Gangga IVCS Ltd., Siju, Baghmara, South Garo Hills DistrictThe village community of Siju in South Garo Hills District faced numerous challenges in sustaining livelihoods. It primarily relied on fishing and agriculture but was struggling to cope with market developments and inflation due to poor price realization and marketing opportunities. Individual farmers would operate independently, which led to unequal sales distribution and substantial waste, and with the local village market serving as the only selling platform, profits were expectedly limited. Further, an inability to trade with neighbouring villages due to transportation costs was a major obstacle, and it hindered their prospects of tapping into more profitable markets. Small-scale farmers encountered difficulties selling their fruits and vegetables with some experiencing surplus and others struggling to sell at all.
To add on to the challenges, the community encountered issues related to credit access due to the absence of banks and financial institutions in the area. They were unable to save money and obtain loans, and hence, taking up higher activities to supplement their livelihoods was not possible. The need for a transformative solution was evident to elevate the economic prospects of the community.
The establishment of the Gangga IVCS Ltd. has since gone a long way in alleviating these challenges. In December 2019, the IVCS was formed and registered with 15 member shareholders. In the years that followed, the members engaged in community mobilization for strengthening membership while the project provided continuous support in the form of training, capacity building, exposure, and knowledge services.
As of 31 January 2024, the IVCS (Integrated Village Cooperative Society) has grown to 600 members. It has accumulated significant savings of over Rs. 74.32 lakhs and regularly provides loans to the community with affordable repayment plans.
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Key Highlights:
- Area Covered:6 villages, with all 295 households participating.
- Membership:600 shareholders.
- Managing Committee: 10 members, including 4 women.
- Financial Details:
- Share capital: Rs. 4.45 lakhs.
- Total savings: Rs. 74.32 lakhs.
- Total loan sanctioned: Rs. 4 lakhs.
While the IVCS was performing well, the true turning point in the community's fortunes came with the inception of the CMC and a cold storage facility. The IVCS, seizing the opportunity, initiated aggregating and processing local produce in the CMC, which allowed its farmers to explore improved marketing methods. In 2022, headlines were made when, with minimal project support, the IVCS ventured into the global market by successfully exporting one metric tonne of their khasi mandarin to Abu Dhabi which stood on a special display at the world-renowned Lulu Mall. Nationally, one metric tonne was also sent to the markets in Kolkota.
The Gangga IVCS Ltd. showcases the high potential of the IVCS as a village-level model for collective benefits and enhanced services if backed by proper support and community participation. It intends to invest its profits into making the services of the IVCS even more comprehensive.