Natural Resource Management

NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Implementing & Monitoring Committee Meeting - Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP) for Women

Date: July 11, 2014

Venue: KROSS Resource Centre, Bangalore

MEETING PROCEEDINGS

Implementing & Monitoring Highlights

Attendees

•STEP Programme Coordinators from Hassan, Mysore, Chitradurga, and Bangalore

•Program Officer, KROSS

Monitoring Committee Members:

◦Mr. R. N. Pandey, Chief Technical Officer, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bangalore
◦Dr. Homiga Balasubramaniyam, Faculty, Regional Institute of Cooperative Management (RICM), Bangalore
◦Mr. R. Susainathan, Retd. KAS (Food & Civil Supplies Officer)

•Special Invitee: Mr. P. Stanley, Deputy Director, RICM, Hyderabad

•Absentees: Ms. Shakuntala Kashinath Baldale, President, Karnataka State Women Cooperative Federation, Bangalore, and Dr. Maya Olga Mascarenhas, MYRADA, Bangalore. The Women & Child Development Corporation will nominate a representative for future meetings.

Meeting Overview

•Introduction: Rev. Fr. Peter Brank, Director of KROSS, introduced the STEP programme and discussed the project’s delay of four years, which led to budget mismatches and the need for local contributions to align with current conditions. Updates were provided on vegetable cultivation (tomato, chili, okra, beans) and cooperative formation (three cooperatives registered). Beneficiaries were advised to sell products through cooperatives for better rates.

Progress Report: Ms. Joyce Pereira, Program Officer, presented a PowerPoint update on:

◦Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
◦Training sessions conducted
◦Seed procurement and distribution
◦Empowerment of women and cooperative formation

•Financials: A brief presentation on project receipts and payments was made. Due to changes in geographical and social conditions, including drought and migration, the Committee approved changes in the project area and beneficiaries. The revised proposal will be submitted to the Ministry through the State Government.

Committee Feedback

•Mr. R. N. Pandey: Offered support from IIHR field staff as needed.

•Dr. Homiga Balasubramaniyam: Committed to assisting with cooperative formation.

•Mr. R. Susainathan: Emphasized that vegetables are perishable, so holding them incurs costs. Suggested exploring multiple marketing options beyond APMC.

Conclusion: The meeting concluded at 2:00 P.M. with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Clement Fernandes, Assistant Manager, Programme Support.

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