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Mananthavady Urban CDS launches Brewsa in Wayanad

The Brewsa Coffee Powder Unit was started under the leadership of the CDS of Mananthavady Municipality in Wayanad district. This coffee powder manufacturing unit was formed as an income-generating activity as part of the Chalanam Camp under the leadership of the District Mission.

Brewsa Coffee Powder was first launched at the Livelihood Sub-committee meeting. Wayanad coffee beans are collected directly from farmers, dried without any additives, ground into coffee powder and brought to the market under the Brewsa brand.

Five women, who are executive members of Mananthavady Municipality CDS, are at the helm of this unit. They are happy to be able to launch a new venture and bring a great product to the people. The Chalanam Mentorship Programme is a special intervention to make Kudumbashree CDSs in urban areas as centres of excellence.

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Mananthavady Urban CDS launches Brewsa in Wayanad

It's time for black gold in Kannur

Pepper, known as the black gold, is the king of spices. To solve the rising price of pepper, which is widely used for cooking and health care, the Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission has launched a unique project. Through this project, 'One Pepper Seedling in Every House', it will be ensured that at least one pepper plant is cultivated in the kitchen gardens of the NHGs in the district.

The project was launched on the occasion of World Environment Day, on 5 June 2025. Until 5 July 2025, pepper seedlings will be distributed to the NHGs in all 81 CDSs in the district through NHGs, collective farming groups and IFC (Integrated Farming Cluster). Hybrid pepper seedlings from Kudumbashree organic nurseries in the district are being distributed. In the first phase, about three lakh saplings will be distributed and planted in the homes of the NHG members.

The project was inaugurated by T. Sulaja, President, Kadannappally-Panapuzha Panchayat at the Paravur Kundayad Anganwadi on 5 June 2025.

M.V. Jayan, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission, K. Mohanan, Vice President, Kadannappally-Panapuzha Panchayat, K.G. Bindu, CDS Chairperson, T.V. Sudhakaran, Chairman, Welfare Affairs Standing Committee, N. Karthiyani, Chairperson, Health and Education Standing Committee, M.V. Pavithran, Member Secretary and P.V. Swapna, Block Coordinator were present at the function. Saiju Padmanabhan, District Programme Manager, Kudumbashree explained the project.

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It's time for black gold in Kannur

'Noorang' Harvest of Thirunelly held in a festive mode

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 Coordinator, 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 Coordinator, Kudumbashree Wayanad District Mission, Pushpa, Prema, Sumathi, CDS Sub-committee members and Mohanan, Head of the Hamlet spoke at the function. Sai Krishnan, Coordinator, Thirunelly Special Project, Animators, Bridge Course Mentors, residents of the hamlet and others participated in the programme.

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'Noorang' Harvest of Thirunelly held in a festive mode

Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission starts Product Marketing Stall in connection with Thrissur Pooram

A product marketing stall led by Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission is set up at the Thrissur Pooram Exhibition in conjunction with Thrissur Pooram. Xavier Chittilappillly, MLA, Vadakkancherry Constituency inaugurated the marketing stall on 19 April 2025. Dr. U Saleel, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission presided over the function.

Kudumbashree branded chips, curry powders, cereal powders, various types of pickles, sweets, Naruneendi passion fruit, gooseberry and bird's eye chilly syrups, Chutney powders, homemade beauty products, Kuthampully handloom clothes, Kodassery Kottamala special honey, handmade soaps, toiletries, etc. produced by NHGs are available at the marketing stall. The marketing fair is led by micro-enterprise consultants who coordinate Kudumbashree's livelihood activities at the field level.

K. Radhakrishnan, Assistant District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission, Sobhu Narayanan, Vijaya Krishnan. R, Deepu. K Uthaman, District Programme Managers, Block Coordinators, Micro Enterprise Consultants (MECs) and members of the NHG community participated.

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Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission starts Product Marketing Stall in connection with Thrissur Pooram

Vanasundari Chicken Fest starts at Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant in Thiruvananthapuram

'Vanasundari Chicken Fest' is being held at Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant in Thiruvananthapuram from 16-18 April 2025. Kudumbashree's exclusive food product, Attappadi's 'Vanasundari Chicken', is a dish that has already become a hit at all major food festivals, including the food court organized at the National Saras Mela. The fest is being organized as part of providing an opportunity for food lovers in Thiruvananthapuram to enjoy the 'Vanasundari' Chicken dish. The Vanasundari Fest is being held at Kudumbashree's Premium Cafe Restaurant, which has started operations on the ground floor of a multi-storey building opposite the Government Press near the Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram.

Vanasundari Chicken is cooked by coating the chicken with a green curry paste which is made by mixing special greens and spices available in Attappadi. It is made without using oil. The dish is prepared by entrepreneurs from the Scheduled Tribe area of Attappadi. They also participated in the Kudumbashree Food Court organized in connection with the 'Vruthi' Conclave.

Kudumbashree's Premium Cafe Restaurant where the Vanasundari Fest is being held is fully air-conditioned and has the capacity to accommodate 50 people at a time. This is Kudumbashree's first premium cafe in the district. Travancore Mini Sadya, Pattom Chicken Curry, King Fish Malhar, Malabar dishes, and Chinese dishes are also available at the Kudumbashree Premium Cafe Restaurant.

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Vanasundari Chicken Fest starts at Kudumbashree Premium Restaurant in Thiruvananthapuram

'Nankard Atte' Hamlet Festival held in Noolpuzha of Wayanad

As part of the comprehensive tribal development project implemented by Kudumbashree in Noolpuzha of Wayanad, the Nankard Atte (Our Attam) village festivals organized under the auspices of Noolpuzha CDS were notable. These village festivals were organized with the aim of empowering NHGs, Balasabha, Bridge Courses, and Youth Clubs in the hamlets and to reach the deserving people more effectively with special projects implemented in the tribal area.

Along with organizational empowerment activities, artistic programmes were also held as part of the hamlet festivals. Kudumbashree was also able to initiate the initial steps of forming 6 new NHGs, 5 Balasabha and 8 Youth Clubs with these hamlet festivals.

The hamlet festivals organized in 11 hamlets in Noolpuzha began last month. The hamlet festivals concluded at Panayambalam village. The concluding session was chaired by Jaya, Chairperson, Noolpuzha CDS and was inaugurated by Shija Sateesh, President, Noolpuzha Grama Panchayat. Sai Krishnan, Project Coordinator, Tribal Special Project explained the project. Jyotish, Animator welcomed the gathering and Indu, Animator delivered the vote of thanks.

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'Nankard Atte' Hamlet Festival held in Noolpuzha of Wayanad

Electricity from Organic Waste; Haritha Karma Sena members from Perinthalmanna sets a new model

Perinthalmanna is the first municipality in Malappuram district to ensure 100% doorstep service. The 84-member Haritha Karma Sena was the driving force behind that achievement. The Haritha Karma Sena team, which was selected as the best Haritha Karma Sena in the district in the years 2023 and 2024, continues to provide its best services in all 34 wards every day. In addition, the municipality also collects organic waste and generates electricity from it.

The wards are divided into four clusters, with three people each, who go out to collect waste. The team owns two vehicles for this purpose. Organic waste collection started here in 2022 following a joint decision by the municipality and Haritha Karma Sena. They collect five to six tons of inorganic waste and four and a half to five and a half tons of organic waste daily.

The municipality has a Bio Shakti plant that can handle about 2000 kg of organic waste. Electricity is generated through this plant. Currently, 50 KW of electricity is generated in the plant. The acidic waste is removed from the organic waste collected by Haritha Karma Sena and sent to a shredder machine. Then it is sent to a crusher machine and is made into a paste. This is sent to a mixing tank and from there to a hydrolysis tank. Then chemicals are added and the waste is fed to the digestive tank as food for bacteria. The bacteria produce gas here. The scrubber machine removes the moisture and collects the gas produced in specific balloons. This is passed through valves to generators and generates electricity. The municipality also ensures equal wages for all the Haritha Karma Sena members. The daily wage is Rs. 550. Fertilizer is also produced from the collected organic waste.

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Electricity from Organic Waste; Haritha Karma Sena members from Perinthalmanna sets a new model

Kudumbashree Haritha Karma Sena Members rewrite the history of Erattayar of Idukki District

Idukki's Erattayar Grama Panchayat has thrown the shameful history of receiving a warning from the National Green Tribunal in 2017 into the dustbin. This progress of Erattayar, which has risen to the level of providing training to other local bodies in the district in waste management, is being spearheaded by the members of the Haritha Karma Sena working in 14 wards.

The Haritha Karma Sena started systematic work in the panchayat in 2020 by forming a consortium and training the members. From 2021 to December 2024, the Haritha Karma Sena collected 406 tons of inorganic waste, including 210 tons of plastic waste. They earn an income of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000 per month through waste collection and other activities.

Today, Haritha Karma Sena provides doorstep service to 100% of the houses and institutions in Erattayar Grama Panchayat. They also distribute 90% of the amount received as user fee by transporting waste materials. 10% of the amount is kept in the consortium account as a Corpus Fund and is used as a bonus on special occasions like Onam and for primary expenses in case of accidents that occur to Haritha Karma Sena members. Members are also included in the accident insurance policy.

Erattayar has an RRF facility that scientifically manages inorganic waste materials. They earn extra income by accepting sorted waste from nearby panchayats at a price and taking it to the RRF, where it is sorted again and handed over to various companies for recycling. In addition, the Employment Guarantee Board Construction Enterprise Unit is also being registered as a micro-enterprise by Kudumbashree.

Next is Erattayar Branded Organic Fertilizer

Erattayar Panchayat is moving forward with activities to generate income by launching its own brand of organic fertilizer. Organic waste collected from homes and various institutions is taken to the Thumboormuzhi unit with seven types of plants and windrow composting, where it is processed scientifically and converted into organic fertilizer. This fertilizer will be launched under Erattayar's own brand. 150 to 300 kg of organic waste is processed daily.

The implementation of strict legal measures by the Gram Panchayat against unscientific waste processing and dumping of waste has also played a major role in making the work of Haritha Karma Sena effective. Representatives of other local bodies visit the panchayat to see first-hand the waste processing activities of Erattayar. In addition, members of Erattayar's Haritha Karma Sena visit other local bodies as trainers and provide value-added sorting training.

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Kudumbashree Haritha Karma Sena Members rewrite the history of Erattayar of Idukki District

Value Added Products from Waste; Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission launches New Training Programme with Record

Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission has won the Asian Record of Talent Record by organizing a Mega Training Programme to prepare value-added products including decorative items from inorganic waste. 'Upcycling Art', the training programme of Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission was organized as part of the 'Malinya Muktham Nava Keralam Campaign at Fort Maidan, Palakkad on 22 March 2025. A total of 358 Kudumbashree members aged 18 to 65 years were part of the training programme.

The training was conducted using various materials such as plastic bottles, LED bulbs, paper glass, cloth, straws, and glass bottles. The training program was led by 33 people under the leadership of K. Sandhya, Art & Craft Teacher. Those who have now been trained will also be given a second phase of training. After that, they will provide upcycling art training at the block and panchayat levels. The NHG members will also be able to earn income through the sale of the products produced in this way. Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission will provide all kinds of support for the sale.

Raw materials for making value-added products will be purchased from the waste collected by the Haritha Karma Sena members of the district. This also ensures income for the Haritha Karma Sena members.

The training programme was inaugurated by K. Binumol, President, Palakkad District Panchayat. P.K. Chamunni, Vice President, District Panchayat presided over the function. Prameela Sasidharan, Chairperson, Palakkad Municipality was the Special Guest of the function. Priyanka. G IAS, District Collector, Palakkad was the Chief Guest of the function. A. Prem Kumar, President, Erumayoor Grama Panchayat, Saithalavi, District Coordinator, Nava Kerala Mission, Sulochana, Chairperson, Palakkad North Municipality CDS extended their greetings. K.K Chandradas, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission welcomed the gathering and Unnikrishnan, Assistant District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission delivered the vote of thanks.

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Value Added Products from Waste; Kudumbashree Palakkad District Mission launches New Training Programme with Record

Kudumbashree 'Venal Madhuram' Harvest begins

With the aim of producing quality, non-toxic watermelons to provide relief to the public this summer, Kudumbashree has begun harvesting watermelons produced as part of the 'Venal Madhuram' watermelon farming campaign launched during December 2024. Kudumbashree's Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) in 14 districts are cultivating watermelons on 758 acres. Most of this has already begun harvesting. A total of 4272 NHGs in 1024 JLGs in 501 CDSs are involved in 'Venal Madhuram' Watermelon Cultivation.

The Watermelon Cultivation Campaign, which is being conducted as part of the Kudumbashree Farm Livelihood Project, aimed to promote watermelon cultivation locally, increase the income of NHG members, and bring more NHG members into the agricultural sector.

Various varieties such as Sugar Baby, Pakeesa, Sugar Queen, Jubilee King, Yellow Munch, and Orange Delight were cultivated as part of the campaign. Kudumbashree had made available a maximum of Rs. 25,000 as a Revolving Fund through CDS for selected existing group farming groups and four new groups to prepare land and purchase planting materials for watermelon cultivation on at least one acre.

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Kudumbashree 'Venal Madhuram' Harvest begins