This village study was from 21st July to 23rd July 2008, and my friend Shakunthala and I went together. It was great experience me, we enjoyed so much in the village. I am introducing my village of KAMADHENU.
CONTENT
· Location and Topography
· Resources
· Livestock and Livelihood
· Facility and living system
· Social Relation/ Structure
Location and Topography
Kamdhenu comes in Kalghatgi Taluk of Dharwad District. It is situated in between Hubli Karwar road, 11 km from Kalghatagi to the east side. The villages which are situated near by Kamdhenu are Bhugenagarkoppa (South), Mishrikotti (East), Ramanhalli and Harogeri gram (west). To the south there is a river called Shalmalla also known as Dub Dubi which is used for agricultural purpose in nearby villages. To the north of the village a 48 acre pond is situated which is used for water harvesting, fishing etc.
Topography – The total area of the village is 3 sq km approximately. The land is flat as well as elevated. Soil – black soil, red and black soil and clay soil. There are around 350 tiled roof houses in the village. The total population is 1781, where Male population is 991 and female population is 870.
Resources
The total cultivated land is 1200 acres approximately. Out of which 10% is irrigated land and around 90% is rain based agriculture. Grampanchyat supplies water, no forest area however some of the farmers have grown trees in the field. 2 bore wells are there but not working because it is least or not used by the villagers. There are few well but no water.
Livestock and Livelihood
Almost every house has cows; some of the houses have buffalo, hen and goats also. Main occupation is agriculture. However since they have to depend on water the rains are dependable. Majority go for labor work to the nearby agricultural field. There are 300 agriculturists out of which 69 have adopted organic agricultural methods.10% of the villagers are large farmers, 20% are middle farmers and 70% are small or labor class farmers. The men farmers are getting daily wages of Rs 50/- per day where as women farmers are getting only Rs 40/- per day. The youth after schools go to nearby factories (Anhegeri pickles factory, Jain book factory, Pharmaceutical co and Manganese Factory). There are 3 brick units in which few people are employed.
Facility and living system
There are 18 women and 2 men SHGs in the village. In which few SHGs are not function properly because of poor management. People lead a very simple life. Not all the families have adequate food to eat. Major food is jowar roti and rice. Living condition is not hygienic, sanitary facilities are poor, poor drainage system, no proper road, power supply is poor and not dependable. And also there are 4 buses per day one in the morning at 9:00 am, in the afternoon at 1:30 pm and two buses in the evening at 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm. For any small purchases or medical consultation they have to go to Mishrikotti.
Social Relation/ Structure
Overall relationship seems to be good except Muslim population lives separately. Rest all groups including SCST lived together. But still there is one SC colony. There is not much differentiation. There are 6 temples and one mosque. Once in a year they celebrate car festival in Shri Kallmeshwar Temple. During this festival all the villagers meet. We dint find much vulnerability in the group. There are 18 women and 2 men SHGs however they are not furnishing properly. As fund management is not proper. In addition there is no income generating activity by any of the group.
