Social Education and Development Society: SEDS & trees

Welcome!

SEDS, the Social Education and Development Society, was founded in 1980 by Rajen Joshua and Manil Jayasena as a grassroots development NGO, motivated by the desire to help the poorest of the poor in the drought-prone area of Anantapur District in Andhra Pradesh. In the early days, the main focus of the work was on community development by way of non-formal education and small loans to skilled target communities like cobblers, basket weavers, blanket weavers and others.

As Anantapur is the second most drought prone area in India and much of its natural resources are depleted, it soon became clear that environmental problems would have to be tackled first, if peoples’ livelihoods were to be made sustainable. Starting in 10 villages near the small town of Penukonda a scheme of pioneering work was developed which aimed to empower local communities and improve their environment. Initially small nurseries were started for homestead plantations and planting of avenue trees along village roads. Re-a-forestation and more sustainable agricultural practices were introduced. From 1990, SEDS started using a more participatory approach, through the formation of Community Based Organizations. Involving the communities more in the effort made them actual stakeholders in the development process of the region. Throughout the years the scope and area of the work increased and the fruits of the sustained efforts became visible in the greener environment and the enthusiasm of the communities.

Today, SEDS is working through an integrated rural development approach with an emphasis on women’s empowerment, watersheds, re-a-forestation and natural resource management. This is within five Mandals in the southern part of Anantapur District, in south western Andhra Pradesh namely, Penukonda, Roddam, Gorantla, Somandepalli and Chilamathur. In these 5 mandals SEDS currently supports 125 villages, being some 12000 women and their families, 980 Self Help Groups (SHGs), 120 Village Organisations (VOs) & 5 Mandal Samakyas (MMSs) .

Through its sustained efforts SEDS has made a significant impact on the lives of the people in the area and the local environment. The SEDS slogan “Towards a greener tomorrow” has become a reality.

Friday, March 19, 2010

SEDS & trees

SEDS & trees
As you all know SEDS and trees are synonyms. Here is a short account on the planting of Guava trees in the SEDS area.
In September 2006, SEDS donated Guava Trees to our SHG Women in R.Maruvapalli in Roddam Mandal. Guavas are often marketed as “super fruits” being rich in vitamins A and C with seeds that are rich in omega-3, omega-6, polyunsaturated fatty acids and dietary fiber. A single Apple Guava fruit, the plants we gave, contains over four times the amount of vitamin C as a single orange.

One of the women is Rathnamma who is a farmer and mother of two boys. Rathnamma and her family are well in touch with the different projects of SEDS. Her husband is very interested in joining our Farmers Field School which is conducted by our Sustainable Agriculture Team. The older son completed a training course on domestic wiring at our Vocational Training Center and he is now working on his own and earning close to Rs 1,500/- a month. The younger boy is still studying.

Rathnamma got 48 plants for an one acre plot. Now after 4 years, the trees are bearing much more than expected. This harvest season they generated a monthly income between Rs. 4, 000 and 5,000. Rathnamma plucks the fruits then and sells them in the town. With this extra income she is able to support her younger son in school and save some money at the same time.