continue with the efforts to earn money. Amita Pradhan, President of the group being a very energetic and having leadership qualities, tried to create Marketing Avenue for their produce. In the process, she came into contact with a renowned company like Hindustan Lever Limited. The company was very happy with the quality of the product developed by Sangram Vikram SHG. The company placed an order of 40 lime squash bottles @ Rs. 60/- . Encouraged by the success, the group obtained a loan of Rs. 50000 from the SBI, Pipili for expanding the enterprise / business. The group prepared 2000 lime squash bottles, 50 bottles of tomato puree and also ventured in preparation of different types of spices. Especially Haldi Powder. They are selling spices in poly pack in local market. The products were sold in an exhibition organized by State Govt. to promote SHGs. Thus, the group earned a net profit of Rs. 28000/- after repaying the Bank loan. With this success, Group members have developed self-confidence and a quality of self-reliance. All the members feel that group is their power, depends upon collective ideas and actions. This has helped them to improve their status within the family and outside. Now the members say that they can educate their children and have better food for their children and family.