Our Strengths
Self Help Affinity Groups
MYKAPS has successfully promoted over 1,500 Self-Help Affinity Groups (sAgs), with the number continuing to grow steadily. These groups, primarily consisting of women, function as savings and credit institutions, empowering members through financial inclusion. The sAgs are linked to banks as well as financial institutions like Sanghamithra and NABFINS. The age of these groups varies from 3 to 28 years, with older groups managing substantial capital, ranging between 10 to 20 lakhs.
Organic Farmers Associations
In the past, MYKAPS promoted four Organic Farmers Associations (OFAs) in Nanjangud Taluk, Mysore District, with the support of the Department of Agriculture to encourage organic farming practices. These associations collectively represent 502 farmers and cover 422.27 hectares of land under organic cultivation. The OFAs have also gained membership in a regional federation that spans three districts—Mandya, Mysore, and Chamarajanagar—further strengthening their efforts in promoting sustainable agriculture.
SAG Federations
These federations consist of 20 to 30 Self-Help Affinity Groups (sAgs) within a specific geographical area. Though unregistered, they serve as representative bodies that meet once a month at a designated location. Two members from each sAg—a representative and a bookkeeper—participate in these federation meetings, where the financial activities of the sAgs, such as savings, loans, and linkages, are reviewed. These meetings also provide a platform for banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs) to identify sAgs in need of credit and schedule assessments. Additionally, training programs for sAgs are planned during these sessions. A representative selected from the federation is nominated to serve on the board of management for the Community Managed Resource Centre (CMRC).
Community Managed Resource Centres
Community Managed Resource Centres (CMRCs) are independent, local-level hubs established to support and guide the communities they serve. Typically, a CMRC covers 30 villages, encompassing around 10,000 people, and comprises 100 to 125 Self-Help Affinity Groups (sAgs) within a specific geographical area. CMRCs are registered as Trusts or Societies, with Trustees or Directors elected from the sAg members, while the Member Secretary oversees day-to-day management. These CMRCs are exempt under Sections 12A and 80G of the Income Tax Act.
CMRCs provide essential services tailored to the needs of the sAgs and act as service providers for financial institutions like Sanghamithra and NABFINS. They also play a crucial role in supporting MYKAPS by offering social mobilization services and assisting in the implementation of various projects. Additionally, CMRCs contribute faculty support to JDCIDOR and help organize field visits.
Village Watershed Committees
These associations, registered under the Karnataka Societies Act of 1960, are responsible for implementing watershed projects. Funds from NABARD and the Watershed Development Department are directly credited to these associations for carrying out watershed treatment activities. Typically, the elected President of the Grama Panchayat serves as the Chairman of the Village Watershed Committee (VWC) and acts as a co-signatory on the VWC’s bank account, ensuring proper governance and accountability.
Vandana Mahila Sangha
MYKAPS facilitated the establishment of a producer group, Vandana Agarbathis, in Shyanubhoganahally with support from Jnanachiguru CMRC, Hunsur. The group was formed by members from four Self-Help Affinity Groups (sAgs) — Yashaswini, Gayathri, Nandini, and Sharada MSS — who initially contributed Rs. 30,000 from each group as capital. In 2007, they further secured Rs. 1,000,000 under the SGSY loan/subsidy scheme. The Zilla Panchayat, Mysore, provided additional support by constructing a common work shed for the group at a total cost of Rs. 700,000.
MYKAPS offered various trainings under MEPA and other programs to help the group build their skills. With assistance from the Agriculture Department, they also acquired a ragi cleaning and powdering machine. The group diversified into making condiments and renting out chairs and shamiyanas for weddings and functions. To facilitate transportation, the Zilla Panchayat provided a TATA Ace vehicle.
Vandana Agarbathis has gained recognition through its participation in several exhibitions, including the Dasara Exhibition, Cauvery Saras, District-Level Women Farmer’s Meet, Jathras, Urban Haat International Exhibition, Swadeshi Mela, and Kashmir Haat in Srinagar. The producer unit is officially registered under the Karnataka Societies Act of 1960.
Kaveri Rural Development Cooperative Society
The Kaveri Rural Development Cooperative Society is a Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) registered under the Cooperative Act of 1959. It was primarily established to support Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) farmers by facilitating the procurement of inputs and assisting them in selling their produce within the BCI supply chain. The cooperative has 872 members, with a total share capital of Rs. 471,600.
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