Name of Enterprise : MAA Natural Food Products, PULARI JLG

District : Kasaragod

Year of Formation : 13.03.2017

Total Amount of Project cost :13Lakh

Bank Loan :10 Lakh

Gramapanchayath subsidy : 3 Lakh

Sales turn Over : 1365000

Average Monthly sales turn Over : 7 lakh

Products : Turmeric Powder, Pathiri Powder, Chili Powder, Pepper Powder, Rice flour, Atta, Ediyappam powder, coconut Oil, Tea Powder, Pickle

`The food-processing unit plays a vital role in economic development and has potential to meet the local needs and export requirements. It helps in processing agricultural products such as field crops, pulses, horticultural crops, livestock converting them to edible and other usable forms. Most important point in the food-processing, of is that a sizeable portion of raw material processed in them being rural based it has a very high employment potential with significantly lower investment. Further the value addition generates new demand on the farm sector for more and different agricultural outputs, which are more suitable for processing.

Natural Food Product is a micro enterprise unit of pulari jlg registered and functioning under Panathady FFC. The jlg group pulari started cultivation of food crops such as turmeric, ginger, tapioca and vegetables since 2015. They faced many difficulties in harvest period especially to market their products. They met Panchyth authority and present their problems especially in marketing issue.. After the discussion with VEO and Panchayath authorities jlg members planned to start farm based value addition unit and submitted the proposal. Panchayath and the CDS assist the women farming groups in obtaining infrastructure support and enhancing their accessibility in the main factor of production. The unit got final approval and initial investment availed from bank. Food processing mill started brand name called MAA products. Three other jlg groups namely Navageevan, sthri shakthi, pratheksha also joined as partner of this venture.

They were advised to attend a training program on value addition on ginger, pepper, rice, etc. Subsequently attended two day training program on value addition. They have been provided with all the need based knowledge & skill, which included scientific quality management of food production, skill training on various value added products.

The total project cost is 13 lakh and they availed 10 lakh as bank loan and 3lakh as subsidy from Grama Panchayath. Kudumbashree mission provides various farm based trainings and incentive amount for supporting the jlg activities.

They got gross earnings of 7 Lacks per month and each member given the salary of 10000/month.

The value added products are sold in Direct Marketing, home shop , NHGs, fairs and weekly and monthly markets of Kudumbashree

The unit has been a point of attraction for exposure visits by master farmers. Farmers of adjoining areas of various CDS and farmers group.

Hi, I am a resident of Vazhapally grama panchayath and secretary of ‘Akshaya Kudumbashree - SHG’. In addition to that I am in the role of CDS member and JLG, ADS secretary. I am interested in agriculture from my childhood. I got inspiration from my mother who was a veteran farmer and a well known cattle rearing.

I was homeless for past 5 months and now I am house owner of some land with the grace of almighty. The agriculture and chicken poultry is at the back side of the house. I am satisfied with the present living condition, where I was running with the hens and its shed in every 10 months of house shifting. At that time also I was rearing the chickens for the livelihood. The chickens are healthy like warriors and 8 in number. There was another one with 5 chicks. The rabbit family consist of Kathu, the mother with 6 small rabbits and the male. They are loving and ready to kiss when I approach the door of their shed. There was another group of 5 growing cloaks. There the ducks are the large group 35 indigenous ducks and with an addition of 5 broilers. There was pond nearby home in the field, where recently started paddy cultivation with the effort of the ward member Saramma and the agricultural officer. There made fencing in between the pond and the cultivating field. We took photos of standing on the tractor when it came for ploughing. It was given rebirth to childhood nostalgic memories.

There are 5 types of brinjal, green chilli, drumstick, leafy colocasia and neem tree at my courtyard. The excretion of rabbit and hen are used as manure and the urine of rabbit as pesticide. The seed of lady’s finger and some vegetables are distributing to all the visitors in order to motivate them to do agriculture. We are selling vegetables in all alternate days. My husband Hussein and son Pachu also helping me in all the efforts. There is a plan to rear goat and cow in future. I became talkative at the time of share about agriculture.

Kudumbashree helped me to become a better speaker for all time because I was born bought up in a remote village in Kuttanadu. I stopped the study with matriculation where there was no chance for further education. So I learned tailoring and stitching. But lead the life of house wife. But the story became different after the association with the Kudumbashree. There was immediate change in my life to secretary from a member, then to ADS member, next as R.P for Kudumbashree school and there with JLG also. There I love all the members of the group and felt that women are changed positively .There was tremendous appreciation from my ward member by appreciating and by giving ample opportunity to speak in meetings .I was shivered at the earlier stages. Now I am spoke person in all meetings to clear the doubts and a teacher for the entrepreneurs. We bought soap making kit and marketed in the 8 Kudumbashree NHGs and mobilise fund for buying chairs for our SHG. In the 1st of November, we conducted a food fest with an aim to do some charity and got amazing response from the public. They appreciated and invited us to conduct the same in every month, some are ready to allot room space for the same. The unforgettable event in my life is the interaction with the Thomas Issac and the experience of getting gift with his signature from him.

All the events and episode of my life were unplanned with the touch of God.

Another episode, how team work and Collective farming efforts reap results by Dhanasree Kudumbashree, (Dhanasree J.N.G (KNR 77/8/1) which Comes under Irikkur block and Kuttiyattor grama panchayat ,again proven a success model, can be adopted a model of determination and dedication for success, where the graph of growth and equally tangible transformation of well taken projects and initiatives by the team. Every Team works ,synergy creation and contribution mainly depend on the right leader ship and Dhansree led by the great leadership of group president Ms .Shymala and secretary Ms.C.Usha and the team includes , Reshma.k, Bindu.M.v, Mini.P, Vasanthi.M., KK, Preetha and Sharadh .M. evolving and taking Dhansree to the 11th year from a humble beginning.

Dhansree taken an entirely different approach and project selection with Mucuna pruriens which got high medicinal value, recognition and commercial attractiveness. By making a trial approach by farming and the it is equally aligned with the Govt Mission to utilize the land which is seen as un exploited and idle. So team taken brave steps by considering the risks and equally rejected the opinion of all concerned negative comments about the Mucuna pruriens cultivation. With the help of Ms Kavillam Indira Amma, who allowed the land for the project and the team got funding from Kuttiaytoor SIB a loan amount of Rs , 100,000 . The 3 Acre land for the project, which is steep in nature made in equal layers for suitable farming and for this 372 working days included under the guaranteed wage employment scheme .The land where before occupied and used for illegal association and activities, Dhanasree team got equal credit in putting an end for such activities by effective and productive use of the land. 5 no of Mucuna plants planted in one cubicle and like 1242 cubicle contain 6210 plants in total part of the land utilization.

Every sowing in expectation of the blessing from mother earth, the great and most promising news is that, Dhanshree got an advance booking of Mucuna Pruriens plantation by Idoozhi illam vidhya shala for the preparation of medicine.

The team planning for the harvest festival by next week and it will be another jewel in the crown for Dhanasree and the confidence and satisfaction reflects in their words by transforming such a land for a productive resource generation by the committed efforts and team work. Team equally optimistic about the revenue and profit side of the project which will encourage them to move ahead for such new initiatives.

District : Palakkad

Block :Nemmara

GramaPanchayath :Vandhazhi

Ward : 8

JLG :Aiswarya

Total Area Cultivation : 7 Acres

Crops : Paddy

Why Aiswarya JLG? Their synergy justifies this question by an initiative established with 2.5 acres of lease land, after 5 years they converted and increased honourably this 2.5 to 7 acres as their own cultivation fields. The source of the money for buy this land was fully depended on their income from the fields. Team Aiswarya, JLG hard working for last 10 years for build a new life through Kudumbashree. Their hard work and will power reaching to the success and they get the appreciation for the same from the society by buying their product. Aiswary JLG becomes the trusted organic paddy cultivators in the eastern side of Palakkad district.

Happy to say that they are one of the prime pillars of ‘Annam’, the organic rice brand of Kudumbashree district mission Palakkad. The project Annam contemplates to provide the best and purest organic rice in this manipulated present, not only to the famous ‘Kerala’s rice bin’, but also for all over Kerala.

Aiswarya JLG is one of the successful JLGs in the district, which is affiliated under CDS VandazhiGrama Panchayat in Nenmara Block. This JLG has total seven members. Among them Rosa Joseph as president, KanakalathaChandran as Secretary and Devi, Kamalam, Sheeba, Rosamma and Lakshmi performs as members as well. As a team they are unite in whole activities, from the beginning to end. Mrs KanakalathaChandran Co-Ordinating the team as secretary of the unit. When discussing about the members, the committed attitude towards their work, they achieved success in farming and life as well.

They are started their initiative in 2.5 acres in 2008, and grown to 7 acres and growing gradually without exhaustion till date. Their paddy fields spreads green in the 8th ward of VandazhyGrama Panchayat. This JLG had taken 3,00,000.00 rupees loan and repaying without fail. All the products harvest are brought to the common public platform of weekly and monthly markets by ‘Annam’ Rice.

Kudumbashree provided the financial assistance by interest subsidy and incentive as per norms. More than that Kudumbashree motivated them by providing ceaseless courage and optimistic support.

The best JLG award of 2014-15 fromKrishiBhavan furnishes their hall of fame.

District : Thiruvananthapuram

Block : Chirayinkeezh

Panchayath : Kadaykavoor

JLG Name : Sagar

Sagar Jlg is one among the successful JLGs in the district, which is affiliated under Kudumbashree CDS Kadaykavoor Grama Panchayath 7th ward in Chirayinkeezh block. All the members of this JLG is from Bharathy Sagar NHG group of the same ward . This JLG has total 5 members. Among them ushakumari as president, Sheela V s secretary, and jayanthy, Beena, Bindhumol as members as well. The members of this group are particularly a house wives and they were not engaged in group or social activities. But now they are actively participating in kudumbashree programs, trainings, group activities etc, and also they are self sufficient in economic needs too. They have 75 cents total cultivation area in which a particular portion is taken for lease. The main crops cultivating are Plantain, Tapioca, and Vegetables.

At the same time 3 members in the group have a successful model of terrace farming. Which they have done with more than 50 grow bags. All the members of the JLG is able to deposit to their personal savings schemes through the profit they are getting from the farming activities. In addition to the farm income they getting almost 10000 rupees as bonus from those personal savings scheme

This JLG had taken loan from IDBI for an amount of 100000 rupees and they repaying the loan with a 10000 rupees EMI. They used that loan amount to clear some previous debit and at the same time the group was able to enhance their farming activities introduced different verieties of plantain suckers bio fertilizers etc. All the produced harvest are brought to the common public platform of weekly monthly markets of Kudumbashree. In addition to that vegetables of curry leaves have very high demand, the customers are coming directly to the farm to get a products. Secretary of this JLG is selected as the master farmer of the CDS. She has undergone various training and then she is able to show that information of the knowledge to the other jlgs in the same CDS. The group is producing special fish amino acids, Neem oil emulsion, Anchila kashayam etc which could be used in crops. The secretary of this groupis also the member of JEVA team who is responsible in auditing of JLGs in the district. The group was able to actively participate in Pre onam market, onam Fair etc. The members of the groups express their sincere gratitude towards kudumbashree for the greatest platform is given to them.

Achamma Eliyas

Mahima JLG

Mazhuvannur Grama Panchayat

Here I explain my experience in agriculture through Kudumbashree JLGs; my family consists of husband and two children. Agriculture is the main income source of our family. I have been part of Kudumbashree network since 2000. Even though I have a member of farming family I had never undertaken any agriculture activity. I never used my day time for any productive activities. As a rural woman I used most of my time in household activities.

After two years in NHG I heard about JLG, and then I started thinking of it. I thought that as a member of farming family I could easily manage the agriculture activities. Most of the members in the NHG were from farming families. So I decided to start cultivation through a group initiative. During the next NHG meeting I shared the idea to form a JLG and start cultivation. Then we started cultivation in 3 acres of land. All the members were from farming families was the only reason for starting the programme. During the initial period we faced some difficulties but with the support from families we overcome the same. The trainings from Kudumbashree mission helped a lot to improve our farming. We got incentives and bank loans through Kudumbashree. This was the starting point of our farming initiative.

Presently we are having cultivation in 11.5 acres of land. The major crops are paddy, Banana, Vegetables and Pineapple. We are getting good income from the practice and can be able to contribute to the family budget through the group farming.

Last year have selected as the master farmer trainer and JEVA and honored as the best farmer of the Panchayath.

Now I am very happy that the small initiative became a big success. Now all of us, the four member team getting good returns from the activity. We proudly say that this is only because of Kudumbashree, the largest women net work in the country.

Name : LathaRaveendran

District :Thrissur

Block : Puzhakal

JLG: Nanma

Members:5

Started cultivation:2000

Total cultivation area:5Acre,2polyhouse

Smt.LathaRaveendran’s is a story of courage and determination and is a great example for the socio economic changes that Kudumbashree has imparted on the women of Kerala.

Latha became a widow in 1992.She had a son and was left with no options to survive.She decided to take agriculture as livelihood and started farming in small area. Initially it was all problems and loss for some years. When Kudumbashree startedfunctiong in Thrissur district she became an active member .

In 2002 a training was organised by the District Mission and Agricultural Research Centre,Mannuthi for using machines in Agriculture . She joined in the first batch and after 24 days of training she purchased 3 machines for planting with the help of the Parappur Cooperative Society and started working arduously.

Since the repairing works were not included in the 1st batch of training Latha was at a loss when the machines broke down at times.But she was not affected ..Studying the machine manual and consulting with local mechanics she learned fast and became an expert to repair works also.Today she says she can repair any part of the machines. She has worked with her machines in the fields of not only Thrissur but in other districts also -almost 2500 acres of land per year.

Now she is recognised as the leader of women farmers in the District.In 2010 she lead the planting of 300 acres of land acquired by the Agriculture University within 5 days.Using the yearly profits she bought cutting and harvesting machine and an grass cutti g machine.

Dr.M.S.Swaminathan recognised her as the prime example of women empowerment in Kerala.In 2013 she was awarded Best Farmer in TholurPanchayat,Best Farmer of Kudumbashree in the District.In 2015 her group received Award for the best JLG in Kerala.

In her harm Latha is cultivating 1000 banana,coupie,Carrot,cabbageetc.using modern technology like polyhouse and drip irrigation etc.She has also got training of Mahendra in tractor driving and ploughing.In her polihouse she is doing organic Agriculture .

Latha today is the secretary of JEVA Thrissur ,and lately awarded the best JEVA in the District by the Hon‘ble Minister Dr.K.T.Jaleel.

A wasteland that was not used for any purpose for years was utilized for farming and cultivation by four ladies, Mrs AjithaReji, Jiju Shasheendran, Bindhu Thomas and Somi Thomas from Vadasserikkara Grama Panchayath, Pathanamthitta District. They were the members of Joint Liability Group. They made a group by a name Samridhiand has registered in FFC. Their farming and cultivation using the wasteland was a great success.

They came to know about cultivation through the JLG and even without sufficient knowledge on agriculture and cultivation, they planned to rent out 3 acre of wasteland and did farming there. Now they are growing banana plant , tapioca, yam, purple yam, colocasia etc. on that wasteland.

All of them invalued in different works like watering, aerating, manuring, disinfecting and all in the cultivating area. These ladies find time for farming of crops after completing their household works.

In cultivation they faced a lot of problem from the wild animals wandering in those areas. For finding a solution for this they applied a loan ; and they built a tin sheet barrier around the boundaries of the farm.

Eventhough they had to face a lot of problems in there first cultivation season, as they all stood with strong desire and with hardwork; they were able to get a good result in yielding good crops.

The group leader Mrs AjithaReji is from a low class family. They didn’t have enough earnings. Her husband was running a small shop; they had a daughter. The income that they get from the shop was not enough for running their day to day expenses along with their daughters education. In such a condition Mrs. Ajitha decided to be a part of this Joint Liability Group and took a decision of cultivating in the waste land, so that she could find some earnings from it. With this inspiration now they are planning to get 4.5 acres more of land and use it for cultivating vegetables.

The yields obtained from this has been used as row materials for making other consumable products that has been sold in their own unity club shops. Hence they are earning from the profit that is obtained in this manner.

They practised complete organic way of cultivating crops and vegetables. They had decided that the yield that they obtain from there farm should be 100% free from any type of insecticides or pesticides. Hence there was a great demand for such organic vegetables and crops in the market; which was easy for them to sell those yields at a very good profit. Ginger was one of the cultivation, “it doesn’t require in special type of fertilizers “ said Mrs Jiju, one of the members from the group. Ginger after planting they just have to put some cowdung and other organic waste materials. Last time they sold ginger for 180 Rs. per Kilogram. In this group cultivation last time, they earned Rs. 100000/- from the yields. More over that they got incentive and interest subsidy from the Mission.

Each members of this “ Samrdhi” JLG group is very happy now. They never expected that they could earn such a profit from this and could make a self earning program like this. With appropriate cultivate methods and hard work from this for ladies of Vadasserikara Panchayath are worth of such a movement in organic farming and use of waste land.

Name of the JLG: Haritha

Total number of members: 5

Name of the members: Gracy, Bindhu, Sheena, Lakshmi, Theyi (2 ST members)

Block: Mananthavady

Panchayat: Thondaranad

Total area of cultivation: 12.5 acres

Major crops: Rice, Banana, Elephant foot Yam, Colocasia, Ginger, Tapioca and Vegetables.

JLG has brought a new turn on the life of each members for the last 15 years. They started cultivation on 2.5 acres of land, hired from a private land owner at a rate of 20,000 rs per year which was a very difficult task. Even in their difficulties they gradually expanded their farm. Now, they cultivate on an area of 12.5 acres with major crops like Rice, Banana, Elephant foot yam, Colocasia, Ginger, Tapioca and Vegetables. Among vegetables, bitter guard is cultivated more.

They practice organic farming with mixed cropping system. Each group members have homestead farming in their house, which help them to attain sustainable vegetable production. They also have mushroom cultivation unit named Haritha mushroom unit and a value addition unit. Integrated farming system (IFS) plays a key role in their success which helps them to attain continuous income.

Supports from Kudumbashree

They receive supports like area incentives, production incentives, subsidies, CIF and trainings which help them to improve their farming activities. They sell their products in Kudumbashree weekly market,VFPCK,and open markets.

Awards

• Received Kudumbashree best JLG award in 2016.
• Best Karshaka group award from Krishi bhavan Thondaranad thereby received two lakh rupees for buying machineries.

Name of JLG : Kathir

Total No. of Members : 6

Name of members : Lalitha K, Santhakumari V.M, Vilasini A.K, Sarojini A,K, Sarada, Prasanna

Affiliation number : G111007/09/03

District : Kozhikode

Block : Koduvally

Panchayath : Thamarassery

Total area of cultivation: 4 acres

The members of Kathir JLG have made the best out of available resources. Their belief in organic farming was the foundation of their rise from humble house wife to highly regarded farmer. This group was formed in 2010 and from the beginning they practice organic farming. One among them is JEVA member and three are master farmers and all of them are very active in MKSP activities. They are doing cultivation in two seasons every year and these organic produces are highly demanded in the market. In 4 acres of land, they used to cultivate vegetables like bhendi, brinjal, cowpea, snake gourd, ash gourd, chilli, amaranth etc, tapioca, amorphophallus and elephant foot yam. In the last season, they invested an amount of rupees 17000/- as cost of cultivation per acre and the return was rupees 37000/- per acre. This group is running a poultry farm and two dairy units also.

Support from Kudumbashree:

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:

• Thamarassery Krishibhavan- Best JLG award -Twice in 2014, 2016
• Thamarassery Grama Panchayath -Best JLG Award 2011