The 12th National Saras Mela organized under the auspices of Kudumbashree has begun at the Kozhikode Beach. The official inauguration of this year's second National Saras Mela and the 'Ente Keralam' exhibition and marketing fair organized at the same venue in connection with the 4th anniversary of the state government will be performed by Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister, Government of Kerala on 3 May 2025. This is the first time that the National Saras Mela is being hosted in Kozhikode. The Mela will continue till 13 May 2025. Entry to the fair is completely free.

The 64,000 square feet fully air-conditioned pavilion will feature 250 product stalls selling handicrafts, textiles and food products prepared by rural entrepreneurs from various states of the country, and an India Food Court with 50 stalls, a confluence of unique flavors from 17 states including Kerala, for visitors. There are 60 product stalls from other states. Kudumbashree has prepared an opportunity for those who cannot travel outside Kerala to get to know and enjoy the unique products and food resources of other states through the National Saras Mela.

Kudumbashree members and others will be part of the procession leading up to the inauguration of the fair. Folk art forms and floats may be included in the procession. Art and cultural programmes led by artistic talents like Sooraj Santhosh, Shahabaz Aman, Sithara Krishnakumar, Mridula Warrier, and Atul Narukara, seminars by various departments, yoga, gymnastics, and Kalarippayattu exhibitions will be staged on the main stage.

319 Kudumbashree CDSs in the state have been given Model CDS status. The Model CDSs were identified on the basis of various criteria such as good governance, financial sustainability, excellence in Kudumbashree project implementation, and activities in the livelihood sector. Currently, there are 1070 CDSs under Kudumbashree. The aim is to elevate all CDSs to Model CDS status in the upcoming years.

There are Area Development Societies or ADSs at the ward level of local bodies in Kerala, by including NHGs. Community Development Societies or CDSs are a system formed by including ADSs in each panchayat and municipality. At present, their activities are carried out using government funds. The aim of forming model CDSs is to enable CDSs to achieve self-sufficiency, sustainability and development without the financial support of the central and state governments. For this, the amount received as interest from various loan schemes provided to NHGs through CDSs will be found as the capital required for their own development activities.

The general administration of the CDS and the efficiency in effectively delivering the things implemented through Kudumbashree to the grassroots are also important. Social inclusion is also of utmost importance. People from all sections should be brought under the Kudumbashree system. Activities to ensure social security by bringing people from special categories such as the destitute, the homeless, the marginalized and others under the umbrella of Kudumbashree should also be carried out through the CDS. Ensuring better livelihood and income generation for the members of the NHG is also of great importance. For this, various jobs that can be done according to local possibilities and through various income-generating projects implemented through Kudumbashree should be utilized for the women of the NHG.

As part of upgrading the existing CDSs to Model CDSs, training was provided to the members of the CDS Governing Body in three phases. The training was given to identify the areas that need development in their panchayat, determine their priorities and prepare a special document called a 'Vision Document'. Based on this, each CDS has prepared its Annual Action Plan and submitted it to the respective local bodies. A Separate Business Plan has also been prepared under the leadership of each CDS to understand the funds required and integration possibilities to achieve the development goals.

The harvest of 'Noorang', the centre for the conservation of more than 180 heritage tuber crops and diversity as part of  Thirunelly Tribal Comprehensive Development Project in Wayanad was held in a festive mode.  'Noorang', the heritage tuber conservation centre  has been set up in Irumpupalam village as part of the Thirunelly Tribal Comprehensive Development Project implemented by Kudumbashree in Wayanad.

About ten women, members of three Kudumbashree farming groups in the village, are cultivating here. This is the fourth year of cultivation by expanding the nutritious 'noora', 'nara', small tubers and other varieties of tubers of the indigenous people. The project aims to maintain the food culture of the indigenous people and to instill a healthy new generation through such knowledge.

The planting festival organized on 29 April 2025 was inaugurated by  P. V. Balakrishnan, President, Thirunelly Panchayat. Balasubramanian P.K., District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission presided over the function. Soumini. P, Chairperson, Thirunelly CDS, Vimala V. M, Member, Block Panchayat, Rukhiya Zainuddin, Chairman, Development Affairs Standing Committee, Ameen, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Pushpa, Prema, Sumathi, CDS Sub-committee members and Mohanan, Head of the Hamlet spoke at the function. Sai Krishnan, Co-ordinator, Thirunelly Special Project, Animators, Bridge Course Mentors, residents of the hamlet and others participated in the programme.

Kudumbashree has led 3,321 NHGs towards self-sufficiency in the Scheduled Tribes sector in the state. This achievement is achieved by carrying out many activities that enable the NHGs to carry out all activities related to themselves and ensure their own livelihood. The aim is to empower the disadvantaged NHGs in this sector socially and economically by providing financial support and skill training to start livelihood initiatives, including in the agricultural-micro enterprise sector. The activities are carried out in collaboration with local self-government institutions.

Kudumbashree selected 50 percent backward and relatively weak NHGs in various CDSs in the Scheduled Tribes region to achieve self-sufficiency. As part of strengthening NHG activities, various financial supports such as Rs. 15,000 as Corpus Fund and Rs. 15,000 as Revolving Fund were provided to each NHG. In addition, training was provided to NHG members to prepare business plans for starting livelihood enterprises. In the last 9 years, 3,127 farmers groups have been formed in this region. 11,442 members have been provided assistance in livelihood activities related to animal husbandry. In addition, 1196 enterprises have been started. Special training has been provided to the members of selected NHGs under the leadership of Kudumbashree on accounting related to NHG activities, benefits provided by various departments, various livelihood schemes implemented through Kudumbashree, benefits available through Kudumbashree, job skills training and services.

Another achievement was that grading and auditing were conducted as part of improving the performance of NHGs. In addition, financial literacy including bank transactions, efficient use of funds, and availability of linkage loans were also provided to NHGs. The animators from this sector are also responsible for accurately evaluating all activities of the self-sufficient NHGs, including weekly investments, bank linkage loan repayments, and recording them in the Kudumbashree Management Information System.

The Micro Enterprise Development Scheme implemented in the state through Kudumbashree to support Kudumbashree members and enterprises working in the non-agricultural sector has been a success. The objective of the scheme was to form 2,000 enterprises in ten selected blocks within one and a half years. The scheme was completed by forming 2,273 enterprises, including 358 group enterprises and 1,915 individual enterprises, within the period. Through this, the project also helped 3,357 women find their own employment.

The Micro Enterprise Development Scheme was implemented as part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) implemented in the state through Kudumbashree. As part of this, ten Micro Enterprise Consultants were selected in each block for enterprise formation activities. Through them, women interested in starting enterprises in the self-employment sector were identified and various job skill training and financial support were provided. NRLM funds of Rs. 20 lakhs were also provided to each block selected for the project activities.

Kudumbashree entrepreneurs earned Rs. 104.35 crores by organizing National Saras Melas, one of the main platforms for marketing the products of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs, in Kerala for the last nine years. Out of this, Rs. 17.57 crores were earned from the most recent Saras Mela organized in Chengannur. A turnover of Rs. 22 crores have also been achieved by participating in Saras Melas organized in other states. Entrepreneurs earned a total of Rs. 126.35 crores through Saras Melas from Kerala and various states.

Kudumbashree aims to increase the income of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs by organizing local and national level marketing fairs, monthly markets, Onam, Vishu and Ramzan marketing fairs. As part of this, 10,815 monthly markets, 916 local district level trade fairs, 426 food fairs and 6,859 Onam marketing fairs were organized in the last nine years. Through this, a turnover of Rs. 185.86 crores were also obtained. In addition to traditional marketing methods, Kudumbashree is also implementing innovative marketing methods that suit the modern market. The aim is to increase the income of entrepreneurs. As part of this, Kudumbashree is also active in the online marketing sector such as Nano Markets, Marketing Kiosks, and Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and ONDC.

Kudumbashree is in the animal husbandry sector with 401 Producer Groups to support farmers. The aim is to provide various support and incentives required for primary procurement and value addition of the products produced by farmers through producer groups. Producer groups will help farmers to store and market their produce through a public system and to collectively purchase feed, seeds, fertilizers, etc. required for farming at a profit. Collective activities will be carried out in the areas of market discovery, use of new technology and resources. This will help in improving livelihoods.

Currently, there are 3131 women farmers in 401 producer groups in the animal husbandry sector under Kudumbashree. These groups will mainly carry out activities that will provide better marketing for farmers' produce and thereby sustainable income. As part of this, members will be identified from CDS who will market their products on a self-employment basis, train them and link them to producer groups. Once marketing becomes efficient, productivity and income will increase.                              
   
As part of the procurement of products, Rs. 10,000 is provided as working capital to each producer group for the necessary funds to provide prices to farmers, marketing, rent, etc. As of now, Rs. 2.3 crores has been provided to 401 groups in this regard. Groups can be provided a maximum of Rs. 1 lakh as working capital according to their business plan. In addition, Rs. 1.5 lakhs will be provided for the development of infrastructure of producer groups. Rs. 1.7 crores has been made available to 401 groups in this regard. The project is being implemented through the National Rural Livelihood Mission Scheme.

20 people from the Koraga Scheduled Tribes in Kasaragod district are now happy that their dream has come true. Their wish to learn drone flying was fulfilled by the Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission. The drone flying training was organized in collaboration with ASAP Skill Park as part of the Koraga Special Project implemented in the district by Kudumbashree. This is the first time that Kudumbashree is organizing drone flying training in the indigenous area.

The 16-day training programme began on 19 April 2025. Kudumbashree is providing all the food and travel allowance for the trainees. Those who successfully complete the training will also be provided with support to get a job in this sector. The training programme was inaugurated by C.H.

Iqbal, District Mission Co-ordinator (i/c),  Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission. The programme was chaired by Kishore Kumar, Assistant District Mission Co-ordinator, Kudumbashree Kasaragod District Mission. Sanal and Prajith, Co-ordinators, ASAP explained the project. Akhil, Co-ordinator, ASAP Skill Park Centre welcomed the participants and Yaduraj, Co-ordinator, Koraga Special Project  proposed the vote of thanks

With the aim of providing free vocational skill training and employment to the youth in rural areas, the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) scheme implemented in the state through Kudumbashree has so far provided employment to 45,341 youths. 621 people have also found employment abroad. Till date, 77,965 people have completed training through the scheme.
                    
The beneficiaries of the scheme are young men and women between the ages of 18-35 in rural areas. Currently, more than 100 attractive new generation courses are being conducted in 33 sectors. The free provision of study materials, uniforms and hostel facilities to those selected as beneficiaries of the scheme and the guaranteed employment are attracting many people to the scheme.

Through the DDU-GKY scheme, 932 beneficiaries of the 'Ashraya' scheme, who are members of poor families, were provided with job training and 457 were provided with jobs. In addition, 19,356 people belonging to the Scheduled Castes were provided with training and 9,544 people were provided with jobs. 4,947 people belonging to the Scheduled Tribes were trained and out of them 2,252 people were also provided with jobs.

Under the DDU-GKY scheme, skill training is being provided to the youth of the coastal region in courses related to the port sector. For this, the 'Sagarmala' Scheme is also being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports. Through this scheme, 269 people have completed the training and 159 people have got employment.

As part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission implemented in the state through Kudumbashree, Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes have been established in 14 districts in collaboration with leading banks. In the last 9 years, 92,823 beneficiaries and 61,842 people belonging to the BPL category in rural areas have been trained in 3,403 batches through the lead banks in charge of this. Self-employment training has been provided. Out of this, 78,832 people have been provided employment in the self-employment and wage-based employment sectors and 74,555 people have been provided employment in the self-employment sector alone.

In Kerala, many people have also been provided employment through the 'Unnathi' Scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development, which is jointly implemented by Kudumbashree and the Employment Guarantee Mission.

The Kudumbashree State Level Award Selection Workshop, which began on 21 April 2025 at KILA Headquarters, Mulangunnathukavu Thrissur, has concluded. Presentations of the contestants for the primary election were organized in front of the sub-committees formed on a topic basis until 24 April 2025. The final selection was held on 25 April 2025.

The final selection was conducted by a panel comprising P.K. Sainaba, Governing Body Member, Kudumbashree, T.V. Anupama IAS, Special Secretary, Local Self-Government Department, Government of Kerala, H. Dineshan IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree and Syam Kumar K.U, Programme Officer, Kudumbashree. The awards will be distributed on Kudumbashree Day, 17 May 2025.

Awards will be given in a total of 17 categories. Awards will be given for Best NHG, ADS, Ooru Samithi, Enterprise Group, Entrepreneur, BUDS Institution, Gender Resource Centre, Auxiliary Group, Auxiliary Enterprise, Gender Help Desk, District that has conducted public relations activities, Best District Mission, as well as Best CDS (Convergence Activities, Unique Activities, Administration - Microfinance Activities), Best CDS (Agriculture Sector, Animal Husbandry), Best CDS (Social Development, Gender), Best CDS (Tribal Activities), Best CDS (Micro Enterprise, DDU-GKY, K-DISC).