The Timbaktu Collective Information

The Timbaktu Collective promotes an alternative livelihood options for agricultural labourer families. 32 labour sanghas have been formed under this programme and are federated and registered as yet another producer-owned business enterprise, called Gramasiri mutually-aided cooperative in March 2010. Members of Gramasiri have taken up the business of rearing and selling of small ruminants. This has really flourished during 2010/11. The small ruminant business has given quick access to cash income. Within 6-8 months people are able to get 4-5 times their investment. The program distributed 4-5 goats / sheep to each family as a seed capital. The families from thereon have multiplied these assets 6-7 times within 2 years. Many of the families have used these returns to further set-up small businesses. Some continue to buy more goats / sheep and herd 30-40 animals. Various members, individually and collectively have entered into the fresh meat business, which has expanded within a period of 6 months to 3 centres. Collectively, the members of Gramasiri are now accumulating capital through monthly savings to expand the business in a big way. The program is now set to expand from 270 families to over 700 families in the coming year. Ramaiyya gets paid Rs.200 + 5kgs rice + vegetables for keeping his goats for a night on a piece of farm land. Rams start being productive when they are 1 year old and within 2-3 years can fetch 10 times their initial cost. Narayanappa set up a small shop that earns him Rs.4000-5000 a month by rearing and selling sheep Narsimhulu sold 30 sheep for Rs.64,000. He plans to buy sheep again.