Grants :: Small Grant Facilities :: Providing micro-finance loans for alternative livelihoods that reduce pressure on coastal ecosystems in Kalpitiya, Puttalam District
Micro finance scheme recipient - back yard chicken rearing , Puttalam © Kumudini Ekarathttp://www.mangrovesforthefuture.org/#Root_Topicsne, 2012
Ammathottam – a fishing village – is located on the western coast of Puttalam Lagoon in the Kalpitiya DS Division in the Puttalam District. Here, communities depend on lagoon fisheries – particularly for seafood. The Puttalam Lagoon is being fished currently at a rate of one and a half times the amount it should be and according to these communities, the fish catch is decreasing. In addition, habitat destruction for infrastructure development and pollution from shrimp farms and cultivation are further damaging this vital Lagoon.
This community at Ammathottam is also poor and malnourishment among children is rising.
Poverty and a high dependence on a declining natural resource leave this community with few options to improve their quality of life. Providing alternative livelihoods to this community to improve their well-being while reducing the pressure on Lagoon resources is, therefore, important.
Interventions:
42 women from fisher families.
More women are requesting loans and training for self-employment.
On average, a woman earns the following as supplemental income for her household:
Activity |
Amount of loan given |
Profit made (per month) |
Dry fish production |
~ 37 USD (5,000LKR) |
~30 USD (4,000LKR) |
Poultry farming |
~ 75 USD (10,000 LKR) |
~45USD (6,000 LKR) |
Goat rearing |
~ 75 USD (10,000 LKR) |
Not sold at the time of preparing this fact sheet |
Vegetable cultivation |
~150 USD (20,000LKR) |
~150 USD (20,000LKR) over 5 months (which comprises a growing season) |
Weaving palm fronds |
37. 6 USD (5,000 LKR) |
~22 USD (3,000 LKR) |
Small shop |
~ 75 USD (10,000 LKR) |
~66 USD (9,000 LKR) |
The direct beneficiaries were 42 women. But the entire family benefited from the additional income generated through the micro-finance scheme.
Any project dealing with micro-finance needs to be monitored closely and grants should be given on an instalment basis, depending not only on the success of the livelihood but also on whether repayments have been made.
Ammathottam in Kalpitiya, Puttalam District
1st May 2011 to 30th Apr 2012
LKR 500,000.00
Direct beneficiaries are women. However they are assisted by male members of the families as and when needed.