Microfinance and Women Enterprenuership under Village Development Programme A Case Study of Nirmal Pokhari V.D.C., Kaski

Abstract

This research focuses on microcredit program, launched in Nirmal Pokhari VDC as Village Development Programme since 2054 BS with the support of DDC Kaski and UNDP. The microcredit program aims at empowering woman, and is a recent development strategy to bring out changes in quality of life of women by focusing on self-employment, especially for those living in rural area, with a aim of reducing poverty by generating enterprises through microfinance. The overall goal of VDP is to enhance the effective participation of people in the local governance process by ensuring improved access to socio-economic service of rural poor particularly, women, Dalits and disadvantaged groups. The objective of the research was to analysis the efficacy of the project on micro finance enterprises of women. In order to carry out objectives, the case study research was done focusing all the wards of Nirmal Pokhari VDC, Kaski by taking representative sample of the CO’s members. VDP program has actually been an effective program to mobilize the people and is leading towards better life there. It is found that different groups have been formed in Nirmal Pokhari VDC Kaski. Altogether 70 women enterprises are studied. Female groups are also doing a good exercise in saving and credit mobilization. In a mixed group, both male and female, have engaged in a discussion on credit mobilization. The study shows that there is no association to the perceived benefit from program towards the age group, educational level, and ethnic groups of the participants. The study has found that the participant women have increasing their economical income, social status, and awareness after involving in the program. The leadership of women and decision making power is also steadily increasing. The women investment and income are positively increased in each year. Most of the enterprises are using the loan in very purpose. Some of the participant are got training to development their enterprises. They are improving their living standard day by day. The investment on enterprises is increasing. Women are also utilizing time in income generating activities because of the awareness of VDP. Micro-finance program has been a very effective tool in reducing poverty and generating enterprises. The VDP has initiated this program by taking three “Mantras” as a program motto: Organization, Saving and Skill. Moreover, it has provided credit from the Local Development Fund from for income generation activities to meet the demand of the small loan seekers. This study concludes that women are interested in agriculture and trading enterprises rather than livestock and manufacturing enterprises. Most of the women are literate, and only a few are highly educated, who are running the enterprises. Main problem to operate the enterprises are water, transportation and market.