Kudumbashree launched 'Onam Utsav' Online Trade Fair  to extend maximum support to Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs and farming group members (JLG) to make maximum out of the onam market. The campaign was launched by Shri. M.V Govindan Master, Minister, Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala at Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram on 18 August 2021. Smt. P.I Sreevidya IAS, Executive Director, Kudumbashree, presided over the function. Amidst the crisis of covid-19', Onam Utsav', the online trade fair is being conducted  through www.kudumbashreebazaar.com, the e-commerce portal of Kudumbashree during 18-31 August 2021. 

Tribal Micro Enterprise units from Attappady bags orders from Supplyco to provide sweets for the onam kits. Rushikondatta, Navarasa, Malleeshwara and Shreenandanam, the four micro enterprise units consisting of 16 tribal women from Attappady would provide 60,000 packets of banana chips and jaggery coated banana chips worth Rs 15.60 lakhs to the onam kits which would be distributed by the Supplyco during this onam season. The banana chips and the jaggery coated banana chips would be given to the Supplyco in the brand name, 'Hill Value'. The banana chips and the jaggery coated banana chips are given to the onam kits of Supplyco, as part of the Attappady Comprehensive Tribal Development and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group Development Project.

The Hill Value unit had already been selling various farm produce in the market under the 'Hill Value Brand. The unit has procured 24 tonnes  of plantain from the Kudumbashree Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) , which had in turn helped a lot many farmers who were facing challenges due to covid-19 pandemic. The JLGs have been producing various traditional crops such as ragi, little millet (chama), jowar, millets , fox tail millet (tina), kodo millet (varagu), sorghum (cholam) and pearl millet (kambham) and have been marketing under the 'Hill Value' brand. The products under 'Hill Value' brand also include coffee, turmeric powder, coriander powder, chilli powder, pickles, njavara, cardamom, clove, brindleberry, amara, thumara, tamarind, pepper, kungiliyam, honey, sesame, cinnamon etc. Previously, the Hill Value team had participated in the India International Trade Fair (IITF) held at Delhi, the Tribal Fair held at the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the National Sale of Articles and Rural Artisan Society (SARAS) and various other festivals and had earned good visibility and appreciation of thousands of consumers and general public.

In addition to the tribal micro enterprise units from Attappady, Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs from various districts across the state are busy preparing and supplying sweets for the onam kits of Supplyco. Kudumbashree aims at making maximum use of the onam market to overcome the financial crisis the entrepreneurs had to face during the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of this, Kudumbashree is converging with Supplyco. The tribal micro enterprise units of Attappady are trying to make the most out of this opportunity now.

Kudumbashree is busy setting up 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets to market the products of Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs at the local level. Kudumbashree envisages to start 100 'Kudumbashree Shoppe' outlets all across the state. Sanction had been given for starting 73 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets and 15 of them had already started functioning. The activities to launch the remaining outlets is progressing at a faster pace. Now, 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets are opened at Vellarada, Pullampara panchayats of Thiruvananthapuram, Budhanoor Panchayath of Alappuzha, Kadavallur Panchayath of Thrissur, Narath Panchayath of Kannur,  Kuruva, Kuttippuram, Vengara Panchayats of Malappuram, Kanjikuzhy Panchayath of Idukki, Puthuppadi Panchayath of Kozhikode and Kottappady, Thiruvaniyoor, Okkal, Ayyambuzha, Mulanthuruthy Panchayaths of Ernakulam District. 'Naadanum Nallathum' (Local & Good) is the tagline of these branded 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets. 

The products of Kudumbashree micro entrepreneurs were getting wide acceptance at the monthly markets, the temporary avenues which were started for promoting the products of Kudumbashree micro enterprises. Through monthly markets, it was able to identify markets for Kudumbashree micro enterprises that were in the initial stages. In this background, it was identified that these temporary markets should be turned into permanent marketing outlets. The idea of setting up marketing outlets at the local level was included in the Annual Action Plan 2020-21 of the Kudumbashree Marketing team. The same is included in the Annual Action Plan 2021-22 as well. On this basis, the district teams were directed to identify the spots where monthly markets were being held successfully. They were also asked to identify the spaces at various locations across the state, where the marketing outlets could be launched. Following that, a uniform plan and design of the marketing outlet (designed by the State Mission), which was branded as 'Kudumbashree Shopee' was given to the district teams. The district teams were directed to submit a detailed project proposal and estimate on the spaces identified to start the 'Kudumbashree Shopee'  outlets to Kudumbashree State Mission. After analyzing the same, sanction was given for starting 73 marketing outlets. 

The respective District Missions would own the 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets in their districts. The respective CDSs would be in charge of the 'Kudumbashree Shopee' outlets in their respective panchayats. The CDSs may entrust someone for dealing with the marketing and management of the outlets.  A meeting of the entrepreneurs could be convened under their leadership, fix the margins of the products and entrust the entrepreneurs to bring the products to the outlets, on a regular basis. It is the responsibility of the Kudumbashree Micro Enterprise Consultants (MECs) to oversee the activities of the Kudumbashree Shopee outlets and handhold the same. Rs 5 lakh each would be allocated for setting up the outlet. This could be used for the interior functioning, electrification and for purchasing the needed equipment. Also, a Management Committee would be formed at the CDS level for the overall management of the outlets. The Management Committee should include CDS Chairperson, Member Secretary, Accountant,  ME Convener,  Block Coordinator, one CDS member and Micro Enterprise Consultant (MEC) as Managing Committee members. Kudumbashree is making concerted efforts to take the marketing of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs to the next level.

Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission launched 'Meraki' Brand Kurta of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs. The enterprise was launched by Shri. V. Sivadasan, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha at Najmulhuda Shopping Complex, Meruvambai, Kannur on 7 August 2021. The enterprise was started by Kudumbashree Kannur District Mission, by joining a group of Kudumbashree women who knew tailoring beforehand and had lost their livelihood opportunities due to the crisis of Covid-19 pandemic.

'Meraki' Brand Kurta, which is launched at the state level is the first of its kind branded Kurta of Kudumbashree and the same  would soon be available online. The 'Meraki' Brand kurtas would be available in all sizes. The enterprise has a special logo and branded price tag and was launched by joining the women from Koothuparamba block, who knew tailoring beforehand. The training was extended to the entrepreneurs under the leadership of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kannur, an institution for Fashion, Design, Technology and Management, located in the Dharmashala of Kannur, during the first week of March 2021. The training extended was on the new trends in the fashion world and new designs.

The micro entrepreneurs were divided into four enterprise groups and they would function as the enterprises of the Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP). If pre-orders are given, they would also stitch dress codes as well. The 'Meraki' Brand Kurta also has a Customer Care Centre. 8281709388 is the contact number of 'Meraki' Brand Kurta of Kudumbashree.

Kudumbashree members would arrange the sweets for the Onam Kit of Supplyco this year. As of now, Kudumbashree has received orders worth Rs 5.41 crores. The sweets are to be distributed among the 88 lakh ration card holders in the state. 17 lakh packets of sarkara varatti (jaggery coated banana chips) and 16,060 packets of banana chips had already been handed over to Supplyco. The remaining packets would be delivered at the earliest. Kudumbashree would arrange the sweets in 100gm packets.

 

Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission launched 'Amrutham Karkkidakam' Ethnic Food Fest under the leadership of Kudumbashree entrepreneurs at Collectorate premises on 22 July 2021. 'Amrutham Karkkidakam' Handbook, which would be helpful for maintaining a healthy life style and food habits was also launched at the function. The Handbook was launched by Shri. K. Rajan, Minister for Land Revenue, Survey and Land Records, Land Reforms, Housing, Government of Kerala by giving the same to Shri. K. Radhakrishnan, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes, Devaswoms, Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Kerala. The Food Fest was inaugurated by Shri. P. K David Master, President, District Panchayath, Thrissur.

The food fest envisages to make available ethnic food products to the public and preserve the tradition and culture of Kerala. During this Ethnic Food Fest, various types of medicinal porridges and leafy curries would be served. Shri. K.V Jyothish Kumar, District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission presided over the function. In addition to the different medicinal porridges, medicines to improve the health would also be served as parcels. The Ethnic Food Fest is being organized following the covid protocol. The Food Fest would come to an end on 30 July 2021. 

The Handbook launched deals about the traditional health practices, food and pandemics. It also includes traditional knowledge, Ayurveda practices and healthy food habits. Kudumbashree Thrissur District Mission had been organizing Food Festival in the name 'Amrutham Karkkidakam' at the Panchayaths in the districts for about four years. The Handbook would be helpful for the Kudumbashree enterprises to prepare Karkkidakam dishes in the background of covid-19 pandemic. The Handbook is prepared under the leadership of AIFRHM (Adebha- Athidhi Devo Bhava- Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management), the Yuvashree Enterprise of Kudumbashree functioning in the catering sector.