EDITIONS: | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |   [ MANRECAP ] Bulletin No.8 June 2005 - May 2005 No. 8 Article #1: Opening of Multi Purpose Hall: (M.P.H.)   The 03 Multi Purpose Halls (MPHs) constructed at Sewa Village, Ganeshapuram and Pali Aru were ceremonially opened on 11 June 2005 in each village and handed over to the Community for their utilization. These 03 MPHs were constructed through Community Managed Rehabilitation (CMR) with the respective WRDSs taking over the responsibility of the construction work with Community participation.  The opening ceremony was graciously attended by the First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka, representatives from JICA, JBIC, AMDA, External Resources Department (ERD), GA Mannar, and AGA Manthai west, Local Representatives, Community Based Organisations (CBO) representatives from Adjoining Villages and communities from respective villages participated. The well attended community members were addressed by Mr. Yasuhiro Watanabe the First Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Ueshima Takumi the Resident Representative of JICA and Mr.V. Visuvalingam Govt. Agent, Mannar. Scene of Opening Ceremony of MPH at Ganeshapuram   Scene of Opening Ceremony of MPH at Sewa Village Scene of Opening Ceremony of MPH at Pali Aru   Article #2: Operation, Maintenance and Water Management of Tube Wells The Operation, Maintenance and Management of 06 Tube Wells, 02 nos. in each at Sewa Village, Ganeshapuram and Pali Aru was explained to the representatives who were nominated in the respective Villages to operate and maintain these tube wells. The instruction session was conducted by the Water Resources Board (W.R.B) Manager & Assistant Drilling Superintendent of Water Resource Board at the field. Also, the profiles of the tube wells constructed, underground nature of these locations too were explained. Beside these the importance of Water Management, water replenishment, recharging rate and daily monitoring process were stressed.     Training in operation and maintenance of Water Pump   Article #3: Micro Finance Activities   Saving habits have been promoted in the focal villages of MANRECAP with the formation of 45 women saving groups. Loans are disbursed among the group members and the recoveries are done promptly. Since this project became successful, the community requested to establish 03 Regional branches to expand the saving activities. Accordingly, the 03 regional branches would be established in Paliaru, Vaddupithan Madhu and Santhipuram. Further, action has been pursued by Sri Lanka Women’s Development Services Corporative Society Ltd, to establish these regional branches in 03 areas. The necessary formats pass books, membership and other relevant procedural forms and stationery have been obtained to commence this activity in August 2005.   Saving Group Meeting   Article #4: Cement Brick Production Consequent to the Training by MANRECAP on Cement Brick Production using Block Making Machine, Communities in Sewa Village, Ganeshapuam and Pali Aru have developed this as an Income Generation Activity.  In this context, they have obtained Certificate to prove the strength and Quality of the Bricks from Dept. of Building and Construction to validate the Standard. The bricks casted with the approved standard could be sold to private Contractors with a profit margin of Rs. 1.75 to Rs.2.00 besides paying for Labour and materials. In this respect Pali Aru have obtained big contracts for block making and sale and to facilitate curing of bricks under the guidance of E.E. buildings they have constructed a cement tub with their own fund which has been earned through Community Managed Rehabilitation CMR. Since, there are proposals by various organizations for housing and other construction works, this venture will help the community to sell their products easily. They have also intended to expand their skills by producing concrete fence posts etc. This activity is being the model for the CBOs to invest their income in various income generating activities for their sustainable development. Producing cement Block Curing of Blocks   Article #5: Renovation of Kurai / Seethuvinayagarkulam Access Road Renovation of access road to Kurai/Seethuvinaygarkulam has commenced with the surveying & estimation completed. The site clearing of existing road too has commenced and an access path to Gravel site at Seethuvinaygarkulam also has been established. The work will commence during the latter part of July. This activity will be in collaboration with Road Development Department (RDD), Mannar and this work will be executed under C.M.R. (Community Contract) concept through the Community Based Organisations (Rural Development Societies and Farmers Os) of Kurai and Seethuvinayagarkulam villages.     Clearing of Jungle   Article #6: Agriculture Development Agricultural development activities in the focal villages of MANRECAP/JICA are in progress. The main areas focused under this are skill development of farming community through properly planned agriculture extension service, re-establishment of community farming system, restoration of fallow farm lands and improvement of family nutrition.  Among the training programme conducted, the field visit made outside the project area benefited farmers to gather new knowledge through sharing experience of fellow farmers. With the recent intervention by the extension staff, farmers have realized the need of farmer organisation. Realizing this need MANRECAP/ JICA conducted training session on Rules and Regulation of farmers’ organizations, financial management and empowerment of community.   Study tour of Mahaweli System C Plant Nursery at Ganeshapuram   Article #6.1: Plant Nursery Two plant nurseries which were established using participatory approach with community in Sewa Village and Ganeshapuram villages, have provided the opportunity for farmers to gather some knowledge on water management practices like ridge and furrow drip irrigation and micro sprinkler irrigation. Also, the crops grams in the nursery helped farmers to understand the suitable crop varieties for the area. It is true that water is a limiting factor in the area not only for agriculture but also for domestic purposes. Hence, use of irrigation system like drip and micro sprinkler is an asset for the one with the aim of educating farmers. In this connection, MANRECAP will conduct water management training session in their farm nurseries.   Plant Nursery-Sewa Micro Sprinkler Irrigation   Article #6.2: Potting Seedling Practical training on potting seedling was conducted for the farmers of Ganeshapuram and Sewa Village. Selection of potting, preparation of polythene bags and cups for planting and selection of good seeds for planting were among the contents covered in this training sessions. Potted Nursery   Article #6.3: Cash crop and Inter cropping Cultivation of cash crops like red onion in the Sewa and Ganeshapuram villages cannot be ignored and climate is more favorable to such crops. Further, from the past experience of the farmers, it is evident that cash crops cultivation is economically viable. Realizing the situation by MANRECAP staff, demonstration plots and training session were conducted to facilitate farmers for cash crop cultivation. Inter cropping is also an important agricultural activity in focal villages specially when farmers are cultivating Banana. MANRECAP recently established intercropping demonstrations, by intercropping pumpkin within the space of Banana plants at Sewa and Ganeshapuram. Onion Cultivation   Intercropping Sorting of seed onion   MANRECAP BULLETIN Editor and publisher: MANRECAP All correspondence should be addresses to: T. Saisho, MANRECAP / JICA, District Secretariat, Mannar, Sri Lanka Phone: 023 – 2250029, Fax: 023-2250067, Internet address: http://www.manrecap.com  Comments and Suggestions: info@manrecap.com  PREVIOUS MONTHLY BULLETINS | 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |