Kudumbashree will become a strong presence in Onam Flower Market this time as well. The flower cultivation which started across the state in view of the onam market is all set for harvesting. Marigold, jasmine and lotus are mainly cultivated. Currently, flower cultivation is progressing in 1253 acres of land. Last year, 1819 Farmer Groups were involved in floriculture on 780 acres. This time the aim was to start flower cultivation on a thousand acres. But currently 1253 acres of flower cultivation is done by 3000 women farmer groups.

It is on recognizing the growing demand for flowers in the Onam Market, Kudumbashree women farmers entered this sector. The aim is to provide flowers at affordable prices to make the onam celebrations more beautiful. And the fact that they can earn good income in a short period of time also attracts farmers to floriculture. There is a huge demand for flowers from the farms ready for harvesting itself. Along with this, Kudumbashree's flowers will be available in more than 2000 Onam Markets and other markets across the state starting on 10 September 2024.

Paddy, banana and vegetables are also cultivated all over the state through Kudumbashree Farmer Groups. Apart from this, now they are also active in floriculture. The activities are done in connection with the respective CDSs.

Kudumbashree's Onam Market will start on 10 September 2024 all across the state with various products for Keralites to celebrate Onam. Through Onam Markets Kudumbashree aims at providing products to consumers at fair prices during Onam. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala will perform the State Level Inauguration of the Kudumbashree Onam Markets during the function proposed to be held at Pathanamthitta on 10 September 2024.

2140 Marketing Fairs i.e., two in each of the 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree and 14 District Level Fairs will be organized. According to this, there will be a total of 2154 Marketing Fairs of Kudumbashree all across Kerala in connection with Onam. Each district will be given Rs.2 lakhs and Rs.20,000 each for Rural and Urban CDSs for organizing District Level Marketing Fairs. Apart from this, if more than two Marketing Fairs are organized in Urban CDSs, Rs. 10,000 will be given for every Marketing Fair conducted. The full participation of all individual and group entrepreneurs has already been ensured for the success of Onam Markets. In connection with its effective implementation of the same, preparatory meetings of District Missions, formation of organizing committee and entrepreneurial meetings have also been completed.

Through Onam Market Fairs, entrepreneurs in Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise-Agricultural Sectors will get the best opportunity to earn income by selling their produce. For this, at least one product from each NHG will be brought to the fairs. The products produced by the entrepreneurs working in the micro-enterprise sector will be brought to the fair. Kudumbashree branded products including 'Fresh Bites' Banana Chips and Sarkaravaratti (Jaggery coated Banana Chips) will be brought to the market. Apart from this, various types of cereal powders, food products, value added products, handicrafts and garments will also be available. All the products that reach the market will have a cover with the Kudumbashree logo, packaging and label with unit name, price, production date and marketing period. Also, agricultural products produced under the leadership of women farmers and entrepreneurs will also be brought to the fair. To fill the Kudumbashree Onam Markets, different kinds of flowers like chrysanthemum, marigold, jasmine and lotus grown by women farmers will be brought this time.

In connection with the Onam Marketing Fair, various art programmes will be staged in most of the CDSs under the leadership of NHG members and Balasabha members. The marketing fair will conclude on 14 September 2024.

The Guidelines of 'Kudumbashree Happy Keralam- Happiness Centre' was released. Shri. M. B Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala launched released the guidelines of 'Kudumbashree Happy Keralam- Happiness Centre', being implemented by Kudumbashree in Kerala which aims at raising the Happiness Index of the families. The Guidelines is prepared for the trainers. The guidelines will also include a training module and model for collecting data from families as part of the project.

Ms. K. S Bindu, Director, Kudumbashree, Dr. B Sreejith, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Ms. Krishna Kumari, State Assistant Programme Manager, Ms. Asha Panicker, Editorial Assistant, Kudumbashree, Ms. Chaithanya G, Communication Specialist, Ms. Manjary Asok, Communication Specialist, Shri. Arjun Prathap, Office Secretarial Staff, Ms. O. S Preetha, Chairperson, Aruvikkara CDS and Ms. Sunitha Kumari, Chairperson, Aryanad CDS was also present at the function. 

Kudumbashree is moving ahead with strong efforts to deliver Kudumbashree products to homes with a single click. As part of this, Kudumbashree organized a two-day expert training programme for the members of the District Level Master Training Group with the aim of guiding the entrepreneurs to use online marketing channels effectively. Kudumbashree is carrying out these activities under the 100 Days Programme of the State Government. 90 people selected as master trainers from the districts participated in the training program organized at Government Guest House, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram on 30-31 August 2024.

The District Level Master Training Groups will consist of six persons namely District Programme Manager, 2 Block Co-ordinators each and Micro Enterprise Consultants and staff from Kudumbashree Fulfillment Centres to assist entrepreneurs. They will provide training to Micro Enterprise Consultants and Block Co-ordinators in their respective districts. Those who have received this training will also provide training to entrepreneurs at the field level.

Training was given on various topics such as methods of marketing products, courier packaging, shipping, logistics, handling of returned products etc on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) and Kudumbashree's Pocketmart. Representatives of Time Co Training Agency, ONDC, Ship Rocket, Pocketmart and Shri. A.S. Sreekanth, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree, Shri, Muhammed Shan S.S, State Programme Manager, Kudumbashree, Shri. Shaiju R.S, State Assistant Programme Manager, Ms. Aswathi L, State Assistant Programme Manager and Ms. Anjima Surendran, State Assistant Programme Manager gave leadership to the training.

Along with the contribution of Rs. 20 crores to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund, Kudumbashree is doing as many exemplary actions for the comprehensive rehabilitation of Mundakkai & Chooralmala in Wayanad. As part of the rehabilitation activities, Kudumbashree has completed the family survey of all the families in the three wards as per the instructions of the District Administration. Based on this, the activities related to the preparation of the micro plan required for the families are progressing rapidly.

A total of Rs.7,22,500 (Rupees Seven Lakh Twenty Two Thousand Five Hundred Only) has been provided under Kudumbashree Jeevan Deepam Insurance to the heirs of the nine NHG members who died in the disaster. This will be very helpful for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Recommendations have also been given to the State Level Bankers Committee for writing off the bank loans of the deceased.

A job fair was organized under the leadership of Wayanad District Administration and Kudumbashree for the job seekers in the disaster-affected areas and currently 59 people have been provided employment. A final list of 127 people was also prepared. The aim is to provide them with suitable employment as soon as possible. A Community Mentoring System has also been started. As a part of this, the services of 20 Community Mentors have also been ensured as one mentor for 50 families.

Kudumbashree members led the help desks that was started in the relief camps under the leadership of the Government the very next day after the disaster. In addition, food distribution to those staying in the camps, cleaning of the camps under the leadership of Harithakarmasena, Kudumbashree members and Counseling under the leadership of Community Counselors were also undertaken and implemented. In this way, Kudumbashree, the model institution of women's empowerment is implementing many precautionary measures in disaster areas to provide shade for the survivors.

Kudumbashree State Level Onam Marketing Fair at Pathanamthitta will provide an opportunity for everyone to color this Onam with various products of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. The logo of the fair was released by Ms. Veena George, Minister for Health and Woman and Child Development, Government of Kerala at Pathanamthitta Collectorate on 31 August 2024. The fair will begin at Private Bus Stand, Pathanamthitta on 10 September 2024. The fair will conclude on 14 September 2024.

An expert panel selected the winning logo from 22 entries received in a logo design competition organized for the public. The logo was designed by Shri. Anish Vasudevan, a native of Adoor. The prize for Anish will be distributed at the fair. For this Onam, Kudumbashree will organize around 2000 Onam marketing fairs at District and State levels.

Shri, Mathew T Thomas, MLA, Thiruvalla Constituency, Shri. Jiji Mathew, Chairman, District Panchayat Welfare Standing Committee, Ms. Jyothi B, ADM, Ms. Maya M, District Planning Officer, Ms. Aadila S, District Mission Co-ordinator,  Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission, Ms. Bindu Rekha K, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Pathanamthitta District Mission also participated in the function.

The consortium formed in Thrissur as part of the Branding Project to make powder products including curry powders produced by Kudumbashree entrepreneurs available in the public market under one brand has opened its own office. Adv. K. Rajan, Minister for Revenue and Housing, Government of Kerala inaugurated the new office at Vanitha Handwork Centre at Poochetty of Nadathara Panchayath, Thrissur during the function organized on 27 August 2024.

The 'Branding Project' is to unify the Kudumbashree enterprises producing various products like chili powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, sambar powder, chicken masala, fish masala, meat masala, garam masala, steamed puttu powder, wheat flour and appam powder and make them available in the public market under the brand 'Kudumbashree' in the same quality and packaging. Branding was done in Kannur district on a pilot basis in the financial year 2019-20. Later, the scheme was extended to the districts of Malappuram, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kollam and Pathanamthitta.

Consortiums are formed comprising the selected units at the district level and through those consortium the branding activities of the products prepared by the entrepreneurs are coordinated in a decentralized manner. This consortium is responsible for the marketing of branded products and procurement of raw materials. 34 people from 15 units selected in Thrissur district are members of the consortium.

Ms. Sreevidya Rajesh, President, Nadathara Grama Panchayath presided over the function. Adv. Rajith P.R, Vice President, Shri. Abhilash P.K, Chairman, Welfare Standing Committee, Shri. Ashok Kumar MS, Shri. Siju Kumar. A and Ms. Jeeja Jayan, Chairperson, Nadathara CDS conveyed their greetings. Shri. K. Radhakrishnan, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission welcomed the gathering and Ms. Omana K.N, President, Curry Powder Consortium delivered the vote of thanks.

Kudumbashree NHG & Auxiliary Group members have collected Rs. 20,07,05,682 in the first phase of the 'Njangalumundu Campaign' to help Wayanad, which was hit by landslides. Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala received the amount from Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self-Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department during the function held at Chief Minister's Chamber on 29 August 2024. 

Rs. 20,05,00,682 was collected by Kudumbashree NHG members and Auxiliary Group members and  Rs. 2,05,000 was collected by various training agencies under Kudumbashree which altogether made Rs. 20,07,05,682. Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph IAS, Principal Secretary, Local Self Government Department, Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Former Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Ms. A Geetha, Designated Executive Director, Kudumbashree, Ms. K.S. Bindu, Director, Kudumbashree, Shri. Nafih Muhammed, Public Relations Officer, Kudumbashree, Shri. Nishad C.C, State Programme Manager, Shri. Abdul Manaf, Accountant, Ms. Chaithanya G, Communication Specialist and other officials were also present at the function.

Kudumbashree 'Fresh Bites' Project was launched. Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department, Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala performed the State-Level Inauguration and Product Launch of the Kudumbashree Fresh Bites during the function held at Wedding Village, Civil Line, Thrissur on 26 August 2024. Adv. K. Rajan, Minister for Revenue and Housing, Government of Kerala presided over the function.

The LSGD Minister said that the 'Fresh Bites' Project implemented by Kudumbashree will help the NHG women to achieve economic prosperity. Kudumbashree's strength is their innate talent or gift in cooking flavorsome food. Kudumbashree is successfully implementing various programmes such as Janakeeya Hotel, Premium Cafe, Lunch Bell Project etc. This Onam, Kudumbashree's Fresh Bites Branded Chips and Sarkaravaratti (jaggery coated banana chips) will reach all over Kerala. The product has a branding and reasonable price that can compete with any corporate. Vegetable Farming is being done in 12000 acres aiming the onam market.  Through this, more than three lakh women farmers are getting livelihood. And floriculture is also done in1500 hectares of land. The entrepreneurs running the Janakeeya Hotels have been provided with an average subsidy of Rs 16 lakhs per Janakeeya Hotel apart from providing rice at subsidized rates, as well as water, electricity and building. Significant interventions are being made to help entrepreneurs. 

Through the K-LIFT (Kudumbashree Livelihood Initiative for Transformation) Project to provide employment to women, three lakh people will be provided livelihood within the next one year. Out of this 70,000 people have already got employment. It was Kudumbashree that gave the common women the opportunity to get employment and income, to stand on their own feet and live with self-respect.

As part of strengthening the rehabilitation activities in Wayanad, the micro plan required for each family is being prepared under the leadership of Kudumbashree. Also, the amount collected from Kudumbashree members across the state will be handed over to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) on 29 August 2024. The Minister said that when Kerala becomes an example for the world for complete rehabilitation, it will have the stamp of Kudumbashree and clarified that Kudumbashree is a movement that changed the destiny of women's lives in Kerala.

In his presidential address, Adv. K. Rajan, Minister for Revenue and Housing, Government of Kerala said that it is very gratifying that Kudumbashree's branded chips and sarkaravaratti will reach every family during Onam through the respective clusters and it is a matter of pride that many women will get employment through it.

Shri. M. Krishna Das, Chairman, Guruvayoor Municipality and Chairman, Chamber Association, handed over Rs. 25 lakhs Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Excise Department and Parliamentary Affairs Department, Government of Kerala, as a contribution of Guruvayoor Municipality to Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. The Minister felicitated Shri. Siju Rajan, Co-founder of Team Brandism, who designed the cover of Fresh Bites.

Shri. Sreekanth A.S, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree explained the project. Shri. V. S Prince, President, Thrissur District Panchayath was the Chief Guest of the function. Shri. Basanth Lal S, President, Grama Panchayath Association, Ms. Satyabhama Vijayan, Chairperson, Thrissur Corporation 1 CDS, Ms. Rejula Krishna Kumar, Chairperson, Thrissur Corporation 2 CDS, Ms. Omana K. N, President, Curry Powder Consortium and Ms. Smitha Sathyadev, President, Kudumbashree Food Processing and Marketing Cluster gave away their felicitations. 

Ms. Rejeena T.M, District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission welcomed the gathering and Dr. Shanavas, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree delivered the vote of thanks. Assistant District Mission Co-ordinators, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, Block Co-ordinators and Accountants participated in the programme.

Through 'Happy Kerala - Happiness Centre' Project, Kudumbashree aims to make every family a centre of happiness by ensuring the overall well-being and upliftment of every individual in the society. By raising the happiness index of families in this way, the state can advance in the happiness index. This project is being implemented in connection with the FNHW (Food Nutrition Health and WASH) activities being implemented by Kudumbashree. Shri. Jafar Malik IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree launched the logo of the 'Happy Keralam-Happiness Centre' Project during the function held at Kudumbashree State Mission, Thiruvananthapuram on 24 August 2024.

Ms. K.S. Bindu, Director, Kudumbashree, Ms. M. Geetha, Chief Finance Officer, Kudumbashree. Shri. Nafih Muhammed, Public Relations Officer,  Dr. B Sreejith, Srikanth AS, Megha Mary Koshy, Programme Officers and Shri. Naveen C, Chief Operating Officer also became part of the programme.