Women’s Day 2024: Catering dreams in Kerala

When the Kudumbashree Mission was launched in 1999, it was a government-sponsored endeavour aimed at empowering women, primarily through credit activities in Kerala’s rural areas. However, what began as a modest initiative has transformed into a project that is fuelling community development.

Supported by the Union government and NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), India’s apex development bank, Kudumbashree has metamorphosed into the world’s largest collective of its kind, boasting over 309,000 self-help groups (SHGs) spread across the state.

Throughout its journey, Kudumbashree has proven its resilience, particularly during times of crisis. From the devastating Kerala floods of 2018 to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, women affiliated with the mission have emerged as pillars of support for their communities. During the pandemic, Kudumbashree facilitated interest-free credit amounting to some Rs 1,917 crore to 2.5 million members, providing a lifeline to Kerala’s economy.

This article was originally published as part of  Down To Earth’s special issue dated 1-15 March, 2024.  Download the full story for free

Furthermore, Kudumbashree’s impact extends beyond financial support. The organisation’s proactive engagement in various sectors, including catering, organic farming, agri-business and food processing, has empowered women to explore innovative avenues and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

One of the oldest ventures under Kudumbashree, started 10 years after the launch of the scheme, is the Adheba Institute of Food Research and Hospitality Management, situated in Thrissur. Adheba has become a symbol of empowerment, training women from low-income backgrounds in culinary arts and hospitality management.

Rathi Kunhikrishnan, who conceived and proposed the idea of Adheba to Kudumbashree, told Down To Earth (DTE), “Rural women usually cook well and they are ready to experiment. So I thought food was an area in which rural women could attain self-dignity.” Till now, Adheba has trained over 35,000 women to become chefs, with 15,000 of them undergoing advanced training to establish local catering units.

Today, Adheba provides direct employment to 200 women and maintains a vast network of 3,500 chefs and caterers across Kerala. Moreover, the institute’s influence extends beyond state borders, with training programmes being extended to women SHGs in Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand.

“If you have to celebrate an event in any corner of Kerala’s 14 districts, you can call us and avail our service,” says Rathi. The initiative, operating on a non-profit model, ensures that profits are equitably distributed among involved families, fostering a sense of collective ownership and empowerment.

As the Kudumbashree Mission commemorates 25 years of transformative impact, it has prompted many disempowered women to venture into innovative areas like organic farming, farm tourism, agri-business, meat processing, poultry, food processing, aquaculture and other micro-enterprises. It is also running an e-commerce platform for marketing products made by members.