PRA Activity at Bommasamudra, Hubli

Participatory Rural Appraisal PRA is a method to know the reality of villages and the clear picture of all resources and facilities available there. I attended four days of theory sessions on PRA, facilitated by Dr.Prakash Bhatt. With a practical learning on 10 February, Tuesday I reached ‘Gram Chetana’ training centre, Soorashettikoppa with my all co fellows for village study. We were told that this training centre is made by participatory efforts from villagers and this is an entrepreneur of BAIF (Bhatia Agro Industries Foundation) organization. BAIF is a leading organization in rural development field that is working since 1967 and founded by Dr. Manibhai Desai. Journey of BAIF in Karnataka started from 1980 and working is 20 Districts.

On second day we were divided into separate groups for village study. I was in the team for Bommasamudra village study. We were four members (Mr.Lakshmish, Mr.Jagadish, Ms.Meenakshi and Mr.Ajay) in our group.

I reached village after walking about 8 kames. Here one facilitator Mr. Shettappa from AME Foundation helped us in first hand interaction with villagers. We have a meeting with about 30 people where we introduced with then and told about our objective. In this meeting they told us that they all are busy from morning to evening in farming. So we decided to collect demographic information of the village and we enquired people and visited Junior High School (1 to 8th) and Aganwadi worker. Here we get the information regarding village.

Information about Village
} Its 13.5 k.m. away from Hubballi city.
} Population of around 1519.
} Main source of income is agriculture.
} It has Palya to its East, Kardikoppa to West, North-Balagali and Varur to South.
} Around 300 families stay in the village.
} 100% households connected by electricity.
} 70% are pakka and rest is kaccha houses.
} Only 30% houses have Toilet rooms facility.
} Contains 60% Kurubas, 30% lingayath, 10% - Badigas, SC/ST, Muslim and Valikar.
} 5 water tanks with 7 bore wells, out of which 2 are not working.
} Many youngsters are into driving profession.
} Rest does agriculture and works in making Cement blocks.
} PHC is situated 1 km away from Bommasamudra at Harlikatte.
} Around 98% deliveries are done in Hospitals.
} Malaria is commonly seen during rainy season.
} “Mid day meals is contributing for children’s participation and healthy development” – Head Mistress.
} TB (2-3 cases per year) and HIV (1 male & 1 female).
} Around 21 disabled are found that includes mental and physical disability, duff and dumb etc…
} The village has an Anganwadi and a school that teaches till class 8.
} School has 230 children and 7 teachers.
} Main crops: Jawar, Soya Beans, Cotton, Groundnut, Paddy, Chikku, Maize, Sunflower
} The area is surrounded by Black and Red Soil
} Agriculture, Carpentry, Petty shops, Coolie, Khanavali is the main source of income.
} Natural sources: 2 ponds, one is of Government and one is private, 120 acre of fodder.

At evening time because most of the villagers used to come back after their work. But we had to go back Gram Chetana. So we did two personal Interviews and left the village.
Second day we started with Transect walk and during the day we used PRA Tools like: Resource Mapping, Matrix, Venn diagram, Family visits and collected the related information.

Important Learning:
Castism is not followed by villagers, they celebrate all festivals. Women and Men both use to work in farms and go to markets. Language is important for mingled up with villagers. Villagers have talent but they are not getting platform to enrich their uniqueness. Attitude and thinking towards women is Gender biased. Cattles are much costly comparison to North India. Pre-planning and some knowledge about villages should be.

Challenges:
Could not involve women for group activities with men. Gathering people as much as required for participation. Villagers’ expectations.