Farmers, artisans, merchants: Garo tribals in the Indian state of
Nagaland in northeast India, have become entrepreneurs and have improved
their standard of life dealing with cultivation, processing and resale
of rubber.
This was possible, as Fides learns, thanks to a nun of the
Medical Mission Sister congregation.
Sister Rose Kayathinkara, 74, originally from Kerala, arrived in
Nagaland in 1972 and noted that the land was fertile and the tribal
population of the Garo were joyful and willing to work. So she decided
to help them.
In 1986 Rose organized a "door to door" campaign to
convince the population of the village of Mendipathar, about 225 km from
Shillong, on the border between Meghalaya and Assam, to cultivate
rubber as a source of income. In the beginning the tribals were not
convinced of her plan, because, to have profit, rubber requires a long
period of management. Once the product was finally ready, it was
necessary to develop a marketing process to help farmers to put the
product on the market and find buyers.
Sister Rose had the idea of creating a cooperative to help farmers and
their families. The Mendipathar Multipurpose Cooperative Society was
launched in 1998 with social capital formed by government departments
and contributions of farmers, who were accompanied to become good
entrepreneurs. The cooperative sells the rubber sheets to ensure profits
for farmers and their families.
Also, today, the range of products to sell has expanded, including
poultry and other agricultural products such as turmeric and black
pepper. The cooperative buys them from farmers and provides them to
warehouses and shops. This activity has allowed to create employment for
young people and the Garo women. Alongside this activity, awareness
campaigns were initiated to increase awareness in the fight against
domestic violence or violence against women, which is widespread in the
villages.
"When I see that familiars send their children to school and have a
decent standard of living, I am very happy", says Sister Rose to Fides.
"These children from poor and marginalized families have the opportunity
to study in good schools and integrate into society", notes the nun.
Thanks to the economic and productive process started with the nun, a
rubber farmer can earn enough for himself and his family. Today the nun
is determined not to let Garo farmers count only on "monoculture" (which
has risks) and has begun to encourage coconut plantations.
The Garo
tribe, hardworking people, have lived in Nagaland for ages along with
other tribal groups. In the past they suffered discrimination and
marginalization also by state institutions and this is why they have
migrated to other territories. They are also present in other Indian
states in the Northeast (about one million people) and Bangladesh. Many
are Christianized.