Society Profile

Our society is a non profiteering non govt. organization (NGO) working for the rural development in the remote tribal areas for economic and social upliftment of the poor people. We are involved in providing exuberant services in different spheres of economic development like agricultural economic development, horticultural economic services etc. We are also reckoned as one of the efficient providers of economic services in India.

The society was formed in 1997/1998 with the main objectives as listed below:-

• Arrangement of training for the new members of the group;


• Assurance of quality spawns to the mushroom growers;


• Organize the sale of the products; and


• Economic and social support to the mushroom growers.

Duly registered in 1998 the society later expanded its coverage and approaches for the welfare of the people interested in this field of agri-horti allied activities. The main area it has decided to emphasize on running marketing cum service extension centre for the mushroom growers of the state. The role of honorable Ms. President Chhanda Debbarman, CEO of our company has been significant in driving the organization towards great heights.

Governance
The Society has a three tire set up to organize its operations:-

• Advisory committee consists of five members,


• Executive Committee consists of nine members, and


• General body comprises of fifty members.

Operations
The operations of the society are mainly divided into four major areas like:-

• Training and Development,


• Livelihood generation,


• Allied activities, and


• Capacity building

Programme Packages
The Society believes that, if the natural resources of North East region are utilized properly then it is possible to develop socio-economic condition of the people; can reduce unemployment problem and, above all, can fetch foreign money. On this aspect the Society has started its mission “Wealth from Waste” and introduced some unique model of projects, which were unknown to others.

Banana stems after harvest and Pineapple leaves; both were known as agri-waste so far. But best quality of natural fibres can be extracted from these waste materials, which were used in hi-tech industries at present, and continuous research is going on the utilization of these natural fibers. There is a great demand of these natural fibers in international market and demand in domestic market is also increasing day by day.

In 2003-04 our Society had installed 6 machines for extraction of fibers in Ambassa under DHALAI district and Tulashikhar block of West Tripura district. Govt. assistance was received for installing these units. Within a short period we received a tremendous feed back and in July 2006, the Manager of a MNC in Japan paid a visit to the units with the intention to reach in an agreement with us for regular supply of natural fibers. It could not be materialized because of our limitation to supply the quantity as per their demand. Meanwhile, the Society received proposals for setting up of such units in govt. and non-govt. sector in Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya. International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), operating from Germany through the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Govt. of India, invited us providing technological support for setting up of fibre extraction machines at Meghalaya and other N E States. The units are working properly.

We have exported this natural fibre to Japan. They are the pioneer and main buyer of natural fibers. They opined in writing that our fiber quality is far better than the fibers of Philippines. It may be worth mentioning here that Philippines is the only country who caters 70% of the demands of the international market.

In India total land under pineapple cultivation is around 87,200 ha out of which 85% land under Pineapple cultivation is in Northeast region. The potentiality of availing Pineapple fiber from this land is about 600,000 MT per year. Estimated value of this production is about Rs. 6,000 Crores. At the same time it has been estimated that 2.2 Million MT of Banana fiber may be produced from the Banana biomass available in NE region per year. The value of this production would be around Rs. 6.00 crores. Above all, it may create 600,000 man-days which is sufficient reduce unemployment problem of the region. In Indian scenario it is an ideal scheme to provide additional employment and, at the same time there are possibilities to earn foreign exchange too. Recently, Japan Bank has invested Rs.360 crores in Tripura for rural development and some work have already been started.

It is very difficult to start any industrial activity in Tripura and other NE states due to scarcity of electricity for industrial use. To get rid of this problem we have initiated setting up of units in the shape of cottage industries in 60 places of Tripura in collaboration with the Govt. of Tripura and Japan Bank. As a pilot project we are setting up 2 units of this type for which no electricity will be required for running the machines.

In a joint meeting with Shri Kanti Ganguly, Minister of Sundarban Affairs and Rural Development, and his colleagues; Shri Mohanta Chatterjee, Min. of Horti-Agri and Food Processing, and Smt. Rekha Goswami, Min. of Self Help Groups & Self Employment, Govt. of West Bengal, and our parent organization South Indian Textile Research Association, Coimbatore, it has been decided that such projects suitable for small groups will be set up in West Bengal in massive way and MGWS (our Society) has been selected as the implementing agency.

The Economics
Cost of machineries including tax, transportation charges, installation and training arrives at Rs. 6.70 Lakhs. Recurring expenditure for payment of wages and others comes to Rs. 28,000/- per month. But it is possible to earn a profit of Rs. 55,000/- to Rs. 74, 000/- per month from each unit. This was sufficient to attract the bankers and other financial institutions to come forward for investment. We have worked with NABARD, NEDFI, SBI, and Dept. of Science & Technology so far in micro level. Now we are preparing mentally to work in macro level. Recently we have received the permission from the Dept. of biotechnology, Govt. of India, to establish Research & Development centre in our Aromatic and Medicinal plants farm spread in 16 ha land. We hope that with the advent of foreign collaboration on this sector our plan for setting up of multifarious industries in the region based on Agri-horti waste and allied industries will be a grand success which would be a pioneering project for economic development of the rural people.