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| ::: Wings > TCR & TI > Studies |
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| Studies |
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| EVALUATION OF GRAIN BANK SCHEME IN TRIBAL AREAS OF ANDHRA PRADESH |
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| Introduction:
Grain Bank Scheme is evolved with a prime aim of mobilizing and organizing the productive ability of the tribals by extending part of their own production, which is contributed to the village grain bank pool for collective use after harvest. It is not simply a process of raising individual incomes of the contributors but to help the poorer and needy villagers to position themselves securely during lean season and free from exorbitant rates of interest charged by traders, money lenders etc. The community managed grain banks have been established in the tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh during 1990s under externally aided Andhra Pradesh Tribal Development Project (APTDP) and Andhra Pradesh Participatory Tribal Development Project (APPTDP), funded by IFAD, Rome. Besides, Government of India have also formulated the scheme of grain bank in the year 1996-97 to arrest the starvation deaths in the vulnerable areas of 12 States identified by the Central Planning Committee which included the Chenchu areas of Andhra Pradesh. The main objective in establishing the grain bank are.
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To combat the problem of food grains scarcity during the lean season. |
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To avoid or reduce dependency on local money lenders or traders for borrowing grains during the lean season at exorbitant rates of interest. |
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To promote the habit of self-help among the tribals. |
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| The TCR & TI has conducted Evaluation of Grain Banks in the year 2001 established under APTDP in Tribal Sub Plan areas of East Godavari District and also in Sundipenta ITDA area where the Government of India Scheme of Grain Banks has been under implementation. The specific objectives underlying the study are as follows: |
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Community mobilization strategies adopted in the formation of grain banks. |
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Modus operandi of grain banks. |
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Physical and financial targets and achievements under different schemes. |
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Impact on already existing local lending system operated by money lenders and traders. |
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Identifying the factors contributing to the success/failure of grain banks. |
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Lacunae in the implementation of the scheme. Perceptions of the beneficiaries and functionaries for effective functioning of the scheme. |
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| Observations and Recommendations:- |
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There was no follow-up after establishing grain banks which led to closure of most of the grain banks. Hence, it was suggested to ensure sustainability of all grain banks by way of motivation, training of beneficiaries and regular monitoring. |
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Constitution of mandal level community mobilization committees by involving local functionaries to ensure timely motivation especially during harvesting season and also prompt recoveries. |
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There are no permanent storage structures in most of the areas and the collected grain are stored in private houses which are not in good condition. It is essential to ensure construction of storage structures with a part of beneficiary contribution and the beneficiaries should be trained in safe storage methods. |
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Under Government of India scheme rice was distributed @ 1 quintal per family without educating the beneficiaries regarding the modalities of the scheme and repayment procedures. Hence they are under the impression that it was a free supply of rice and need not be paid back. It is required to educate all the beneficiaries regarding the modalities of the scheme before distributing rice for the sustainability of the scheme. |
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The functionaries of grain banks should be imparted proper training for ensuring transparency in recording the details of loan transactions. If necessary, one of the educated local functionaries should be attached to them for maintenance of the accounts. |
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