District : Thrissur

Block Panchayath : Cherpu

Grama Panchayath : Cherpu

Jlg Group : Parvathi.

Cherpu, one of the beautiful places which has a bright tradition of agro lifestyle and tradition of Thrissur district. If we take a walk through the area, we can see the remnants of the great framing tradition which was evident through the people who holds it still. OmanaKuttamon, one of such personality who was such a proud farmer grows and starts her farmer career from Kudumbashree. She joined Kudumbashree in 2002 and later started their JLG named Parvathi. In the initial stage they did paddy and banana. The result was not that much supportive. When her family stays strong behind her as a primary support, they decided to do keep the steps forward by increasing the area of cultivation. And that confidence and perseverance paid, that time there is a good return which supports her needs.

This also made them to invest more by stepping in as her own on a leased land besides JLG Group. From those returns she made her own house and bought 107 cent paddy field and essential equipment’s. She is getting good support from Kudumbashree in forms of training and financial assistance. The training from the agricultural department and Kudumbashree is behind the success of my farming skills, she recalls. Her dedication is awarded by the Cherpu Krishibhavan by nominating her as best banana farmer of the Gram panchayath. The confidence gained from this made her to lease an acre of barren land and started vegetable cultivation. Also she had 6 acre of paddy and 2000 banana plantation. Now she is a full time farmer and master farmer of Kudumbashree, Cherpu.

District : Kannur

Grama Panchayath : Pattuvam

Jlg Group : Katirmani

No of Members : 5

Name of Members : Yesodha.P, Leela.M, Omana K.V, Rohini.P, Padmavathy.K.V

Pattuvam grama panchayat of Kannur district in shining in the success glory of Kathirmani JLG. The journey began with the formation of a collective farming group named ‘Katirmani’(KNR 13/08/10). The five member group (Yesodha P (president), Leela M (secretary), Omana K. V, Rohini P and Padhmavathi K. V) has proved that determination, will power and group strength bears the fruit of success. Their interest in farming is evident from kitchen gardens which they have raised in homesteads to support family demands. The lack of expert advice and financial support didn’t change their mindset, it only gave the power to fight and win.

By registering as a collective farming group in kudumbashree they began a new venture which made them self sustainable. The training programmes and interest subsidy given by MKSP scheme has encouraged the group to expand the area under cultivation from 25 cents to 500 cents. The group is mainly engaged in Kaipad cultivation of rice. Orkayama, kathir and ezhome-1 are the cultivated varieties. Rice is raised in 5.5 acres of arable lease hold. Vegetables nemly cucumber, pumpkin, amaranth, okra are cultivated in summer rice fallows.

All the field operations starting right from land preparation to harvest is done by group members collectively. This helps in developing a sister hood relationship among the members. The active participation from the members of employment guarantee programme (MNREGA) helped a lot in primary tillage operations and land levelling.

The benefit from group farming made the members self sustainable and supported them in meeting the additional demand for education and marriage of their children. The demand for rice and vegetables are met from own farming and they are leading a happy, healthy life. The sale of farm outputs are made in kudumbashree outlets, thus ensuring a stable market without out any steep price fluctuations.

The Kathirmani group is availing area incentive for the past 4 years and has become an ideal model for utilisation of arable waste lands. One among the five members of kathirmani JLG was selected as master farmer. Thus the group has expanded their service not only as a producer and supplier of fresh farm outputs, but also as a provider of expert advice to the young budding farming community.

On an average, 3.5 tonnes of rice grain is harvested from 4.5 acres of wetland. After meeting the family requirement, the marketable surplus is sailed through kudumbashree outlets. From 1acre of vegetable cultivation the group is reaping 2.5 ql of cucumber, 2 ql. Of pumpkin, amaranth and okra. As apart of experimentalisation pavizham and gandhakashala varieties of rice were also cultivated.

The kathirmani JLG was selected as the second best JLG in Kannur district during 2013-14. In 2014-15 they grabbed first prize for best JLG in district and was honoured in the annual meet of Kudumbashree mission held at Malappuram.

As a part of MKSP scheme in Thaliparamba block of Kannur ditrict, a mobilisation camp was conducted at ward level . This has resulted in increasing the number of JLG to 945 and number of NHG members to4720. For the smooth functioning of JLG & NHG, 189 MFs were identified. Monthly meetings were conducted at FFC so as to update the scheme and to take necessary time bound action. Four master farmers were identified to form JEVA team (JLG E- Valuation Agent) and trainings were given by district mission about MKSP scheme and its functioning.

Special training and awareness sessions given to scheduled tribe colonies in 4 CDS has finally resulted in formation of 125 ST JLGs. They are now actively undertaking cultivation of upland rice, tapioca, amorphophallus and colocasia in barren land.

A two day training on “Use of weed cutter and its repairing” was conducted by district mission on demand of master farmers. This training has helped them in getting familiarised with the machine and many of them make their living from operating weed cutter.

District: Idukki

Name of JLG: Vandanam JLG

President : Valsamma Shaji

Secretary : Toncy benoy, Sheela Radhakrishnan,Reji Sunil

Small farmers of Idukki face economic, technical & social as well as climatic challenges. When farmers identified their common needs and started to help themselves they formed JLG. Vandhana JLG started their farming in September 2009 .Initially they started tapioca farming and they got a good return from it, which is nearly 20 quintal tapioca. Apart from tapioca farming they also cultivate vegetables, banana, tubers etc. All the four members in the JLG has cow, goat so they could use animal waste as fertiliser and they follow an organic farming system. Apart from farming they started pickle making and koonappodi production.

They got an initial investment from Union bank as loan and they repaid it on correct time. Till they did not face any loss in their farming. Now they got a financial assistance from Mankulam Agriculture Department for building a rain shelter and its work is on progress. In 2013 they got the best JLG award from Kudumbashree. Even in good productivity years, they undergo marketing hassles, Kudumbashree weekly markets abled them to earn good profits under these circumstances. Now these women are self sufficient to handle the expenditure of family. Other major secrets of their success are the efficient use of inputs like land and water and science based approach in farm layout.

District :Kasaragod

CDS :Chemmanad

Name of JLG :Aruthuruthi

NO. :13/03/03

Crops : Paddy, Vegetables

Area : 3 ACRES

Started in : 2011

Name of members: Soorya, Saraswathi, Janaki, Sharada

It is our pleasure to present the success story of the four members JLG formed in 2011.They used to cultivate paddy and vegetables in 3 acres of leased land. They continued their cultivation and at present their success is a model for each and every farmers of the entire state as well as all the JLG.

They cultivate one crop paddy, other vegetables, and pulses in entire three acres of land. During every harvesting they get minimum of 525para (7300 kg) of paddy, 200kg of other vegetables and 50 kg of pulses.Their net profit in last season was around 1lakh. It is their profit after subtracting their expenses incurred to organic fertilizers, labours, irrigation and their own wages.These farmers using only organic fertilizers and organic pesticides and the product is very tasty and very good for health.

The rice has been marketed as boiled and white rice in various centers such as Kudumbashree chantha and local shops. Their rice have good demand in outside kasaragod as “Naadan Ari”.

As it is organic, people come in huge numbers,for the rice.The boiled rice is selling at rupees 100/kg, and white rice rupees90/kg and also pulses (cowpea)selling at rupees100/kg.

With the paddy,the paddy straw is got huge demand and high price in market as cattle feed which is also good for cattle.

They started cultivation by availing loan for Rs.2 lakhs from Canara bank. The Kudumbashree district mission kasaragod, is providing incentives yearly. These four farmers attend all the training programmes and classes conducted by Kudumbashree district mission.

Almost all the activities such as preparing the land, irrigation, cultivation, harvesting, boiling the paddy, packing the rice and all other activities are done by these four farmers.Their hard work,sincerity and positive attitude towards organic agriculture are flowering their land.

District: Ernakulam

Panchayath: Kalady

Name of the Group : Karuna

Karuna joint liability group is one of the best groups in Kalady grama panchayath. The attitude and passion for agriculture are the main reasons for their Success. This group is led by Smt. Lekha Valsan, a real woman farmer she is very passionate on agriculture and also a good team leader. This group consists of 5 members and formed the group in the year of 2011.

They are mainly cultivated paddy in 5 acres .They have two season crops. apart from that tapioca, banana, pea, turmeric etc are also cultivated. A total area of around 8.5 acres are cultivated by Karuna JLG. They have taken an agriculture loan from Canara Bank. Interest subsidy and farming incentives were also get to this group.

The group has the inspiration of others especially those who undertaking group activities, because these members were financially better families and they considering this group activity made social commitment and inspiration to others. Collective farming gave great pleasure to them. Over the time more groups has formed in the panchayath for collective farming through Kudumbashree. They were the master farmers to train and motivate those group before the concept of master farmer arise. Each members of the group are getting the greatest support and encouragement from their families panchayath and kudumbasree .

By considering their attitude toward work, an award is given by Panchayath & Kudumbashree. They are the members of Kudumbashree animal husbandry activities also.

District : Kozhikode

Name of JLG : Mantharam

Total No. of Members : 4

Name of members : P.K Bindhu, N. Rama, M. Sarojini, Kairali.

Block : Kozhikode

Total area of cultivation: 5.5 acres

Mantharam jlg is registered under Kudumbashree Community Development Society of Ramanattukara municipality 11th ward in Kozhikode block in 2010. The joint liability group Mantharam grows banana, rice and vegetables in their 5.5 acres of land. All the crops are being grown using organic fertilizers and biopesticides. With 3 cows, 1 biogas plant and plenty of natural products from the field the farmers faces no difficulty in sourcing the inputs. All the crops are grown organically which have a good demand in the market. They cultivate nendran banana in 3 acres of land, rice in 2 acres, and vegetables in 50 cents. They used cultivate vegetables in all the seasons including cool season crops like cabbage and cauliflower. In case of rice, they are cultivating traditional varieties in two seasons every year. They are planning to shift to high yielding variety cultivation from next virippu season onwards. The reason for their success from farming is everything is sources from their place itself and do not depend on external input for crops. Secondly they markets the agricultural produces themselves and entire family is involved in the work so they do not spend anything extra on laboures.

Support from Kudumbashree:

This group is a beneficiary of Onam 2018-nendran banana cultivation, Bhakshya suraksha bhavanam etc. Kudumbashree District mission has sanctioned and disbursed area incentive and interest subsidy eligible to them which helps them to improve the farming activities.

Awards received:

• Ramanattukara Krishibhavan- Best JLG award - in 2015

District: Alappuzha

Block: Pattanakkad

Panchayat: Ezhupunna

Name of JLG: Krishna JLG

Number of members: 6

Ezhupunna village is in Pattanakad block which is loacted in the northern side of Alappuzha district, this village is having a very proud history. Sruthi the NHG in Ezhupunna was the stepping stone of five women innovative farmers.

We were only just being a part of Kudumbasree NHG until 2010. But by understanding the value of agriculture after attending many training sessions we decided to form a JLG. We the six members, Preethy Jyothis, Leela Bhaskaran, Rakthamma Vijayan, Renuka Vasudean, Chinnama George and Rosamma Thomas of Sruthi NHG hence formed as Krishna JLG.

We began cultivation in one acre of land. The land we have was barren but our strong determination to gain success we made the land fruitful through our hardwork. We first cultivated vegetables like ladisfinger, cowpea, snake gourd etc.. Through the great co-ordination between the members we were able to get more yield than we expected. This result gave us more strength and inspiration to farm more and gain more.

It is the era of innovative farming so we also directed our path to such innovative ideas. We first thought of constructing a polyhouse but the intial cost of setting up of such construction was very huge for we starters. So hence we decided to move on with rainshelter.

Kudumbasree FFC helped us to make our dream come true. We shared our concept of setting up of rainshelter with them and with their help we build a rainshelter in five cents. We got financial support from banks and Krishibhavans. In the rainshelter we first tried ladiesfinger that was huge success and next we tried cowpea and next snake gourd and that goes on....

District: Kottayam

Panchayat: Pampady

JLG:Thejas

I am PriyaJai from Pampady Gramapanchayat. I am a member of ThejasKudumbashree. We have a JLG named Newtech. I have started my project unexpectedly. My first project was layer hen farming and now I am working on aquaponics.

I thought of going to project when I know about the "Panchayatpanchavatsarapadhathi". I gave the application for grow bag project, layer hen and terrace farming. I began with terrace farming in these grow bags and I have use biogas slurry as the fertilizer.

Panchayath has given me 6 day old chicks from Manarcadu hatchery. I wanted to build a cage to grow them. So I tried to get more information through google of high-tech hen cage. I also wanted to work upon waste management system. The waste is transferred to the biogas plant and the biogas needed for the house for cooking gas.

A 2 and 3 layer cage was made with an aluminium tray attached to each layer. The waste will be added to the stagnated water in the tray and a pipe connection is given in such a way that when the tap is open, this waste will go to our biogas plant.

Mr.Korasir (Pampady krishibhavan) andMr.Kuriakosesir (Veterinary doctor, Kooroppada)visited my home. They became very happy and encouraged this project. Dr Kuriakose sir said about my success project to Aneesh(MalayalaManorama). He also came to see my poultry cage and he published a feature in MalayalaManorama. After that many people interested this and visited to see my poultry cage. I have recieved the award for"Innovative farming"from Pampady Krishibhavan.

BV380 hens are also grown. It is the best among the layer hen farming. I am able to sell 50 to 60 eggs per day.

I was interested in aquaponic, so I thought of doing that. So once this was first time I am doing this, I took help from Mr.Prasannakumar sir and Mr.Rajan sir(Kodungoor). They have completed the training in aquaponics.

I have thought of taking the loan as the project will cost around Rs.2,00,000.Pampady CDS chairperson Sindu and block co-ordinaterTeena helped me to get JLG loan easily.

We made aquaponic pond and grow bed in successful way. Now we are getting spinach,ladies finger,chilly,tomato,cucumber,mint leaves etc. Along with this Tilapia fish is growing well in the pond. I feel so happy to see this and many people are coming to see our aquaponics. People get surprise seeing the vegetables grown in baby metals without soil. Because of the water circulating system water is not wasted.

I wish to all kudumbasree to do these projects and make a grant success in this project. It is very important to start aquaponics in every places like "CheraipallipuramGramam project". Thanks to all people who helped me in this project.

District : Palakkad

Block : Ottappalam

Panchayat : Vaniyamkulam

JLG : Haritham

Activities : Farming, Food Processing, Organic Fertilizer Processing, Apiculture and Animal Husbandry.

Crops : Vegetable and Fish

How can we reach the success with minimum resources? Team Haritham will give you the right answer. They are the best models for how to become a good farmers. Formed a JLG unit in 2010, started cultivation in 48 cents. Ivy guard tried as first crop. It was a success. They started to attend more classes and training on agriculture conducted by Kudumbashree and Department of Agriculture. The effort was hardworking and committed. They developed their cultivation land to 12 acres, as lease. Today, the effort is broader than word with cultivation of almost every vegetables which needed by the surroundings.

The 12 acres of 12th ward in VaniyamkulamGrama Panchayat, possessed by team Haritham, is rich by Bitter Guard, Beans, Cucumber, Ash Guard, Pumpkin, Ladies Finger, and Ivy Guard etc… Now the pond, situated in their cultivation land, live with fishes. Started Apiculture and rearing of rabbits. They running food processing unit and organic fertilizer units in this land.

Haritham JLG is affiliated to the Vaniyamkulam CDS, in Ottappalam block. This JLG has four members. Among them Mrs. Mercy George performs as the leader. Anitha, Usha and Sreemathi are other members of Haritham. Mrs. Mercy George was the Best Master farmer from Palakkad. She is incredible in the fields on day to day activities. She is more conscious to learn new trends in agricultural sector, and to try it on their cultivation field as well. She is one of the active members of JEVA team Palakkad. Regular participant of classes conducted by Kudumbashree and Krishibhavan on agriculture.

All the harvest supplies to public through VFPCK Stall and Weekly Markets of Kudumbashree. The first time harvest of Fish, was on 2017 November 10th. They have harvested fishes like Katla, Grasshopper, Johu, Mrigaya and Nutter, which is worth at least 300 rupees per kilogram in public market. It was a successful attempt and they are interest to do more with fish farming. Apiculture is doing successfully and it is yet to harvest. In the field of animal husbandry, the auspices and sale of rabbits is doing successfully.

An all-round effort, to perform by a JLG is practices by Haritham JLG. They manufacturing organic fertilizers and insecticides for their own use, and performing as prime suppliers for Eco Shop. They have taken linkage loan from Co-operative bank and got interest subsidy and incentives from Kudumbashree. This was the capital for their initiatives. Motivation from Kudumbashree official help them to move towards the direction of success.

We cannot mark a full stop for their story, because it’s a sempiternal effort by four lady heroes. They got the first achievement as the best farmland for exhibit. They were the second team to supply vegetables to VFPCK in 2014. They selected as the farm school in 2014.

Name of the Farmer : K.G. Indira

Block : Kottarakara

Panchayat : Ezhukone

Crop Cultivating : Tubercrops, Vegetables, Pulses, Ground nut , Cool season Vegetables and Maize.

JLG formed : Samrurthi

Number of members : 4

Area of cultivation :2.5 acre, (Vegetables, Dry land paddy and Tubers)

A Success story of Determination

Indira, a farmer in Ezhukone panchayat. Years ago she couldn’t even provide enough food for their family . when the situation got vulgered she found a ray of hope in agriculture field and she started cultivation in her own land by tuber crops and vegetables. Her mother act a the pillar support for her in agriculture. She found success in her work , she felt very confidence on herself. Based on season she found much opportunity in cultivation of many variety crops and improved her life dramatically. She went for harvesting rice fields of other farmers in order to get money to maintain her family needs. In 2001, she heard about Kudumbasree NHG’s finally she joined in the group which belongs 20 members . From their she learned different schemes introduced by Kudumbasree mission. By Inspiring this she started small enterprises, but was not able to succeeding it.

In 2011

She joined in group farming by forming a group of 4 members and started work by registering in CDS. The group got training for different cultivational practices from Krishi Bhavan and KVK’s . The group started their intial work in their own ad rented land of 2.5 acre with Banana, Vegetables and Tuber crops. They could found success in their work which created much confidence in them. They attended trainings conducted by Kudumbasree in using farm machineries, that helps them in improving their work. They started helping other women members to enter into this field. The member Indira selected as a Master farmer in her block.

In 2013 she met Dr. Sheeba, Professor in KVK, Sadanantapuram. She told Indira to start the practice of Miniset cultivation in Yam, a method of producing small yam from 200 gram set by using organic method. She thought to do the method as an experiment, finally she could harvest 2-6kg of yam from a single set. She used the Variety “Gajendra” for cultivation. She foud a great success in yam cultivation. After the success she starts to do experiments in cool season vegetables, Ground nuts and Maize. Finally she understood she can be a star in the field of agriculture. Recently she is a member of JEEVA team in Kottarkara block. She used to sell her agricultural products in neighbourhood families and Market after satisfying her family needs. Apart from this she started to rearing poultry and goat for egg and milk purpose. Now she following a prestigious life along with husband and children support.

Support from Kudumbashree

Got training which help them to improve their farming. Received supports as area incentive, Interest subsidy and Bank linkage and got an out let to sell their products.

Awards

Received Best farmer award in 2015 in Ezhukone Grama Panchayat.