THE INITIATIVE

• Ecological conservation and bio-diversity promotion

THE BENEFICIARIES

• Over 100 impoverished families without property rights in Meenakshipuram village, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu

THE CHALLENGE

• Located at an altitude of 1,600 metres, the village had little or no infrastructure
• In the absence of any collateral, institutional support was nonexistent
• Few livelihood options
• Sense of exclusion among villagers

THE SOLUTION

• Promotion of organic cultivation of crops
• Creation of Rajiv Gandhi Farmers Club as a formal intermediary channel
• Solar home lighting under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission with NABARD subsidy and bank loan
• Alternative livelihood options

THE IMPACT

• Introduction of natural farming methods
• Farmers’ Club marketing produce under ‘Sirumalai’ brand. It also owns a pickup van.
• Village now illuminated with solar power
• Regular loan repayment