WHAT IS SHG ?

SHGs are association of like-minded people who are brought together under a organisational framework called Self Help Group formed, promoted, affiliated to and activated by the Bank to work for achieving desired results and output. Here productive activities are aimed in different areas such as veg. farming, poultry and duck farming, dairying, flower cultivation, fish farming, organic pokkali cultivation,etc. There are now 27 SHGs formed and activated to accelerate production in their respective areas. The groups are formed and affiliated to Bank and activated. They are supported and supplemented by the bank for forward march and attaining the desired results. The last SHG formed is for tourism which is now probing the possible advancement.

ACTIVITIES

In all, 28 SHGs are now actively doing productive work in their desired area namely fruits and Vegetable farming 5, Jasmine cultivation 5, Duck and poultry farming 7, Dairying 4, Paddy 1, fish farming and related activities 3, herbal plantation and processing 1 and one non agriculture group concentrating in traders side. The Bank is helping the SHGs in all respects. Bank is extending all helps to SHGs in their respective area as is required for production and productivity.

ADVANTAGES

Unity, unanimity and productivity are the motive behind the creativity of there SHGs. The farmers organisationally meet in every month for interaction and discussion. Prior to this monthly meeting, monitoring committee of each area is meeting regularly to take stock of the SHGs working and for remedial action, if any. The activities are properly evaluated, discussed and problems, if any, remedied. The monthly as well as monitoring committee meetings are regular process.

TYPES OF SHGS

• Paddy
• Fruits and veg.
• Milk production
• Polultry (ducks and hens)
• Jasmine cultivation
• Fish farming and related activities
• Herbal planation
• Non-agriculture traders group
• Tourism
• Paddy (Pokkali)  
  It is a traditional and historical farming , totally organic and nutritious. The agriculture activities require no fertilizers and pesticides.  This is nature gifted. This farming is protected and now promoted to empower the farmers numbering 125 in the area. For the betterment of farmers, procurement is  being done for their economical well being that too at a higher price. Paddy is grown in one season here and fish in the next season.
• Fish farming.
  Pokkali paddy field is a ideal place for fish farming also, where we have promoted fish farming. The entire Pokkali farm field is used for fish farming also. One SHG for the fisherman is working well here along with other mode of fish farming such as cage farming.
• Fruits and vegetable
  Farmer’s SHGs are the other side of the innovative activities. 125 members as farmers are coverd with 5 SHGs. They are doing well in farm sector. Though the area is not ideal for farming , We have developed the activities and achieved the results. We have, now, completed 22 years in this field.
• We have developed SHGs in the area of  Milk production  where about 50 farmers are engaged. Average daily production of milk in the area is 500 + liters, which we procure and market to the betterment of dairy farmers. SHGs are doing here well and their product is procured and marketed by the Bank. The bank is paying the highest price to the farmers in Kerala, that is Rs.50 /- Ltr
• Another area is  Hens and Ducks  which are promoted through SHGs membering 7 having a total membership strength of 300. The daily egg production is around 4000 Nos, totally Procured and marketed by the Bank.This area is doing very well, capable of generating employment and income.
• Jasmine and other flowers grown under 5 SHGs where membership base is 50. The flowers Produced and procured is transferred to flower society for marketing. Now demand is good and doing well.
• Tourism
  The culture of travel has gone through drastic changes in recent times. At the forefront of this transformation is Responsible Tourism. With specific focus on climate change, disaster management, food security, eradication of poverty, preservation of heritage, and creating local economic regeneration, Palliyakkal Service Co-operative Bank has envisaged a comprehensive Responsible Tourism program along with reputed travel and tourism partners.

 

JLG

The Bank has formed Joint Liability Groups as part of its efforts to ensure revenues to overcome the financial crisis of the Covid expansion period. It was started with a target of 200 members and 150 members are currently working on a production basis interested in farming. The services of the Banks Agriculture Officer are ensured to the members and the efficiency and productivity of the members are ensured through proper monitoring system. Through this scheme called Family Farming, the Bank has been able to ensure the production and income of those who have limited land by growing various crops in bag bags. The Bank provides financial assistance to JLG members through NABARD for cultivation.
Grow bags and seedlings containing fertilizers and soil are made available to JLG members through the Banks Farmer Service Center at subsidized rates. At regular intervals, the crop is inspected and advice is given. Through this the bank has been able to run the project successfully.