Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP)
The Micro Enterprise Development Programme (MEDP) is a collaborative effort between Dantan Manav Kalyan Kendra (DMKK) and NABARD. The program aims to empower SelfHelp Group (SHG) women in the Narayangarh block, Paschim Medinipur district in West Bengal. Sanctioned in January 2023, the MEDP focuses on enhancing livelihood opportunities and income generation through skill development.
The program commenced on March 13, 2023, with a total of 150 SHG women from 11 villages in Narayangarh block.
These participants were divided into five batches, each consisting of 30 trainees. The training emphasized modern and scientific healthcare practices for goat rearing, organized goat farming techniques, and marketing strategies to ensure fair prices for their produce. The area’s proximity to forests limits land availability, exacerbating the challenge of limited livelihood opportunities beyond agriculture. The MEDP seeks to equip participants with skills and knowledge to overcome these challenges and engage in incomegenerating activities beyond traditional agriculture. Many successfully implemented goat rearing practices, leading to an increase in their monthly income.
Beyond providing livelihood opportunities, the program empowered women to actively participate in economic activities. It also boosted their confidence and provided them with a greater voice in society. In January 2024, NABARD sanctioned one Farmer Producer Company (FPC) for the MEDP area, opening up new avenues for economic development and sustainability.