A Dairy Development project to be implemented in 10 villages of Bagepalli taluk was sanctioned by NOVIB, the Netherlands, in January 1984.
This DDP was to be implemented through the CSUs, who would select 10 beneficiaries each form among their primary members, based on the individual’s seriousness and ability to manage cross-bred cows. Canara Bank agreed to participate in this DDP by advancing ₹ 5,000 each to the 100 Loanees selected by the Coolies themselves.
ADATS would give preliminary training, promote the project, set up a veterinary extension service, and generally assist the CSUs to set up and implement the projects.
The need to undertake such a project aimed at increasing the daily income of the Coolies by a few rupees was felt during an in-depth evaluation of ADATS conducted in March 1983, when it was released that the absolute poverty of the Coolies was itself a chief impediment to the building up of the CSUs and the Bagepalli Coolie Sangha. (for more details of the planned DDP, we have circulated copies of the original proposal made to NOVIB in 1983.)
This Progress Report covers the first months of the Dairy Development Projects.