History of SKDRDP Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) Type: NGO (Local) Headquarters: India Countries

of Operation: India Regions of Operation: South Asia

Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project, popularly known as SKDRDP,

Is a charitable trust promoted by Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade. SKDRDP concentrates on the empowerment of rural women by organizing Self-help Groups (SHGs) on the lines of Joint Liability Groups (JLBs) of Bangladesh and provides infrastructure and finance through micro credit for the rural people.

The Shri Ksherta Dharmasthala Rural Development Project encompasses all aspects of enriching the rural life. It is currently engaged in developmental activities in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Coorg, Shimoga, Chickmagalur, Dharwad, Haveri, Gadag, Tumkur, Belgaum , Mysore, Chamarajnagar, Koppal, Davangere, Chitradurga districts operating in 20,000 villages covering more than 27,18,000 families. SKDRDP is active with its Community Development Programs throughout the state of Karnataka and holds its presence in six coastal towns under the Karnataka Urban Development and Coastal Environment Management Project. During the year SKDRDP has extended its area of operation to six more districts viz., Hassan, Mandya, Bangalore Rural, Bellary, Raichur and Bagalkote. SKDRDP (R.) is registered under the Charitable Trust Act of 1920 in the office of Sub-Registrar, Government of Karnataka, Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District in the year 1991. Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP) was instituted to play key role in transfer of technology, providing the infrastructure, providing finance through microcredit. Besides this, the project also concentrated on the empowerment of rural women and hence began 'Jnanavikasa Programme'.

In the early 1990s, SKDRDP adopted the self-help mode by organizing Self-help Groups (SHGs), more on the lines of Joint Liability Groups (JLBs) of Bangladesh. As on date the SKDRDP is engaged in developmental activities in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Coorg, Shimoga and Chickmagalur districts operating in 4,739 villages covering more than seven hundred and ten thousand families. Throughout the State of Karnataka, SKDRDP, is operational with its community development programs.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE ORGANISATION SKDRDP works in the villages as a single window for initiating the development process. The animator identifies the eligible and prospective stakeholders, sits with them and identifies the areas requiring intervention. He/she then promotes the Self Help Groups containing people from similar background and promotes the federation of Self Help Groups. The SKDRDP helps with:

Agriculture extension Transfer of technology New avenues for income generation

The SKDRDP promotes:

Community participation in village development. Creation of assets. Community development programs. Escorts the stakeholders to avail the benefits of Government program. Manages the Micro Finance. The social health schemes of the project.

SKDRDP not only provides financial aid to the poor but empowers them. With the loans, people are equipped with the abilities to make something for their future and to improve their standard of living. Also it bestows upon them the responsibility of them making their own decisions and controlling their fate. empowering the poor and enabling them with the capabilities is what SKDRDP strives to do with its programs. Difficulties faced by SKDRDP Lack of awareness among rural women about the SHGs Getting the women involved in revenue generating and employing in small time production Volunteers willing to work for the project To make the rural people involve in community and village building activity To market the products, produced by rural women with out proper distribution channel and marketing strategies was difficult at initial stages

Natural and biological limitation As an NGO SKDRDP had to face a lot of limitations Women in SKDRDP rely on natural waste of arecanut and coconut trees and betel leaves to produce the products and these trees are region specific and the women in northern part of Karnataka are supplied with lesser raw materials compared to the regions where they are available abundantly

Socio-economic and political limitations Changing the conservative mindset of women Had to face problems due to politicizing the issue related to the founders

 In the initial stages of project people thought it as an investment project and were shy to get involved in the project

Education and literacy hampering empowerment Lack of education and awareness among the rural people was acting as a hindrance for SKDRDP to implement its project. They started in 1990 when severe drought hit entire Karnataka and then intensified their work to empower women and to community building activities

Factors that help empowerment of SKDRDP Government support for NGOs Awareness about NGOs through various means of communication Government funding CSR-as part of CSR many corporations help SKDRDP Changing view of rural women in about mobilizing savings and active participation in SHGs

Socio cultural and Economic development by SKDRDP

SKDRDP provides assistance to the needy villages in constructing the required infrastructure and the basic amenities under its Grama Kalyana Program. The community takes an active role in developmental process, and involves in quality audit of various public works undertaken.

Performance during the year (Up to September, 2013) (Rs. in lakhs)

2013-14 Particulars No. of units Construction of roads, bridges Aid to Anganavadis Minor irrigation Community sanitation units Veterinary dispensaries Primary Health Centre Other (Library, community hall etc) Grant from SKDRDP 0.60 0.76 1.05 0.70 22.60 Total

Since inception No. of Grant from Total

expenditure units

SKDRDP expenditure

1 7 9 10 61

33.20 5.32 1.05 6.63 1165.18

122 974 264 78 170 46 1164

15.84 105.95 137.59 14.42 64.52 34.95 224.65

162.11 587.86 308.24 147.86 250.22 148.81 4910.98

Untapped market for SKDRDP As products produced by this project are consumable as a part of occasions only they need to focus on products that could be used regularly and try producing premium products to tap cities Negative impacts faced by SKDRDP SKDRDP has faced problems every time the government has changed about the funds that are used in this project and politicizing the issues related to the founder of this project Measures taken by organization to overcome the difficulties As it is a well established and well managed trust with full transparency in the project, the project is now evaluated at each stage and there is full transparency in utilization of funds and maintenance of records Current status of the Organization 1. Solar lighting system was installed to the Pre-University College, Aranthod, Sullia Taluk worth Rs. 1.00 lakh. 2. 1,500 desk benches distributed to the schools of Davangere district worth Rs. 51.00 lakh. 3. Agriculture equipments worth Rs. 18.19 lakhs distributed in Belgaum district , Rs. 30.11 lakhs in Tumkur District and Rs. 1.27 lakhs in Somwarpet taluk, Coorg district. In Dharwad district awareness given to the members regarding child marriage and child marriage avoided in 4 families. Deaddiction camp was conducted at Paduvari of Kundapur Taluk. 92 addicts participated in the camp.

In collaboration with Horticulture Department distributed coconut, mango, guava and other plants to selected beneficiaries. 25 trainings given to the farmers on SRI(Systematic Rice Intensification) paddy cultivation in Shikaripur taluk.