Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department & Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala performed the State Level Inauguration of Kudumbashree's 'Nirapolima' Project & 'Onakani' Project at Anamukham Ward, Perumkadavila Panchayath, Thiruvananthapuram on 23 July 2024. The Minister inaugurated the projects by planting brinjal and chrysanthemum plants in the fields of Anjana JLG, Anamukham ward, Perumkadavila. The Minister said that the objective of these two projects is to deliver good quality vegetables and flowers to the natives during onam season and thereby provide livelihood to women.These projects will help Kudumbashree women to make maximum out of onam markets. The Minister also wished that may this onam be colourful with the flowers of Kudumbashree's 'Nirapolima' Project and prosperous with the vegetables of Kudumbashree's 'Onakani' Project.

Kudumbashree is already active in agriculture. There are 3,92,682 members in 84,327 JLGs active in agriculture and 17,635 hectares of land is made cultivable, under Kudumbashree. Bank loans are ensured for those cultivated in a minimum of 25 cents and above. If the loan is repaid on time, Interest Subsidy and Incentive is given. In Organic Farming more than 10% is given as incentive. Rs 4,42,54,417 was given as incentive and Rs 4,40,31,587 was given as Interest Subsidy during 2023-24. The Minister added.

The Minister said that Kudumbashree is the name of the great movement that changed the fate of women's society in Kerala. Kudumbashree brought about 50 lakh women from kitchens to the mainstream of the society. Before Kudumbashree was launched, we could not have imagined this much of a women audience in any programmes. Kudumbashree made possible the financial, social and political empowerment of women. It increased the status of women in the family and society.  He added.

As part of the 'Nirapolima' Project, the Kudumbashree farmers' groups will start flower cultivation. At present 3350 farmer groups (Joint Liability Groups-JLGs) are active in floriculture in 1250 acres. This project will be implemented targeting the Onam market only. Nirapolima' aims to cultivate at least one thousand acres of Chrysanthemum, Jasmine,  Marigold and Globe Amaranth (Vadamulla), which are in high demand in the Onam market. Kudumbashree is giving a Revolving Fund of Rs 10,000 for flower cultivation in 1 acre of land. 

Whereas, 'Onakani 2024', the Intensive Agriculture Project will produce non-toxic vegetables. This scheme is conceived with the objective of providing vegetables to the consumers throughout the year. As part of this, 6000 acres of land will be cultivated this year with peas, bitter gourd, lady's finger, snake gourd, banana, spinach, yam, tomato, brinjal, moringa, mango and chilli. The agricultural produce will be delivered directly to the public market by the farmers, eliminating the middlemen to provide better income to the farmers. At present, under Kudumbashree, 11298 farmer groups are cultivating various types of vegetables. 

It is estimated that a total of 25,000 women farmers across the state will be able to provide a better livelihood out of which 20,000 will be provided through the intensive agriculture scheme and 5,000 through flower cultivation. Both the schemes are to provide more employment opportunities to women farmers under Kudumbashree. 

Kudumbashree will provide support including technical assistance to farmers to increase production. Maximum marketing channels will be set. Kudumbashree intends to attract more farmers to this region and expand flower farming to more areas in the coming years as they get better returns. Achieving self-sufficiency in vegetable production for domestic consumption is also an important objective. Kudumbashree's support will be made available to ensure better production and marketability of products. Apart from special occasions like Onam, Christmas, Vishu and Ramzan, all the marketing fairs organized under the auspices of Kudumbashree will also provide an opportunity to deliver and market agricultural products.

Shri. C.K Hareendran MLA  presided over the function. Adv. D. Suresh Kumar, President, District Panchayat delivered the keynote address. Dr. Shanavas S,  Programme Officer Kudumbashree explained the project. Shri. S Surendran, President, Perumkadavila Gram Panchayat welcomed the gathering and Shri. Ramesh G, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thiruvananthapuram Mission delivered the vote of thanks. Shri. V.S Binu, Member, Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat, Ms. S. Bindu, Vice President, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Shri. Kanakkod Balaraj, Chairman, Infrastructure Standing Committee, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayath, Ms Geetha Nazeer, member, kudumbashree Governing Body, Member Thiruvananthapuram District Panchayat, Adv. Smitha Sundaresan, Member Kudumbashree Governing Body, President, Varkala Block Panchayat, Ms. Manjusha Jayan,  Chairperson, Welfare standing Committee,  Perumkadavila Grama Panchayath, Shri. K Rejikumar, Chairman, Health Education Standing Committee, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Ms. R Snehalatha, Ward Member, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Ms.Dhanya P Nair, Ward Member, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Shri. Kakkanam Madhu, Ward Member, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Shri. Jayachandran  K S, Ward Member, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Ms Vimala M, Ward Member, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Ms. Sachithra V A, Ward Member, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Shri. S S Sreerag, Ward Member, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Shri. A . Harin Bose, President, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Ms. Mary Latha, Agriculture Officer, Perumkadavila Grama Panchayat, Shri. Robert T, Member Secretary, Perumkadavila Kudumbashree CDS, Ms. Sachithra C S, Chairperson, Perumkadavila Kudumbashree CDS and State-District Mission officials also became part of the programme.

Kerala makes outstanding performance in NULM project implementation. Kerala has again been recognized at the national level for its excellent implementation of the centrally sponsored programme Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM) in the state. Through Kudumbashree Kerala became the first state to get recognition in SPARK Ranking 7 times in a row. Kerala has been ranked first in the 2023-24 'SPARK' (Systematic Progressive Analytical Real Time Ranking) ranking for states implementing the scheme. With this, Kerala became the only state to win the SPARK Award seven times consecutively. Kudumbashree is the nodal agency for implementing the NULM project in Kerala. Kudumbashree Accounting and Auditing Service Society (KAASS) has got the second position in the Best Development Partner category.

Shri. Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of Housing, Urban Affairs and Energy presented the Spark Award to Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Local Self-Government, Government of Kerala, Ms. Beena E, Ms. Meghna S, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree during the function held at India Habitat Centre, Delhi on 18 July 2024.

The Best Development Partner Category Award was received from the Minister by Ms. Soniya James, Ms. Shiji Mather, KAASS Team Representatives and Ms. Beena, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan bagged the Second and Third positions in the SPARK Ranking.

Kudumbashree has started implementing the NULM project in Kerala in collaboration with the Municipal Corporations since 2015 to improve the lives of the urban poor. Kerala had secured the Second Position in SPARK Ranking in the year 2022-23. Kerala has secured First Position in 2020-21 Financial Year, Second Position in 2021-22 and 2018-19 Financial Years and Third Position in 2019-20 and 2017-18 Financial Years.

SPARK Ranking is given on the basis of common criteria laid down by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for timely completion of the scheme objectives as per the NULM Scheme.

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission came up with a special scheme to find self-employment for the hearing-speech-impaired and turn them into entrepreneurs. Prior to the implementation of the project, a first phase meeting of those who needed the help of Kudumbashree to engage in self-employment or livelihood activities was organized at the Malappuram Collectorate Conference Hall on 6 July 2024. 

Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission will implement this project in collaboration with the District Administration and various organizations of hearing and speech impaired. The aim is to provide enterprises, job training and financial assistance through various projects implemented by Kudumbashree.

About seventy people attended the meeting. The collection of their information has also started. In the second phase Kudumbashree will collect name and information of more people who are interested to be a part of the project through CDSs.

Shri. V.R Vinod Kumar IAS, District Collector, Malappuram inaugurated the meeting. Shri. K.S. Haskar, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree explained the project. Ms. Sheeba Mumtaz, District Social Justice Officer, Shri. Muhammad Kattupara, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission, Shri. Abhijith Marar, Ms. Sameer, Officials of Kudumbashree Malappuram District Mission,  Shri. K.C. Abdul Latif, Mujeeb Rahman, Officials of various organizations, Ms. Faseela, Interpreter and others participated in the inaugural function.

Kudumbashree organized a two-day training for State Level Auxiliary Resource Persons as part of 'Meet the New' Auxiliary Group Reorganization Campaign to expand and reorganize Auxiliary Groups. The aim of the campaign is to bring the activities of the Auxiliary Group to more people in the months of July and August.

Around 1000 Resource Persons participated in the training conducted in 4 batches at KILA's headquarters in Thrissur. District Programme Managers and Block Co-ordinators also participated in the training. The training classes were on Duties of Auxiliary Resource Persons, Responsibilities, Campaign Methodology, Importance of Auxiliary Group, New Livelihood Possibilities, Operational Possibilities of Auxiliary Group and Communication Skills. Also the Auxiliary Group members who are working well shared their experiences.

A five-day training was given to 11 selected Mentors as part of the 'Chalanam' Mentorship Programme implemented by Kudumbashree Urban CDSs. The programme was organized in Thiruvananthapuram from 2 to 6 July 2024. Training was given on various subjects like Kudumbashree Organizational System Strengthening, Livelihood Development, CDS-ULB Convergence, Plan Preparation of Municipalities and Role of Community Based Organizations (CBO), Local Economic Development, Financial Management, Mentorship Skills, Stress Management & Emotional Balancing, Problem Solving.

Shri. Jahamgeer S, Secretary, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and Former Program Officer of Kudumbashree, Shri. Jagajeevan, Consultant, Suchitwa Mission and Former Programme Officer of Kudumbashree, Dr. Reema Sudarshan, Psychologist, Ms. Arya Murali, Member, Punalur CDS Kudumbasree Auxiliary Group  and Yoga and Fitness Trainer, Shri. Nishad C.C, Shri. Abdul Basheer, Shri. M. Prabhakaran, Ms. Suchitra. S, Shri. Sudheer K.B, Shri. Shibu N.P, Shri. Anishkumar M.S, Ms. Beena. E, Shri. Prithviraj, Shri. Sabu B., Shri. Nishanth G.S, Shri. Muhammed Shan.S.S, State Programme Managers, Kudumbashree, Ms. Ramya, Shri. Ratheesh, Shri. Shaiju and Ms. Priya Paul, Programme Manager, Kudumbashree National Resource Organization also imparted training on various topics and answered queries.

A six-member Mentor Core Group of the Chalanam Programme developed the training module and co-ordinated the training for the State Mission. After the training, a 10-day Immersion Study will be conducted at selected CDSs and an activity calendar will be prepared. Then for six months CDSs will be supported.

'Wings of Fire' Kudumbashree Auxiliary group  from Ward 18 of Tiruvallur gram panchayat of Kozhikode district is gaining attention with its work which can be an example for all Auxiliary Groups, the new face of Kudumbashree. This two-year-old 15-member group undertakes a wide variety of activities.

The important one among is to run the tuition centre in such a way as to help the entire new generation while earning their own livelihood. They are making effective interventions in the social field as well. More than 20 students study at the tuition centre where educated Auxiliary Group members take classes. The money received from the Christmas carols were spent for the members of the Thanal Old Age Home in Vadakara. Intervention was made to get public health insurance card online. Organized a protest against violence against women. Organized Onam and Christmas celebrations and Ifthar feast. Wings of Fire's involvement in the social arena has been extended by organizing a women's festival to showcase their artistic and cultural talents to all the young women of their locality.

Kudumbashree Auxiliary Groups will be formed on ward basis where young women between 18 to 40 years of age can become members. A group can have a maximum of 10 to 20 members. If more people come forward with interest, another group can be formed in the same ward.

Annashree Central Food Production Unit and Research Centre has started operations in Thrissur with the aim of research and development of agricultural value added products and food products. AIFRHM (Adebha Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management), the Kudumbashree initiative and master training agency providing catering training is spearheading the project.

The centre was officially inaugurated by Adv. K. Rajan, Minister of Revenue, Government of Kerala at Madakkathara on 22 June 2024. Kudumbashree entrepreneurs will be trained through the centre to undertake large scale catering works and food orders. Kudumbashree farming groups will be assisted to grow vegetables and produce value added products and the research to prepare different and local food products will be done through the centre.

This project is initiated with the help of District Industries Centre and Agri Infrastructure Fund, and is fully supervised by Kudumbashree. Shri. K. Ravi,  President, Block Panchayat, Ms. Indira, President, Panchayat, Ms. Savithri, Shri. Ajith Kumar, Shri. Prashanth, People's Representatives, Ms. Sathi, CDS Chairperson,  Dr. Shanavas, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Dr. Kavitha, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, Shri. Jyothish Kumar, Former District Mission Co-ordinator, Shri. Nirmal, Shri. Siju, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators, Ms. Deepa, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, and representatives of AIFRHM were present at the inaugural function.

A state-level workshop was organized ahead of the expansion of the branding project of introducing curry powders, masala products and grain powders produced by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs under the 'Kudumbashree' brand to all districts. Branding aims to unify the Kudumbashree enterprises producing the same products and make them available in the public market under one brand with the same quality and packaging.

As the first step, 12 types of products namely curry powders, masala products and grain powders are branded. Branding was done in Kannur district on a pilot basis in the financial year 2019-20. Later the scheme was extended to Malappuram, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts.

A workshop was organized in Kannur district on 20-22 June 2024 as a starting point for branding in the remaining districts in this financial year itself. Kannur, Malappuram, Thrissur, Kottayam, Pathanamthitta and Kollam districts shared their experiences and challenges faced regarding branding in the workshop. Kudumbashree entrepreneurs in these districts elaborated on the benefits of branding. As part of the workshop, a visit was also organized to the units that are part of branding activities in Kannur district.

The task of co-ordinating the branding activities of the products prepared by the entrepreneurs in a decentralized manner is carried out in each district by the consortium formed in the respective districts. This consortium is responsible for the marketing of branded products and procurement of raw materials.

Kudumbashree is preparing to make every family in Kerala centres of happiness through 'Happiness Centres' based on the concept of 'Happy Kerala'. The aim is to set up Happiness Centres in 168 model CDSs in Kerala by 17 August 2024 in connection with FNHW (Food Nutrition Health and Wash) activities as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission project being implemented by Kudumbashree.

Kudumbashree aims to make every family a centre of happiness by ensuring the overall well-being and upliftment of every individual and family in the society through Happiness Centres. With the implementation of this very innovative idea, Kerala will be able to advance in the happiness index and become a model for other states.

Activities are planned for the project to address the inadequacies faced by an individual or family in various areas such as equality, economic sustainability, environment, art, literature, sports, mental health, nutrition, hygiene and democratic values and lead them to a happy life. The project will be implemented in such a way that it will be helpful to every person of the society like children, youth, adults and the elderly.

A survey will be conducted focusing on the families in the model CDSs where happiness centres will be established and a detailed plan will be prepared to raise the happiness index of those families. On the basis of this project, a happiness index will be prepared according to the social situation of Kerala and the project activities will be started after conducting an evaluation under the leadership of experts in various fields.

Local Self Government Department will be the main partner in implementation of the project and Kudumbashree will converge with various departments like health, social justice, women and child development, agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy development, forest and other departments in the implementation of the project. It will also coordinate with various projects implemented by Kudumbashree.

A two-day workshop was also organized to conceptualize the project methodology and guidelines at Thiruvananthapuram on 20-21 June 2024. Group discussions were organized and brainstormed based on various areas such as equity, economic sustainability, environment, hygiene, art and literature, sports, mental health, nutrition, democratic values etc. The suggestions received in the workshop will be codified and the methodology and guidelines will be prepared.

Dr. B. Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree gave leadership to the discussions. Dr. Abbas Ali T.K, Dr. Razeena Padmam M.S, Dr. S. Shanthi, Dr. Peeja Rajan, Dr. Unnimol, Dr. Sreelekha T.J, Dr. Ramesh. K, Dr. C. Swaraj, Dr. P. Sathyanesan, Shri. Satheesh Kumar. K, Shri. Rajeev. R, Shri Rafi. P and Ms. Sunitha presented various ideas. Ms. Krishnakumari. R, State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree welcomed the gathering and Ms. Preetha State Assistant Programme Manager, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks.

Kambalam, a traditional festival marking the beginning of Panchakrishi, begins at Attappady in Palakkad, Kambalam is organized as a part of Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented in Attappady through Kudumbashree with the aim of making agriculture more popular. The first Kambalam of the year was held in Oothukuzhi under the leadership of Sholayur Panchayat Samiti on 18 June 2024.

The celebrations started at 11 AM. Seeds and working tools were brought to the farm with the accompaniment of traditional music and Bhumi Pooja and seed sowing were performed under the leadership of 'Mannookkaran'. More than 250 people including 'Ooru Mooppan', 'Bhandari', 'Kuduthala', Kudumbashree Ooru Samiti office bearers, Panchayat Samiti office bearers, farmers and NHG members became part of Kambalam.

Shri. B.S. Manoj, Assistant Program Officer, Kudumbashree Attappady Comprehensive Development Project honored the Panchayat Samiti office bearers, Mannookkaran and farmers. Traditional music and dance were performed accompanied by musical instruments and traditional food was eaten. Attappady Tribal Comprehensive Development Project officials, Ms. Praja, Secretary, Panchayat Samiti, Ms. Selina Shanmugam, President, Panchayat Samiti and others were part of Kambalam.

This year, as part of the Attappady Adivasi Comprehensive Development Project, it is targeted to cultivate millets (small grains) in 1000 acres. Apart from this, the activities for preparing five model farms each in Agali, Sholayur, Kurumba and Puthoor Panchayat Samitis are also in progress.