Rural Livelihoods and Sustainable Living: Case-26: RASOOLBI’S FRUITFUL BUSINESS!

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A Case Study of THE ANDHRA PRADESH RURAL LIVELIHOODS PROJECT”

48-year-old Rasoolbi is a resident of Arthaveedu Village in Prakasam district. When her husband died six years ago she leased out their 1.30 acres of land and began selling vegetables to earn a living. She has three daughters and two sons. She had taken loans to help with the wedding of her daughters. Her older son dropped out of school in the 10^th standard as they had no money. Her younger son is still in school.  Rasoolbi had joined the Jayanthi self-help group when APRLP watershed development programme started in the village. With her daily earnings of Rs.40-50 she was regularly able to save some money in the group. But she fell short when her daughters came home during festivals or for their confinement. She used to borrow money to fulfill their needs.

When some money was released to the village organisation, loans became available at low interest rates. Rasoolbi wanted to take advantage of this to start a fruit vending business. She borrowed Rs.10, 000 from the village organisation with permission from her self-help group. She bought a pushcart for Rs.2, 000. The remaining Rs.8, 000 she spent buying fruits from Cumbum. She started selling fruit from her pushcart at Arthaveedu bus stand.

There were pitfalls in the beginning because she had to honour previous debts. Gradually she has gained control over her business. Her daily sale was around Rs.500–600, of which her profit

was Rs.150. Her older son helped her to run the business. 

Now she earns about Rs.4, 500-5, 000 per month. She repays her loan in monthly installments of Rs.1, 000 plus interest of Rs.100.  She now has Rs.3, 500 to run her household. She has already repaid Rs.8, 000 of the loan. Once the entire loan is cleared everything she earns will be her income. As her income is enhanced she is giving her younger son a college education. Her daughters and sons–in-law are happy as their mother-in-law fulfills even their small wishes.   Had the watershed development activity not started, things would have been dreadful. She couldn’t even dream of being in this situation, says Rasoolbi.