OTHER PROGRAMMES

ONLINE MARKETING AND SALES

For improving the business of SAF microenterprises, SAF has linked 762 micro enterprises of different categories to social medias so far. Registration, license, product quality, packing, product label, design and storage in all units are ensured. QR code google mapping are introduced in the units for the online sales. For the promotion of products through online marketing the process of making of digital adds, posters, short videos are progressing. The product delivery system has been upgraded with the services of delivery partner/home delivery for getting maximum reach to the products. This initiative has in turn increased the unit sales volume.

LONG TERM LOAN THROUGH KERALA BANK

An important intervention made by SAF to overcome the economic crisis is by giving financial assistance in the form of credit support ie, long term loan at low interest rate with a repayment period of 3 years, by linking them with Kerala Bank. A group consisting of 2-5 members will be getting a maximum of Rs. 2 Lakhs or Rs. 50,000 per member. This helped SAF units to tide over the Covid pandemic financial crisis.

KISSAN CREDIT CARD

An important intervention made by SAF to overcome the economic crisis is by giving financial assistance in the form of credit support ie, through the issuance of KCC for groups with fish/allied activities. Both DME and JLG units who are active in the fish/allied sector has availed KCC loan at a low interest rate, to improve their business activities.

MELAS AND EXHIBITIONS

State wide exhibition is meant to ensure the participation of micro-enterprises units in the exhibition/trade fair/mela conducted by different agencies in connection with various festivals or special occasions. Participation in such fairs not only aims at generating income for its entrepreneurs but also an attempt to create customer base and local acceptance and trust. Major participation is in the commercial stall and food court. Currently SAF units are participating inmajor programmes like Ente Keralam, Theerasadas, Beypore fest, cooperative Expo etc as a part of the 1st& 2nd Anniversary of our Govt etc.

INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

India International Trade Fare (IITF) is one of the largest international events organised by Indian trade Promotional Council (ITPO) every year at New Delhi from 14th to 27th November. SAF units have participated in the last seven episodes of IITF and fetched several business orders and awards. Last participation was in IITF 2022. SAF has introduced online payment system in both commercial stall and food court to make payment easy for the customers. The products of SAF units were showcased in attractive packing without compromising the quality.

SCHUCHITWA SAGRAM SUNDARA THEERAM

Society for Assistance to Fisherwomen (SAF) becomes a part of Schuchitwa sagram Sundara theeram project of harbour engineering department by Participating in campaigns and awareness programmes in all marine districts. Cycle /vehicle rally, beach side walk, banners, hoardings, seminars, participation in Theeronnathi awareness programs are the major highlights of the project.

ANTI-DRUG AWARENESS PROGRAMME

Anti drug awareness programmes were conducted in 9 coastal districts in the form of rally, street play, drawing competition, procession, tournaments, flash mob, awareness classes, seminars, cultural programme, puppet show, magic show, folk songs, announcements, posters, banners, brochures, leaflets etc. The programme has been conducted in association with coastal police, voluntary organisations, NGO’s and with the support of general public.

THEERASADAS

The Fisheries Department has organised ‘Theerasadas’ in the coastal constituencies. SAF became a part of this programme along with the support of Nodal offices of marine districts. It is a public interaction programme to interact with the people along the coastal region, hear their issues and take remedial measures along with promoting the development and welfare programmes of the government among the fishermen. SAF has also organized grant and award distribution in the Theerrasadas.

PROJECT CLINIC

SAF has extended the handholding support to microenterprises with a focus on their existence and sustainable development. Thus, SAF has initiated the concept of conducting project clinics in each district cater to the performance improvement of weak units. In the initial phase, project clinics has been conducted in 9 marine districts and in Kottayam by involving 93 micro enterprise units under different categories with diverse obstacles. The issues of each unit have been scrutinised and necessary directions were given in the project clinic. Prepared action plan for each unit to make it effective, which includes technical support, change in location/activity, change in group member, credit support, marketing assistance, skill upgradation trainings etc.

DIGITAL SAKSHAM PROJECT

Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) along with Master Card and National Institute for MSMEs (ni-msme) is implementing Digital Saksham Project. The project aims to help Micro & Small Enterprise to attain the knowledge and access to personal finance strategies and digital financial instruments through digital tools. In the initial stage, training on various aspects of Digital Media Marketing Training has been given to the members of Textiles and Garments Category Federation of SAF and will extend this training programme for a better change in the marketing and sales strategies adopted by the microenterprises.

THOZHIL THEERAM

SAF in association with Kerala Knowledge Economy Mission (KKEM) is implementing Thozil Theeram employment programme. Currently 1366 SAF beneficiaries have registered in the KKEM Portal. Thozil Theeram aims to provide employment to the educated by transforming the State of Kerala into a Knowledge Society providing gainful employment to 20 lakh people over the next five years in various sectors and job verticals.

e-SHRAM REGISTRATION

e-Shram is a national database for unorganised workers and has been rolled out for the overall welfare of unorganised workers. This aims for the better execution of various social security schemes for the unorganised sector workers and will also help in delivering social security schemes implemented by the Central and state governments. 6415 SAF beneficiaries have registered in the e-SHRAM portal.

MASACHANDA

Another initiative taken by SAF units is conducting Masa Chandha, to promote the sale of SAF products. This improves the sales of DME units in each district and also to familiarise SAF products to the public which will end in wide publicity and demand for the products.

SAF REVIEWS, FIELD VISITS & PROJECT MONITORING

Field level implementation of the project by the Mission coordinators is monitored by nodal officers in each district. Weekly meetings are conducted at district level to assess the activities and to make action plans. Monthly reports by the Mission Coordinators are consolidated at district level. Based on these, state level reports are prepared. Special efforts have been initiated to ensure accountability, transparency, and reporting across the Theeramythri spectrum. These include facilitating system and process improvements, handholding in accounting and management practices, and streamlining operations and business processes. Periodic review meetings were conducted state level to analyse the progress in the field level project activities. Necessary directions will be given to District Nodal Officers and Mission Coordinators in review meetings to improve the performance. SAF Executive Director visits the micro enterprises in each district as apart of field monitoring.