Participants: Entrepreneurs and production group members from Madhu DS Division villages
Total number: 50 (handloom teacher-01, Development Officer-01, SF staff-04 and 44 beneficiaries)
Date: 11.10.2019
MULLAI Milk Production center at Udaiyarkaddu, Mullaitivu
Mr.Seelan the center manager, in his open speech invited the participants to share their business experience. In spite of many struggles, the production center has successfully progressed in projection and marketing. 25-30 staff are working in the center.
The participants were given time to share their business experience and learning expectations from the center. Based on the feasible productions like milk, handloom, snack production and bakery productions and poultry farming the people shared their expected challenges in the business. For example:
- Juice production – struggle of flavours & lack of market facilities
- Bakery – afraid of profit making and employment.
- Handloom – marketing & continual supply of raw materials
- Milk production – high level of technology required.
Small industry or cottage industry gets affected due to the fact of end product or packing that cannot meet the market competition with other mass companies. Identification of local resource availability is one of the major factor for the sustainable function of a business in the region. Business is not something we bring from birth rather we learn in the process. Quality, packing, marketing networks and uniqueness are important perspectives in any form of business. We also faced the challenge of product lost, financial draw backs, product returns, still successful due to self-confidence and self learning for survival.
Manager concluded with a promise that the center is ready to support such small scale entrepreneurs to begin with toffee production, market linkages to all products, technical support and outside assistance.
JATHU Snack production center, Puthukkudiyituppu, Mullaitivu.
Utter poverty, husband’s lost in war and continuous displacement forced the owner of this business center to struggle for income source. Borrowed Rs. 1300.00 as a loan from a neighbor, she started copper making first and gradually planned to create new business that there is no competition in the market. Going through so much of struggles and frustrations in life as a woman head, now she proudly stands as a nationally and internationally recognized business lady with 83 products made out of green leaves and local vegetables remarkably exported to 3 countries; America, Canada and Australia. 16 employees especially women headed families and disabled women are employed full time. Well recognized business lady obtained national and international awards for her products.
In the feedback session, the participants shared that the experience sharing and life achievements as a woman business lady, inspire them to kick start the potential businesses in the target areas with the support of Caritas-Valvuthayam. Development officer as a representative of government authority stressed that suitable beneficiary selection is important for success and also government assistance given to some societies in order to encourage local product like pappodam at Vilathikulam village but unfortunately these machinery are not used at all because of their inactiveness and internal conflicts. Such inactive groups or entrepreneurs should not be included without wasting resources.
All participants satisfactorily returned homes with full of energy and new ideas to kick start new businesses in Madhu DS division.
