Kudumbashree has become active in the online trading sector by bringing over 1,000 products of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs to the online market. Kudumbashree products will be available on leading online platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, ONDC and Meesho. A wide range of products are available online, including food products, curry powders, ayurvedic products, clothing, handicrafts, etc. Those who want to buy Kudumbashree products will have the convenience of choosing and purchasing the products of their choice from anywhere in the country at their fingertips. Last year, Kudumbashree was able to achieve excellent sales through online platforms.

Kudumbashree aims to create a strong marketing network for Kudumbashree products and at the same time increase income for entrepreneurs. It is as part of this, the potential of the online business sector is being utilized. The aim is to increase sales by bringing products to consumers quickly in line with market changes. As part of bringing products to the online platform, 149 selected entrepreneurs were trained in GST registration, company registration, preparation of product descriptions, product photography, various marketing methods including using social media such as Instagram and Facebook. Six months of support has also been assured to the entrepreneurs to bring their products to the online platform and to make marketing more efficient. The training was provided to the entrepreneurs with the support of NABARD. Pocket Mart-Kudumbashree Store mobile app has also been created to provide Kudumbashree products and services. The work related to this is in the final stage.                              

Extensive activities have been planned for the current financial year to ensure a sustainable market for Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. Several activities aimed at empowering entrepreneurs, such as linking Kudumbashree products with various distribution networks and setting up warehouses in each district for product storage, will be implemented this year. Steps will also be taken to provide Kudumbashree Lunch Bell lunch in collaboration with online food delivery systems like Swiggy and Zomato. Various training provided to entrepreneurs to help them find markets for their products using social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Google Business will continue this year. Training will also be provided on AI-based marketing.

Along with online platforms, the existing product marketing systems have also been made more efficient. As part of this, the home shop system, which directly markets Kudumbashree products, has been further expanded by including 50 new management teams and 8,718 home shop owners. A turnover of Rs. 19.61 crores was received through home shops last year alone. Kudumbashree has also achieved a turnover of more than Rs. 5 crores in the last one year through 13 Premium Cafe Restaurants opened in 13 districts.

The State Level 'Kudumbashree Award' Selection Workshop began at Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) Headquarters Mulagunnathukavu, Thrissur on 21 April 2025. The selection activities for the state level awards in the categories of Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best NHG, Best Oorusamithi, Best BUDS Institution and Best Entrepreneurial Group were held on the first day of the Award Selection Workshop. On the second day of the workshop, presentations were made for the best CDS (convergence programmes, unique activities, governance-microfinance activities), Best Auxiliary Group, Best Entrepreneur, Best CDS (tribal activities), and Best Gender Resource Centres. The awarding process will continue till 26 April 2025. The award distribution will also be organized on 17 May 2025 in connection with Kudumbashree Day.

Through Kudumbashree Award it is aimed to evaluate and recognize the best work in various fields with the aim of providing energy and inspiration to the activities of the Kudumbashree system from the grassroots, including the three-tier organizational structure. State-Level Awards are given in a total of 17 categories.

Awards will be given for Best Neighborhood Group, ADS, Oorusamithi, Enterprise Group, Entrepreneur, BUDS Institution, Gender Resource Centre, Auxiliary Group, Auxiliary Enterprise, Snehitha Gender Help Desk, District that has carried out best Public Relations activities, Best District Mission, Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration- Microfinance Activities), Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best CDS (Tribal Activities) and Best CDS (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC).

Another special feature is that for the remaining awards, except for the Best District Mission, District that has carried out Best Public Relations activities, Best Snehitha Gender Help Desk and Best BUDS Institution, the representatives of the three-tier organization system who have won district-level awards from 14 districts will make presentations at the workshop.

Minister visits the Award Selection Workshop

M.B. Rajesh, Minister for Local Self Governments, Excise and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Kerala and T.V. Anupama IAS, Special Secretary,  Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala visited the Kudumbashree State-Level Award Selection Workshop on 21 April 2025.

Kudumbashree has generated income for 3.24 lakh beneficiaries till date through various schemes implemented in the animal husbandry sector in the state. Kudumbashree has been able to provide better employment and thereby sustainable income to these beneficiaries as part of the various schemes implemented in this sector. This includes 1,00,825 families who got employment as part of the K-LIFT livelihood campaign.
                         
Kudumbashree has been implementing many notable activities to create employment opportunities in the animal husbandry sector. So far, Rs. 357 crores have been earned through the Kerala Chicken Scheme. The project has achieved the goal of producing eight percent of domestic consumption and controlling prices in the public market. In the second phase of the project, marketing of frozen products under the name 'Kerala Chicken' has started. In addition, a processing plant has also become operational at Kadinamkulam of Thiruvananthapuram. Currently, about seven hundred beneficiaries are getting a sustainable income through the project.

There has also been a big leap in the poultry sector. 104 hatcheries and 76 mother units have started operating in this sector. In addition, assistance was given to 623 farmers to start poultry farming at low cost by empaneling poultry units through the 'Kozhiyum Koodum' Project. The financial support provided to farmers to promote livelihood activities is also noteworthy. For this, Rs. 40.16 crores was provided under the Community Enterprise Fund, including Rs. 35.1 crores for rural CDSs and Rs. 5.15 crores for urban CDSs. This helped 20,731 livestock farmers to strengthen their livelihood activities. As part of the formation of 401 producer groups to sell the farmers' products, Rs. 4 crores was also provided as financial assistance for infrastructure development and working capital. Subsidies have been provided to cattle farmers through the 'Ksheera Sagaram' Scheme and to goat farmers through the 'Aadu Gramam' Scheme.

The Animal Husbandry Department, in collaboration with renowned institutions in this field, is also giving special emphasis for making its members better farmers and entrepreneurs by providing scientific training. As part of this, 4,530 community members have been trained and provided with 'Pashu Sakhi' certification to support farmers at the field level. Out of them, 458 'Pashu Sakhi' have also been provided with A-HELP certification. They will provide the necessary support to intensify agricultural activities at the field level. Fisheries clusters have also been started on a pilot basis in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts as part of creating employment opportunities for women farmers in fish farming and allied sectors.

Kudumbashree has provided employment to 3.23 lakh women in the micro-enterprise sector in the state. A total of 1,63,458 enterprises, including more than one lakh individual enterprises and more than fifty thousand group enterprises, have been formed in this sector to provide livelihood to these women. This includes the formation of 34,422 enterprises through K-LIFT, the special livelihood campaign launched last February. Through this alone, 61,158 people have received employment.

Micro-enterprises is an important project implemented by Kudumbashree with the aim of economic empowerment of women. As part of various projects, Kudumbashree provides self-employment to women in the production and service sectors. The largest number of women is in the production sector. There are 69,484 enterprises in the production sector. Amrutam Nutrimix, which supplies supplementary nutrition to Anganwadis, is prepared and provided through 241 units under Kudumbashree. 1,680 women are employed in this sector. 49,381 enterprises have been formed in the service sector and 35,646 enterprises in the trade sector. Kudumbashree has taken a significant step in sectors including food production, value-added product manufacturing and food processing. There are 2,685 enterprises in the food processing sector alone.

The 35,214 volunteers of the 4,438 Haritha Karma Sena units formed under Kudumbashree for the collection of inorganic waste in the state are also earning good income. Apart from this, there are Kudumbashree entrepreneurs in sectors like building construction units, cement block manufacturing, computer hardware, driving school, marriage bureau, housekeeping etc. The PM-Yuva scheme is also being implemented for the youth. There are also 1,784 'Prathyasha' units in the state for the marginalized, the disabled and widows. 1,028 Janakeeya Hotels are also being run to provide quality midday meals to the poor for Rs. 20.

Kudumbashree gives special consideration to starting new enterprises in line with the times and developing the entrepreneurial capacity of women. The most important of these are the 288 branded cafes that have been opened across the state and the premium cafe restaurants that have been opened in 13 districts. Another is the K 4 Care project, which was launched to maximize the employment opportunities available in the elderly care sector. 605 people have already been employed through this.

Kudumbashree also has various projects implemented in collaboration with other departments and agencies. The most important of these are the 51 e-Seva Kendra run in collaboration with the Motor Vehicle Department. There are also 343 canteens in various government departments and offices. Currently, Kudumbashree is implementing around seventy projects in collaboration with various departments. Kudumbashree also provides general orientation training, entrepreneurship development training, skill development training, and various financial supports to women entering the self-employment sector.

Kudumbashree has come up with the Kudumbashree Technology Advancement Programme (K-TAP) with the aim of modernizing the agricultural sector and ensuring sustainable income for women farmers. The objective of the project is to provide better employment opportunities to women by using innovative technologies in agriculture and allied sectors, including production, value-added product manufacturing, processing and marketing, and achieving progress in all areas of agriculture. For this, a centralized technology repository has been prepared in collaboration with renowned agricultural technology research institutes in India. Accordingly, Kudumbashree has acquired more than 180 new technologies.

This is the first time that Kudumbashree has acquired so many technologies for the modernization of the agricultural sector and the empowerment of women farmers. The new project will change the face of agricultural activities currently being implemented through Kudumbashree. Currently, about 4.3 lakh women are cultivating rice, banana, various vegetables and fruits in 92,442 farmer groups under Kudumbashree across the state. In addition, producer groups, agricultural enterprises, farmer producer companies and integrated farming clusters are also functioning. Thus, Kudumbashree will provide assistance to those working in the agricultural sector to strengthen their livelihood activities through the new technology bank. Entrepreneurs who are currently doing good agriculture and related businesses have been identified for this. They will be trained in collaboration with leading agricultural research and technology institutions in the country. The implementation of the new project will pave the way for them to increase their income.

A big leap is also expected in areas such as processing of agricultural products, value addition of small grains, coconut products, and eco-friendly packaging. Technology will also be used to innovate organic production methods, smart farming, packing, branding, and licensing. This will pave the way for expansion of existing enterprises and increase in income.

The project also includes a plan to overcome all the limitations currently faced in product marketing. For this, premium level products will be prepared with the aim of exporting as well. In addition, activities related to this will ensure the necessary certifications and food safety standards for marketing Kudumbashree agricultural products in national and international markets.

The K-TAP Programme will be utilized to find the best agricultural entrepreneurs from the younger generation, including the Kudumbashree Auxiliary Groups, which is the youth wing of Kudumbashree. The goal is to enable the youth to find a good career in the agricultural field. For this, they will be introduced to modern farming methods and processing technologies. Entrepreneurship development training will also be provided.

M.B. Rajesh, Minister for Local Self Governments, Excise and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Kerala performed the State Level Inauguration of the E-Cycle Distribution to Kudumbashree NHG members at U Plus Auditorium, Alathur Palakkad on 18 April 2025. K. Krishnankutty, Minister for Electricity, Government of Kerala presided over the function. 

The e-cycle distribution is as part of the 'Sustainable Transport for Rural Entrepreneurs through E- Bicycles' project (STREE),  jointly implemented by the Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala, Power Department, Government of Kerala and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) as part of the state government's Nava Kerala Action Plan. The programme envisages achieving the goal of net zero emission or carbon neutral Kerala by 2050, energy conservation, capacity building-entrepreneurship development of Kudumbashree members and for reducing travel expenses and for increasing other income. The aim is to help the NHG members to speed up their livelihood activities and thereby help them increase their income. The Minister said.

A total of 600 E-Cycles will be distributed in Kannur, Palakkad districts. 250 e-cycles will be distributed in Palakkad district and 350 e-cycles in Kannur district. Usage of petrol vehicles will result in carbon emission. The aim is to reduce the pollution to the maximum. The e-cycle can travel a distance of 40 km in single charge. For this, only 0.5 units of electricity are required. When charging at home, only Rs 3.5 is spent. Arrangements are also made for the maintenance of the e-cycles. This will be really helpful for Kudumbashree members. The Minister added in his inaugural speech. 

An e-cycle costs Rs. 33,000. The beneficiary will only have to pay Rs 3,000. The Power Department will provide Rs 6,400 and the rest will be provided by the Asian Development Bank. Through this project, the expenses of the families can be reduced. The Minister for Electricity said in his presidential address. 

The keys of the e-bicycles were jointly handed over by the Ministers to Soumya U (Alathur CDS), Suja Sanal (Alathur CDS), Jeena Kabeer (Alathur CDS), Sindhu (Erumayoor CDS), Anju (Erumayoor CDS), Sujitha K (Kavassery CDS), Preethi Kumari (Kavassery CDS), Sunitha Kumari C (Tharoor CDS), Sameena (Erumayoor CDS) and Priya K, (Vadakkancherry CDS). As per the beneficiary selection criteria, women entrepreneurs who are members of the NHGs in rural areas and are below 40 years of age and have to travel five kilometers daily as part of their work were selected by Kudumbashree for the project.

BP Apparatus was handed over by M.B. Rajesh, Minister to Sreedevi from Chittur Municipality. Alathur BUDS School which was selected as the Best BUDS School and the Puthucode Haritha Karma Sena which was selected as the Best Haritha Karma Sena was felicitated by K. Krishnankutty, Minister.

K. K Chandradas, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission welcomed the gathering. Subhash Babu B.V. Registrar, Energy Management Centre Kerala, Electricity Department delivered the vote of thanks.  K. Radhakrishnan, MP, Alathur Constituency was the Chief Guest of the function. K.D. Prasenan, MLA,  Alathur Constituency, P.P Sumod, MLA, Tharoor Constituency, K. Binumol, President, District Panchayat, Palakkad were the Guest of Honor. Naveen C, Chief Operating Officer, NRLM & Programme Officer, Kudumbashree presented the project.

Rajani Babu, President, Alathur Block Panchayat, T.K. Devadas, President, Kuzhalmannam Block Panchayat & President, Block Panchayat Presidents Association, Suresh K., President, Lakkidi Perur Grama Panchayat & President,  Kerala Grama Panchayat Presidents Association, Shyni A, President, Alathur Grama Panchayat, A Premakumar, President, Erimayur Grama Panchayat, C. Rameshkumar, President, Kavassery Grama Panchayat, M. Sumathi Teacher, President, Kannambra Grama Panchayat, Kavitha Madhavan, President, Kizhakkencherry Grama Panchayat, I. Hazeena Teacher, President, Puthucode Grama Panchayat, Ramani Teacher, President, Tharoor Grama Panchayat, Lissy Suresh, President, Vadakkancherry Grama Panchayat, Chandran Paruvakkal, Vice President, Alathur Grama Panchayat, Bhavanjeet Singh (Advisor), Amit Sood, (Deputy General Manager), Chetna Gogna (Manager), Deepak Sahni, Manager, officials of Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and officials of Energy Management Centre Kerala (EMC), Chairpersons of Kizhakkencherry CDS, Vadakkancherry CDS, Erimayur  CDS, Chairperson, Kavassery CDS, Puthucode CDS, Tharoor CDS, Kannambra CDS, representatives of various political parties and other officials were also present at the function.

Kudumbashree NHGs, which is known as the backyard bank, have deposits of Rs. 9369 crores in various banks in the state. Savings creation at the NHG level is part of the micro finance project that Kudumbashree has been implementing since its inception in 1998 to promote the saving habits of ordinary women and meet their personal needs. One of the biggest achievements of Kudumbashree, which has completed its silver jubilee, is the huge investment made by the NHG members so far. Although the project was started with the condition that all members should invest at least Rs. 10 every week, the gradual progress in the number of NHGs and members and their investments has helped the savings to jump into the billions. In addition, through the Sustainable Thrift and Credit Campaign conducted by Kudumbashree Mission during 2024-25, the average weekly savings of the NHG members have been significantly increased. With this, Kudumbashree has also earned the reputation of being the women's fraternity that achieved the highest investment through weekly savings in Asia.

Along with savings, one can also take loans from NHGs. The fact that NHG loans are available at low interest rates without any procedures makes it attractive. By obtaining these loans, one can also avoid the debt trap of private loan lenders. A member can take a loan proportional to the investment according to their needs. If other members permit, they can get more than their own investment amount in the form of a loan. There is an opportunity to take loans in NHGs as personal loans and with mutual guarantees. Till date, Rs. 28723.89 crores have been given to the NHG members in the form of internal loans.

Today, a good section of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs across the state have successfully started their businesses by taking loans from NHGs. They also rely on Kudumbashree loans for various needs such as children's education, house construction, marriage, and medical treatments etc.

Kudumbashree's microfinance project has also played a major role in providing financial literacy to all NHG members in the state. Today, all NHG members have their own bank accounts. 3.07 lakh NHGs have been linked to banks so far. Through this, they have also gained the ability to conduct their own banking transactions and make digital payments. Today, in addition to nationalized banks, new generation banks are also coming forward to provide loans to NHGs. This is due to the accuracy of loan repayments of Kudumbashree members.

The logo of the National SARAS Mela, which will be organized in Kozhikode district from 2 to13 May 2025, was released by Adv. P. A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister for Public Works and Tourism, Government of Kerala by handing over to Beena Philip, Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation on 15 April 2025. The logo designed by Aneesh Puthenchery, a native of Ulliyeri, Kozhikode, was selected as the SARAS logo from the 16 entries received in the Logo Design Competition conducted in connection with the SARAS Mela.

The attractions of the fair include market stalls providing products produced by rural entrepreneurs in India and a food court providing delicacies from various states. The fair will be held at Kozhikode beach.

Ahmed Devarkovil, MLA presided over the logo release ceremony. P.T.A. Rahim, Thottathil Raveendran, K.M. Sachin Dev, MLAs, Sheeja Sasi, President, District Panchayat, Kozhikode, Adv. Gavas, Vice President, District Panchayat, Kozhikode, C.P. Muzaffar Ahmed, Deputy Mayor, Kozhikode Corporation, Muhammed Rafeeq. C, Additional District Magistrate, Kozhikode and Kavitha P.C., District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kozhikode District Mission were also present at the function.

Around 1.26 lakh children took charge as office bearers in the 31,612 Balasabha, the fraternity of children under Kudumbashree, through the elections held on 8 April 2025. The Balasabha Governing Body, which consists of the office bearers of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Joint Secretary, has a term of one year. Two out of the four members of the Balasabha Governing Body are girls. In addition, the posts of President or Secretary is given to a girl member.

Balasabha, which was started as an association of children who attend NHG meetings with their mothers, work towards the all-round development of children. The Balasabha have many objectives, such as preventing the spread of poverty from generation to generation, instilling values such as knowledge acquisition through entertainment, leadership skills, cooperative spirit, scientific aptitude, democratic consciousness, environmental awareness, and personal development in children.

To achieve these objectives, many activities are being carried out through Kudumbashree Balasabha. As the first step in the selection process for the Mind Blowers Liora Fest Summer Camp, one such activity, a Children's Gathering, was organized in the Balasabha on 8 April 2025. The district-level summer camp will be organized in the month of May 2025.

Kudumbashree Snehitha Gender Help Desk, which has provided a safe haven for women and children who are victims of violence, has so far handled 60,889 cases. Out of these, 11,776 people, including women and children, were provided temporary shelter through Snehitha. In 49,113 cases, free legal aid, medical aid and counseling services were also provided in collaboration with the respective District Legal Service Authority. This includes cases that came to Snehitha office in person and tele-cases since it started operations on 23 August 2013.

In the Financial Year 2024-25 alone, Kudumbashree Snehitha handled 6,605 cases. Out of these, 1,692 people, including women and children, were sheltered. Out of the total cases, 1,102 were domestic violence cases and 233 were sexual violence cases against children. In addition, 136 cases related to other forms of violence against children were also handled. The activities related to this are being carried out with the support of the Police and the Child Helpline.

The Snehitha Gender Help Desk is a 24-hour system under the auspices of Kudumbashree to provide various support and assistance to women and children facing various problems in the society. The activities are carried out in collaboration with various departments, including the Department of Women and Child Development. Women and children who come to Snehitha directly with various problems will be provided temporary shelter for a maximum of three days. There are also many cases that require rehabilitation. For this, necessary support is provided in collaboration with various departments and NGOs. Counseling services are also provided to those who need psychological support.

Snehitha also functions as the District-Level Nodal Gender Resource Centre for the Gender Point Person, Vigilant Groups and Gender Resource Centres formed to ensure women's safety at the local level.

Snehitha Gender Resource Centre was started in Ernakulam district on 23 August 2013. Snehitha is currently functioning in all fourteen districts and also as part of the Attappadi Tribal Comprehensive Development Project. Each Snehitha office has 11 employees including two counselors, five service providers, an office assistant, a caretaker and 2 security guards. They work on a shift basis. 

As part of expanding activities of Snehitha Gender Help Desk, Snehitha Extension Centres have been started in police stations under the jurisdiction of 84 DySP / ACP offices in the state in collaboration with the Home Department. The aim of this is to ensure psychological support by deputing Community Counsellors to women and children who come to the police station and need psychological support and welfare. In addition, 11 Snehitha Sub-Centres are also functioning to extend services of Snehitha Gender Help Desk to remote and isolated places.