Latest news with #SWISSAID
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
How illegal gold mining is thriving in South Africa's abandoned shafts
South Africa is a known destination for smuggled ASM gold from neighbouring countries, particularly Zimbabwe Anywhere between 5% and 30% of gold in South Africa – once the world's top producer – is mined illegally, laundered, and shipped as legitimately mined precious metal. However, it's impossible to really quantify the extent of the damage to the economy caused because of these illegal shipments, according to a new report from SWISSAID, an NGO based in Switzerland. Although gold output is declining, it still contributes billions to South Africa's economy. SWISSAID's report stated that, because South Africa is clinging to an opaque gold trade reporting system dating back to apartheid, there is no quantifiable way of completely and accurately determining total imports and exports, as well as the origin, of the yellow metal. As a result, it states, this 'opacity makes the identification and calculation of illicit gold flows almost impossible'. However, through data provided by industry players as well as Rand Refinery, Africa's largest precious metals refinery, SWISSAID said it was able to circumvent deficiencies in gold trade statistics and arrive at 'what is arguably the most realistic picture of the South African gold trade to date'.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- General
- Time of India
Scorching sun brings brisk business for rural women
Hubballi: While most people are reeling under soaring temperatures, about 10 women near Hubballi have turned the heat to their advantage. In Matighatta village, five women are converting grains into daal by soaking them in water drums and drying them in the sun, claiming their naturally dried daal is healthier. In Tirtha village, five women are producing millet rice using solar power, saving around Rs 4,000 in electricity bills monthly and earning an average income of Rs 7,000. They are actively promoting millet consumption and encouraging its cultivation among local farmers. Ratna Hosalli, a member of Shri Vinayaka Stree Shakti Sangha, Mattigatti, told TOI that the Sangha has 16 members involved in various activities. "We saved Re 1 from the sale of each mask during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the total pooled amount was Rs 25,000. Since we were involved in various productive activities, Sahaja Samruddha, SWISSAID, and FiBL organisations offered a machine to make green gram, tur, urad, chana gram, and cowpeas into daal last year. We established a dal processing unit by setting up a shed on a piece of land belonging to Kavita Alagawadi, who is also a member. We are paying a rent of Rs 2,500 per month to her. We pour whole grains into water drums and later dry them in the hot sun. After confirming that they are completely dry, we make dal through the machine. We registered a turnover of Rs 1.2 lakh in 2024. However, we also suffered a loss as it was a learning process for us. This year, we started the unit in Jan itself, and five of us are working in it, getting wages of Rs 250 per day," she explained. Other women, Nirmala Alagawadi, Kavita Alagawadi, Iravva Mugali, Renuka Rayapur, and Saroja Arali, said that their unit can function only during summer when grains can be properly dried. "If we get a drier, we can run it throughout the year," they added. Currently, they are offering their services to farmers of about 18 surrounding villages, procuring grains from fields, and selling the dal through melas and organic stores. Their dal is in demand from many cities across the state. As farmers do not need to pay commission like they do in APMCs, they are sending their produce to this unit. Profiting with millets by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Bibijan Halemani, a member of Bibi Fathima self-help group, said that they established a community millets processing unit in Tirtha village with the financial support of ICAR-IIMR Hyderabad, SWISSAID, and FiBL, with the cooperation of Sahaja Samruddha, a Bengaluru-based organisation. "We procured three machines worth Rs 26 lakh three years ago and obtained a loan of Rs 2 lakh. Selco Foundation offered solar panels at a 90% subsidy. We are converting millets such as foxtail millet, little millet, kodo millet, and browntop into rice and rawa. We are providing healthy food for consumers and encouraging farmers to grow millets. We are getting a salary of Rs 300 per day, and 5-6 women are working here. Now, we are looking for machinery improvement and want to have a lift to carry bags of millets to pour into machines," she explained. She further said, "Our turnover was Rs 8 lakh in 2022-23 and Rs 12 lakh in 2023-24. We are saving electricity bills of Rs 4,000 per month using solar power-based machines." No holiday Both these units are working without a weekly holiday between 10am to 6pm and extend working hours whenever required. While the dal processing unit is shut on Amavasya day every month, the millets processing unit works all days of the week. Working women can avail leave whenever they want.
