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The CWDS’ partnership with Mahila Sarvik Vikash Sangha – a peasant women’s group and its network in West Medinipur entered the 13^th year during 2008-09.

This has been a difficult year for the MSVS.  Periods of prolonged political unrest and bandhs have placed limitations on the movements of the staff and holding meetings by women’s groups in new villages.  In spite of the challenging situation, the following activities have been attended to:

While the first half of the year was generally filled with planning of activities new and old, mobilization of new groups and resources, consolidation of existing groups, stock taking of previous years activities, and so on, the second half of the year was largely taken up with the implementation of routine activities.

        Maintenance and Nursing of Tasar Plantation – Pruning and manuring activities were undertaken during this period in six tassar fields on nearly 33 thousand existing host trees. Plant Protection treatment and application of chemicals was done under the guidance of Central Silk Board (CSB) expert before the first crop.

        Plantation Activity – Although no new plantation on wasteland was planned for this year, tree planting activity on a limited scale was kept on the MSVS agenda.  Two nurseries were set up consisting of Asan/Arjun saplings to be used for gap filling in three older plantations. Nearly 8000 saplings were transplanted in two plantations.           

        Tassar Cocoon Rearing – During this year two crops were harvested. 

a)    During June-July 2008 first crop rearing was undertaken with the collaboration of CSB on the plantation of two samities.  Thus 800 DFLs supplied by CSB were reared and produced 25500 seed cocoons worth Rs. 11,600 .

b)    Commercial crop rearing in winter season was undertaken on 7 samitis plantation.  A total of 2700 DFLs were used and nearly 1.15 lakh cocoons involving 150 members were sold to a private businessman of Jharkhand for Rs. 90,000. 

        Production of Vermi-compost – During this year, nearly 40 women were engaged in this activity and produced 3100 kg. of compost worth Rs. 19,000. 1900 kg. were marketed and rest used by women on their own vegetable and paddy cultivation fields. 

        Reen Samiti – During this year an amount of Rs. 45,000 was sanctioned to 40 women from Reen Samiti (Small Credit Fund) for a variety of activities like vegetable cultivation, paddy cultivation, rearing of goats and pigs, basket making etc. 

       Production of Sal-Leaf Plate – The two units of sal-leaf plate making in 2 samitis involving 12 members jointly produced 30,000 sal leaf plates and marketed for Rs. 18,000. 

        Poultry Bird Rearing – The small poultry bird rearing unit of 500 chicks  in one samiti sold 2400 birds in the local market.  The unit consists of 2 members who are undertaking 5 crops during the year regularly.