Center for Rural Development :Assam

The Society, since its inception has rendered its services in the field of awareness generation pertaining to the management of eco-friendly environment and organization of animal health camps for the purposes of vaccination and treatment. With the background that the economy of the North-Eastern Region is highly agro-based and animal protein being a major component of daily dietary habit of the people, the society therefore, has focused its effort towards the development of the animal husbandry sector. However, the stakeholders of the sector have not been able to upscale their tiny units to a viable livelihood generation one, due to lack of support services particularly the Artificial Insemination (AI) facility, timely vaccination, availability of proper feeds and its supplements and breeds with high yield capacity. As a result, high-level gap in the supply persists and the normal dietary habit is disturbed. 

VET-AID- CENTRE (VAC)The project titled VET-AID-CENTRE (VAC) with a total cost of Rs. 5.00 lakh covering establishment of three centers is one of its attempts. The project has been grounded in April 1999 in three places viz. – Jagiroad of Marigaon district and Mirza and Guwahati of Kamrup district.The capital cost of the project comprising infrastructure like cryogenic container and other accessories has been provided by RGVN as Corpus. The working capital component has been provided in the form of returnable grant.The delivery of services to the farmers on payment is the unique feature of the project. The Doctors have been recruited, trained and posted in the respective places and the supply of semen of exotic breed has been channelised from Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation (BAIF), Pune. The project is now under full operation.Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Mumbai has extended their financial support for Strengthening of the above Centres for a period of one year 
 
 
NODAL NGO UNDER ARIASP CRD is also engaged as a nodal NGO under Assam Rural Infrastructure and Agricultural Services Project (ARIASP), Government of Assam, a World Bank funded project. It has been functioning as a nodal NGO in the district of Kamrup since October 2000. The role of the nodal NGO under ARIASP is to involve the various stakeholders in the World Bank funded schemes in effective implementation. During its short span of time as the nodal NGO, it has motiveted Water Users Associations (WUAs) in Kamrup District where ARIASP has provided diesel pumps to the associations for irrigation purposes. Various meetings were organized to involve the communities in the projects and it is showing results. Besides the ongoing rehabilitation programme in Irrigation, CRD is also working for new project on Deep Tube Wells (DTWs) and Micro Lift Irrigation Project in Kamrup District. While appreciating the effort of CRD, ARIASP has also entrusted CRD to manage the fishery scheme especially the community Tanks in Kamrup District. CRD has also been involved in the implementation of the programmes of Veterinary under ARIASP.

SELF-HELP-GROUP (SHGs) PROMOTION It has been recognized that SHGs play an important role in mobilizing village communities for initiating economic activities for their self-sustenance and also to address other problems in their day-to-day life. CRD has mobilized about 56 SHGs in its operational area. These groups are formed with the sole aim of self-help for their own economic and social upliftment. There are maximum of 20 members in a group, mainly women who meet once in a week and save small amount to their group fund. CRD has also mobilized groups to promote animal husbandry activities. We have plans to link these groups to financial institutions & banks for credit linkages.

GRAM SHREE MELAIn order to strengthen the rural economy, CRD is also promoting the products of rural artisans & craftsmen from time to time. In a drive to bring the rural artisans to the urban people and to understand their taste, preference, CRD arranges a Gram Shree Mela at Guwahati where several NGOs/VOs and artisans participated from different states of N.E. Region.
His Excellency Hon'ble Governor of Assam Lt. General (Retd.) S.K.Sinha (2nd from left) and the than Chief Minister of Assam Mr. Prafulla Kumar Mahanta (3rd from left) visited the Stalls after formal innauguration.
 
 
NETWORKING THE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS
CRD also takes initiative for networking the Voluntary Organisations (VOs) in NE Region in collaboration with Voluntary Action Network of India (VANI) in order to sensitize the people about the Voluntary sector and to mobilize the Voluntary sector and strategic organizations for the campaign on the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and the Societies Registration Act.

Contact Details :Centre for Rural Development (CRD)
Dewan House, Zoo-Narengi Road
Guwahati - 781021,Assam
Phone:91 361 2417733 / 2228281 (O)
Email: info@crdev.org  
Website: www.crdev.org/act.asp