Not proud, but happy nevertheless

Mandala Somakka is a member of the recently founded Dairy Cooperation, which is a joint initiative of (among others) the Indian development organisation GRAM and the IIMF (an organisation for rural women and female dairy farmers).

The IIMF started as savings and credit cooperation, but has recently begun endeavors to become a ‘producer company’ in the field of dairy and related products. Since 2007 Agriterra has supported the IIMF in this process.

Mandala Somakka has been a member of a so called self help group (SHG) for 9 years. These SHG’s in turn, are members of a MACS (a group for savings and loans). Mandala has been a member of a MACS for 5 years. Both the SHG’s as well as the MACS are supported by the GRAM and the IIMF.

Mandala claims to be 45 years old and has 3 children, two sons and a daughter in the age of 35, 27 and 25 respectively. In reality it is very likely that Mandala is a fair bit older than 45, given the age of her eldest. (It is not uncommon for local women in the area not to know their own age.)

In the past, the economic situation of Mandala and her family was not quite so positive. This has changed since she became involved in the self help group, the savings and loans group and a milk project with water buffalos through the dairy cooperation. The family does not own land, but they do have seven water buffalos, which are herded by her husband. The buffalo milk produce provides the family with a regular income, turning Mandala from a poor landless farmer into an independent dairy farmer.

Mandala tells us that initially she and the other women had quite some trouble convincing their husbands that they should be able to engage in activities outside the family home. Thanks to women’s joint effort and determination, all husbands have eventually accepted the fact that they cannot control their wives. Now that the women are generating extra income for the family with their dairy project, the husbands are delighted. (Mandala’s daughter is also involved in the project, she tells us.)

Thanks to the milk project, Mandala’s life has undergone significant changes. “In the old days I used to work on the land owner’s land, for very little pay and I was the servant of my husband and sons. Now I have my own cattle and I am the leader of our milk project. I feel like a person now, respected, not only by my husband and children, but also in my village”.

Is Mandala proud of all the things she has achieved? “I am not proud, but I am happy”. It is her dream to buy her own land, to grow vegetables on. She also whishes for a good future for their children and for them to be able to pursue their own dreams.