'Tech for Tribals Kerala', the Training being implemented in Kerala through Kudumbashree associating with IIT Kanpur was held at Wayanad district of Kerala. 'Tech For Tribals’ is an initiative that aims at the holistic development of tribals with a focus on entrepreneurship development, soft skills, IT and business development through SHGs operating through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs). The initiative is being implemented as part of The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. The training was held at Thavinjal, Thirunelly, Noolpuzha and Thondernadu Van Dhan Vikas Kendras. 87 persons from 4 panchayaths has already participated in the programme. The training would be held at 4 other CDSs soon.

 The training was given by Shri. Ankith Saksena and Shri. Robin Philip of IIT Kanpur. The programme aims at enabling the tribal entrepreneurs to market quality products with certification.  As part of this, the tribal entrepreneurs in the district had produced value added products such as face pack, turmeric soap, turmeric oil, honey gooseberry, honey ginger etc. The training aims at bridging the gap between tribal hamlets and global markets. It digitally provides hands-on training to tribal entrepreneurs through course content relevant for the BoP Entrepreneurship in Value Addition and Processing of Forest Produces and shall support over 6000 beneficiaries under the programme. 

IIT Kanpur has conceived this training programme and prepared the training module focusing on the entrepreneurship in value addition and processing of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP). Topics  that would be helpful in entrepreneurship such as entrepreneurship skills, positive psychology, understanding the local opportunities based on NTFP, grading, sorting, branding, packaging, certification of the product, market survey, retail sales etc.

Tribal Micro Enterprise units from Attappady bags orders from Supplyco to provide sweets for the onam kits. Rushikondatta, Navarasa, Malleeshwara and Shreenandanam, the four micro enterprise units consisting of 16 tribal women from Attappady would provide 60,000 packets of banana chips and jaggery coated banana chips worth Rs 15.60 lakhs to the onam kits which would be distributed by the Supplyco during this onam season. The banana chips and the jaggery coated banana chips would be given to the Supplyco in the brand name, 'Hill Value'. The banana chips and the jaggery coated banana chips are given to the onam kits of Supplyco, as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project.

The Hill Value unit had already been selling various farm produce in the market under the 'Hill Value Brand. The unit has procured 24 tonnes  of plantain from the Kudumbashree Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) , which had in turn helped a lot many farmers who were facing challenges due to covid-19 pandemic. The JLGs have been producing various traditional crops such as ragi, little millet (chama), jowar, millets , fox tail millet (tina), kodo millet (varagu), sorghum (cholam) and pearl millet (kambham) and have been marketing under the 'Hill Value' brand. The products under 'Hill Value' brand also include coffee, turmeric powder, coriander powder, chilli powder, pickles, njavara, cardamom, clove, brindleberry, amara, thumara, tamarind, pepper, kungiliyam, honey, sesame, cinnamon etc. Previously, the Hill Value team had participated in the India International Trade Fair (IITF) held at Delhi, the Tribal Fair held at the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the National Sale of Articles and Rural Artisan Society (SARAS) and various other festivals and had earned good visibility and appreciation of thousands of consumers and general public.

In addition to the tribal micro enterprise units from Attappady, Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs from various districts across the state are busy preparing and supplying sweets for the onam kits of Supplyco. 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. As part of this, Kudumbashree is converging with Supplyco. The tribal micro enterprise units of Attappady are trying to make the most out of this opportunity now.

Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission organized 'Kavacham 2021' Health Assembly at the NHG level. Kudumbashree has been making various interventions in the covid countering activities. As the state is getting ready to confront the third wave of covid-19 pandemic, Kudumbashree is getting ready to take the covid countering campaign to the next level. Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission had organized various awareness programmes and competitions through Wayanad Vision and Malanad channel, local channels in the district and  various social media on 9 August 2021. Shri. O.R Kelu, MLA, Shri. T. Siddique, MLA, Shri, I. C Balakrishnan, MLA, Dr. Adeela Abdulla IAS, District Collector, Wayanad, Dr. Renuka, District Medical Officer, and Smt. P. Sajitha, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission spoke to the public. Covid pledge was also taken by the Kudumbashree members at their households. 

Meme making, cartoon, poster making for Balasabha children, poetry competition, short film competition and photography competition in connection with covid were organized as part of the campaign. Topics were given for poetry and photography competitions. The other competitions would be in connection with covid awareness. Awareness programme performed by Shri. Mathews, Folk Song Artist was also broadcasted through the local channels and various social media platforms. The results of the various competitions will be announced soon.

Kudumbashree is busy setting up 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets to market the products of Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs at the local level. Kudumbashree envisages to start 100 'Kudumbashree Shoppe' outlets all across the state. Sanction had been given for starting 73 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets and 15 of them had already started functioning. The activities to launch the remaining outlets is progressing at a faster pace. Now, 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets are opened at Vellarada, Pullampara panchayats of Thiruvananthapuram, Budhanoor Panchayath of Alappuzha, Kadavallur Panchayath of Thrissur, Narath Panchayath of Kannur,  Kuruva, Kuttippuram, Vengara Panchayats of Malappuram, Kanjikuzhy Panchayath of Idukki, Puthuppadi Panchayath of Kozhikode and Kottappady, Thiruvaniyoor, Okkal, Ayyambuzha, Mulanthuruthy Panchayaths of Ernakulam District. 'Naadanum Nallathum' (Local & Good) is the tagline of these branded 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets. 

The products of Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs were getting wide acceptance at the monthly markets, the temporary avenues which were started for promoting the products of Kudumbashree micro enterprises. Through monthly markets, it was able to identify markets for Kudumbashree micro enterprises that were in the initial stages. In this background, it was identified that these temporary markets should be turned into permanent marketing outlets. The idea of setting up marketing outlets at the local level was included in the Annual Action Plan 2020-21 of the Kudumbashree Marketing team. The same is included in the Annual Action Plan 2021-22 as well. On this basis, the district teams were directed to identify the spots where monthly markets were being held successfully. They were also asked to identify the spaces at various locations across the state, where the marketing outlets could be launched. Following that, a uniform plan and design of the marketing outlet (designed by the State Mission), which was branded as 'Kudumbashree Shopee' was given to the district teams. The district teams were directed to submit a detailed project proposal and estimate on the spaces identified to start the 'Kudumbashree Shopee'  outlets to Kudumbashree State Mission. After analyzing the same, sanction was given for starting 73 marketing outlets. 

The respective District Missions would own the 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets in their districts. The respective CDSs would be in charge of the 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets in their respective panchayats. The CDSs may entrust someone for dealing with the marketing and management of the outlets.  A meeting of the entrepreneurs could be convened under their leadership, fix the margins of the products and entrust the entrepreneurs to bring the products to the outlets, on a regular basis. It is the responsibility of the Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Consultants (MECs) to oversee the activities of the Kudumbashree Shopee outlets and handhold the same. Rs 5 lakh each would be allocated for setting up the outlet. This could be used for the interior functioning, electrification and for purchasing the needed equipment. Also, a Management Committee would be formed at the CDS level for the overall management of the outlets. The Management Committee should include CDS Chairperson, Member Secretary, Accountant,  ME Convener,  Block Coordinator, one CDS member and Micro Enterprise Consultant (MEC) as Managing Committee members. Kudumbashree is making concerted efforts to take the marketing of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs to the next level.

Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission launched 'Meraki' Brand Kurta of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. The enterprise was launched by Shri. V. Sivadasan, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha at Najmulhuda Shopping Complex, Meruvambai, Kannur on 7 August 2021. The enterprise was started by Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission, by joining a group of Kudumbashree women who knew tailoring beforehand and had lost their livelihood opportunities due to the crisis of Covid-19 pandemic.

'Meraki' Brand Kurta, which is launched at the state level is the first of its kind branded Kurta of Kudumbashree and the same  would soon be available online. The 'Meraki' Brand kurtas would be available in all sizes. The enterprise has a special logo and branded price tag and was launched by joining the women from Koothuparamba block, who knew tailoring beforehand. The training was extended to the entrepreneurs under the leadership of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kannur, an institution for Fashion, Design, Technology and Management, located in the Dharmashala of Kannur, during the first week of March 2021. The training extended was on the new trends in the fashion world and new designs. 

The micro entrepreneurs were divided into four enterprise groups and they would function as the enterprises of the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP). If pre-orders are given, they would also stitch dress codes as well. The 'Meraki' Brand Kurta also has a Customer Care Centre. 8281709388 is the contact number of 'Meraki' Brand Kurta of Kudumbashree.

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.