Kerala Chicken Project is achieving greater progress as 61 Marketing Outlets are inaugurated till date. 'Kerala Chicken' is the project conceptualized by the Government of Kerala to ensure the market of good quality chicken at affordable rates all across the state. The project is jointly being implemented by Kudumbashree, Animal Husbandry Department and the Brahmagiri Development Society. This project is supervised by the Animal Husbandry Department. Kudumbashree had taken the lead in taking the broiler chicken to the market through integration farming.

In the first phase of this project, it was conceived in such a way that the farms were started and the broiler chickens from the farms were brought directly to the market. This was how the project was conceptualized and implemented. Following that, from June 2020 onwards, Kudumbashree had started taking actions to sell broiler chicken to the public in 'Kerala Chicken' brand through specially branded marketing outlets of Kerala Chicken. The first marketing outlet in the state was started at Ernakulam district under Ezhikkara CDS. On 30 July 2021, the latest marketing outlet was started at Ettumanoor of Kottayam district and with this, the total number of Kerala Chicken outlets has become 61. The total number of farms is 230.

The details of Marketing outlets and farms in every districts are given below (In the order of district, farms and marketing outlets).

1. Ernakulam - 51 Farms, 22 Marketing Outlets
2. Thrissur - 42, 11
3. Kottayam - 44, 12
4. Thiruvananthapuram - 32, 5
5. Kollam - 30, 9
6. Kozhikode - 31, 2

The project of taking the full-grown broiler chicken directly to the marketing outlets is being implemented in three phases. In the first phase, the aim was to start 40 farms each in 7 districts (Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad) and open 20 marketing outlets each to take the broiler chicken from those farms. In the second phase these activities would be extended to 3 more districts viz. Malappuram, Kannur and Alappuzha districts. It is planned to implement the third phase of the project in the remaining districts during this financial year itself. It is expected that Kudumbashree would be able to start more 'Kerala Chicken' farms and marketing outlets by the end of this financial year itself and secure a notable space in the market.

Kudumbashree members would arrange the sweets for the Onam Kit of Supplyco this year. As of now, Kudumbashree has received orders worth Rs 5.41 crores. The sweets are to be distributed among the 88 lakh ration card holders in the state. 17 lakh packets of sarkara varatti (jaggery coated banana chips) and 16,060 packets of banana chips had already been handed over to Supplyco. The remaining packets would be delivered at the earliest. Kudumbashree would arrange the sweets in 100gm packets.

At first the supplyco would give away the kits to the beneficiaries of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, the sponsored scheme of Government of India to provide highly subsidised food to millions of the poorest families and BPL card holders. Supplyco would give Rs 29.12 per packet to the entrepreneurs including the GST and Supplyco would directly transfer the amount to the accounts of the micro entrepreneurs as they deliver the products at the depots.  The products are prepared by more than 200 agri micro enterprise units functioning under Kudumbashree. The process of delivering products to the 56 depots of Supplyco is progressing now across the state with the support of the respective District Mission officials. The banana for preparing and packing the sweets as requested by the Supplyco was procured from the two and a half lakh Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) of Kudumbashree. 

Kudumbashree aims at making maximum use of the onam market to overcome the financial crisis the entrepreneurs had to face during the Covid-19 pandemic. It'a as part of this, Kudumbashree is converging with Supplyco. Kudumbashree also aims at attracting the farmers who are engaged in plantain cultivation to value added products sector and thereby help them earn more income.

Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission launched 'Amrutham Karkkidakam' Ethnic Food Fest under the leadership of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs at Collectorate premises on 22 July 2021. 'Amrutham Karkkidakam' Handbook, which would be helpful for maintaining a healthy life style and food habits was also launched at the function. The Handbook was launched by Shri. K. Rajan, Minister for Land Revenue, Survey and Land Records, Land Reforms, Housing, Government of Kerala by giving the same to Shri. K. Radhakrishnan, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, Devaswoms, Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Kerala. The Food Fest was inaugurated by Shri. P. K David Master, President, District Panchayath, Thrissur.

The food fest envisages to make available ethnic food products to the public and preserve the tradition and culture of Kerala. During this Ethnic Food Fest, various types of medicinal porridges and leafy curries would be served. Shri. K.V Jyothish Kumar, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission presided over the function. In addition to the different medicinal porridges, medicines to improve the health would also be served as parcels. The Ethnic Food Fest is being organized following the covid protocol. The Food Fest would come to an end on 30 July 2021. 

The Handbook launched deals about the traditional health practices, food and pandemics. It also includes traditional knowledge, Ayurveda practices and healthy food habits. Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission had been organizing Food Festival in the name 'Amrutham Karkkidakam' at the Panchayaths in the districts for about four years. The Handbook would be helpful for the Kudumbashree enterprises to prepare Karkkidakam dishes in the background of covid-19 pandemic. The Handbook is prepared under the leadership of AIFRHM (Adebha- Athidhi Devo Bhava- Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management), the Yuvashree Enterprise of Kudumbashree functioning in the catering sector.

For motivating the aspiring photographers and to propagate the activities of Kudumbashree Mission through photographs, Kudumbashree Mission launched the Season 4 of ‘Kudumbashree or Nerchithram’ Photography Competition on 22 July 2021. The contestants may submit photographs that would reflect the priority projects of Kudumbashree Mission. The photographs should reflect the activities of Kudumbashree such as, Kudumbashree Neighbourhood Group meetings, various enterprises run by Kudumbashree women including Kudumbashree canteens and cafes, the farming activities of Kudumbasree women, the parking management of Kudumbashree women at railway stations and various other spots, the waiting halls managed by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs, housekeeping services and the activities of the BUDS institutions etc.

The entries should reach Kudumbashree Mission office on or before 5 PM, 31 August 2021. The jury, composed of renowned photographers and officials of Kudumbashree Mission will select the winner. The Award for the Best Photographer will be Rs 25,000. The second prize and third prize will be Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Rs 2000 each will be issued for 10 entries as consolation prizes.

Entries may be sent to the mail id, kudumbashreeprcontest@gmail.com or may be sent in CD Format to the address, The Executive Director, Kudumbashree State Mission Office, Trida Building, Medical college P.O, Thiruvananthapuram-695011. The name, address, mail id and contact number should be mentioned along with. A short note on the photograph should be attached along with. The photographs should not contain any watermarks. More details of the notification is available in the link : www.kudumbashree.org/photography2021.

The first season of ‘Kudumbashree or Nerchithram’ was conducted during November- December 2017, the second season during February -March 2019 and the third season was held during January- February 2020. The three seasons of 'Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram' Photography Competition resulted in a huge success. Good quality photographs portraying the strength of Kudumbashree, functioning focusing on women empowerment is considered for the ‘Kudumbashree Oru Nerchithram’ Photography Competition, which is being conducted from 2017 onwards. Kudumbashree Mission which envisions eradicating poverty through women in Kerala had successfully completed 23 revolutionary years.

Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission organised Covid Special Karkkidaka Kanji Fest. The Fest was inaugurated by Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at the District Panchayath Canteen, Vidyanagar, Kasaragod on 20 July 2021. Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission would organise Special Karkkidaka Kanji Fest at all the 40 Janakeeya Hotels in the district till 16 August 2021. The Karkkidaka Kanji is prepared using medicinal plants and organic rice in the traditional way of ayurveda.Four types of Kanji are served along with leafy curries and gooseberry chutney. Rs 50 is charged for the same. Take Away Counters would be set up at all Janakeeya Hotels. 

Smt. Bhandari Swagat Ranveerchand IAS, District Collector, Kasaragod, Smt. Baby Balakrishnan, President, District Panchayath, Kasaragod, Shri. Shanavas Padoor, Vice President, District Panchayath, Kasaragod, Shri. T.T Surendran, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission and other officials also attended the function.

Ms. P.I Sreevidya IAS took over the charge as the new Executive Director of Kudumbashree. Ms. Asha Varghese welcomed the newly assigned Executive Director, who reached the Kudumbashree State Mission Office at Thiruvananthapuram. Mr. S. Harikishore IAS, handed over the charge of the Executive Director to Ms. P.I Sreevidya. Ms. P.I Sreevidya is the 2010 Batch IAS Officer and was working as the Director of Scheduled Caste Development Department.

A 'Club House' Discussion was organised by the Gender Help Desk of Kasaragod under the leadership of Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission on the topic 'Whether Marriage is a Business Deal?' on 27 June 2021. The discussion was attended by the college students in the district. The discussion addressed the various issues prevailing in the society in connection with the marriage and dowry system. Discussions were also held on the changes to be brought into the families, society and in the social mindset in the light of the current domestic violence cases reported in the state. It was suggested that the changes should be brought in by the individuals themselves. 

Snehitha Gender Help Desk is planning to conduct such discussions regularly on such social media platforms. Ms. Arathi Menon, District Programme Manager, Gender was the moderator of the discussion.

'Didi ki Rasoi' Canteen Chain of Bihar state, started with the support of Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation is stepping on to the next phase of execution now. The State Rural Livelihood Mission of the Government of Bihar had requested the consultancy support of Kudumbashree to form a branded canteen chain in the state, just like the 'Cafe Kudumbashree' in Kerala. Based on this request, Kudumbashree had signed an agreement to help the Bihar State Rural Livelihood Mission to form a canteen chain named 'Didi ki Rasoi'. As of now, 4 'Didi ki Rasoi' canteens are functioning in Bihar.

In the first phase, the Government of Bihar had decided to give the charge of running the canteen at the District General Hospital at Vaishali of Bihar, Cafe, operating Coffee Vending Machine, Kiosk etc to the SHG members belonging to Jeevika (State Rural Livelihood Mission of Bihar). Kudumbashree was asked to identify the suitable women members (of Jeevika) who are capable of running this canteen chain. Kudumbashree's mandate was also to extend the needed training and to provide hand holding support for a specific duration, giving support for the day to day activities.  To achieve this, 35 mentors who give training in running canteens were facilitated for Bihar SRLM under the leadership of Kudumbashree National Resource Organization (NRO). Also Kudumbashree had partnered with the Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology (IHMCT) at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram to extend them the needed academic training. Under their leadership, training and support for 'Didi ki Rasoi' was given, partnering with AIFRHM (Adebha-Adhithi Devo Bhava- Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management), the Yuvashree enterprise of Kudumbashree.

 The Kudumbashree team trained the entrepreneurs to run the canteens in the 4 locations where the 'Didi ki Rasoi' canteens are functioning. They provide handholding support to the canteens for 6 months. Further, with the confidence gained from training and from the handholding support, didis of Bihar took the project forward with great enthusiasm and energy. On the basis of the success of the first phase, Kudumbashree has signed a MoU with the SRLM of the Government of Bihar for the second phase training of 'Didi ki Rasoi'.

In the second phase, Kudumbashree was asked to support the first phase activities and give support to start the canteens at around 70  District Level General Hospitals in various districts. It is aimed to start the activities of the same by August 2021 and make these canteens functional by March 2022. In addition to the Canteen Chain, the Government of Bihar has also requested Kudumbashree to extend training in various models in the catering sector such as hotels, cafeterias, coffee shops, coffee vending machines etc as part of the second phase activities.

Kudumbashree is planning to enter into the activity of forming various models including cafeteria, once the canteen formation would be completed at around 70 District Hospitals of Bihar.It is a matter of pride that Kudumbashree could play a key role when the 'Didi ki Rasoi' Canteen chain is creating history in Bihar. Also it brings immense pride to Kudumbashree that Kudumbashree's NRO has grown to such a level to extend the services for empowering women, as per the need of every state, with the background of 23 years of experience in Kerala.  NRO is conquering heights showcasing the best performance.

'Kerala Chicken', the project conceptualized by the Government of Kerala to ensure the market of good quality chicken at affordable rates all across the state, is achieving greater progress with 47 Marketing Outlets. On 14 June 2021, the latest marketing outlet was started at Venjaramoodu of Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala and with this, the total number of Kerala Chicken outlets has become 47. The total number of farms in the state is 203.  

In the first phase of Kerala Chicken Project, it was conceived in such a way that the farms are started and the broiler chicken from the farms is brought directly to the market. This was how the project was conceptualized and implemented.
Following that, from June 2020 onwards, Kudumbashree had started taking actions to sell broiler chicken to the public in 'Kerala Chicken' brand through specially branded marketing outlets of Kerala Chicken. The first marketing outlet in the state was started at Ernakulam district under Ezhikkara CDS. There are 48 farms and 21 marketing outlets in Ernakulam, whereas there are 37 farms and 11 marketing outlets in Thrissur. The total number of farms in Kottayam is 30 and the number of marketing outlets is 9. Thiruvananthapuram has 31 farms and 3 marketing outlets, whereas Kollam has 26 farms and 3 marketing outlets. There are 31 farms in Kozhikode. 

The project of taking the full-grown broiler chicken directly to the marketing outlets is being implemented in three phases. In the first phase, the aim was to start 40 farms each in 7 districts (Ernakulam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad) and open 20 marketing outlets each to take the broiler chicken from those farms. In the second phase these activities would be extended to 3 more districts viz. Malappuram, Kannur and Alappuzha districts. It is planned to implement the third phase of the project in the remaining districts during this financial year itself.

The 'Kerala Chicken' Project is jointly being implemented by Kudumbashree, Animal Husbandry Department and Brahmagiri Development Society. This project is supervised by the Animal Husbandry Department. Kudumbashree had taken the lead in taking the broiler chicken to the market through integration farming. Also, a processing unit will be started as a part of this comprehensive project. It is expected that Kudumbashree would be able to start more 'Kerala Chicken' farms and marketing outlets by the end of this financial year itself and secure a notable space in the market.

The new 100 Day Programme of the present Government is also announced now and Kudumbashree projects are included in the new 100 Day Programme. Out of the announced projects, six programmes are to be taken up by Kudumbashree either fully or as a part of a broader scheme. These are challenging tasks which the Kudumbashree team will take up and implement. Once rolled out, the results of these programmes will lead to social development, progress and prosperity.

The details of the projects included in the ‘100 days program’ are given below :

1. Grading the Janakeeya Hotels as part of the Hunger Free Kerala Programme.

2. There are many Kudumbashree members who have completed entrepreneurship training, started the skill training and could not complete the same due to the lockdown. Their skill training would be completed and at least 2000 of them would start micro enterprises.
3. Financial assistance of Rs 200 crores would be distributed to NHGs through ADS. The support, in the form of Revolving Fund, is to address vulnerabilities caused due to COVID for the NHG members. Fund will be disbursed through 20,000 Area Development Societies (ADSs) of Kudumbashree.
4. Distribution of 50,000 laptops as part of the Vidyashree Programme, in association with KSFE.
5. The process of identifying poor families as part of alleviating extreme poverty would be completed. The families would be identified and data would be collected in all LSGIs based on these risk factors.
6. Construction of 2000 houses would be completed as part of PMAY(U)-LIFE Project.

Kudumbashree team would take up and complete the implementation of these priority projects included in the ‘100 Day Programme’ from 11 June to 19 September 2021. The weekly progress of these key programmes would be available on Kudumbashree's website. The Kudumbashree team would be able to showcase the best performance in implementing this ‘100 Day Programme’ with the same enthusiasm exhibited during the last two '100 Day Programmes'.