Comments on: Op-Ed: Why Traditional Income Generating Activities Simply Aren’t Enough

By: Rakesh Srivastava

Rakesh Srivastava — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:53:26 +0000

I agree that focus should shift from production oriented approach to market oriented approach. can we know about the results of experiment in 5 villages

By: prernasri

prernasri — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 10:06:17 +0000

Thank you for your interest!

It looks like only a paper version of the MOVE manual is available, as it is a relatively new concept, but if you are really interested in obtaining a copy, I can get you in touch with Meera of the Best Practices Foundation (http://www.bestpracticesfoundation.com). Otherwise, you can also obtain a copy by contacting “Books for Change” at the following address:

Books for Change
139, Richmond Road
Bangalore–560 025. India
Ph: +91-80-25580346, 25321747
Mobile: 9448371732
Fax: +91-80-25586284
e-mail: marketing@booksforchange.net

I will write a follow-up to this post once more information regarding the implementation of this program becomes available.

By: Badhri

Badhri — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:22:40 +0000

Prerna,
I tried a quick search on the website of Best Practices Foundation and Google in general for “Market Oriented Value Enhancement” and hit nothing relevant. It would be helpful to include a link for this recommendation (if available online) or information on how to acquire it.

unsecret-admirer, Santhosh,
Sunita may not really know market dynamics exactly in terms of demand, supply etc. but we have seen people like her selling seasonal tender coconut in summer and other fruits in winter. This simple example can be quoted to provide a foundation and one can build on this and say.. the demand need not only depend on seasons, but also on other factors like….blah blah”. This will at least open them up to look for factors that may drive demand.

So, while a 5-part economics course is likely to be an over-head transmission for her, an informal, but well-prepared talk citing examples (one can find plenty of that) is likely to help.

By: College Boy

College Boy — Sat, 31 May 2008 23:50:11 +0000

Yeah, because we should also see that whether sunita wants to know about the supply demand and wants to think like an entrepreneur or not.

Any idea about how the other projects are faring?

By: Santhosh

Santhosh — Sat, 31 May 2008 18:06:25 +0000

Dear Unsecret Admirer,

Those are really valid thoughts – a 5-part course in basic economics would still be irrelevant for training a successful entrepreneur.

While I agree with Prerna view that we need to go beyond basic skill based training – I’m not sure if market-oriented knowledge would lead to emergence of successful entrepreneurs. I think its a injustice that Sunita is forced to become a micro-entrepreneur. Ideally, we should have small and medium businesses which can provide living-wage job to Sunita – may be a small food processing business that employs say100 people. There is not point glorifying the poor as entrepreneurs, even if they are provided with market knowledge – they would any day settle for a decent job!

By: TC-I Week in Review « ThinkChange India

TC-I Week in Review « ThinkChange India — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:33:50 +0000

[...] op-ed on income generation for [...]

By: unsecret-admirer

unsecret-admirer — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:34:58 +0000

That’s a incisive critique on the current model of skills-based training. (I especially appreciate the alphabet analogy). However, I am curious as to how you extend the model in practical terms.
I would think for example if Sunita and the women of her SHG were making papad and selling it to people, they would quickly learn the basic laws of supply and demand. In order to train someone to assess the market, predict changes, and adapt ones practices- what training exactly are these villages in Karnataka providing? A 5-part course on basic economics? What practical tools can one give to a woman to enable her to become an entrepreneur?

Finally – South India rocks for trying…

By: Teaching women to be true entrepreneurs | DesiPundit

Teaching women to be true entrepreneurs | DesiPundit — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:26:24 +0000

[...] income that is supposed to slowly help in their economic development. Premasri makes the case that such a skills-based approach is just not adequate, because women cannot foresee, or adapt to changing market conditions. She goes on to talk about [...]