In the Kulathupuzha region of Kerala, women from tribal Self-Help Groups have long possessed deep knowledge of traditional foods, grains, and local produce. However, limited access to processing facilities and markets restricted their ability to turn this knowledge into sustainable livelihoods.
On 9 April 2025, Thanal Trust, in partnership with KIMS Health through its CSR programme, established two women-led food enterprises as part of a broader sustainable livelihood initiative.
Both units are located in Kulathupuzha town, making them accessible as shared community facilities:
- A Flour Mill and Chapathi-Making Unit, operated by women from a Self-Help Group in Villumala hamlet
- A Traditional Food Processing Unit, run by a Self-Help Group from Kuzhaviyodu hamlet, producing snacks, pickles, and forest-based food products
These enterprises were designed to strengthen local economies while keeping ownership firmly within the community.
With the units in place:
- Women gained direct access to production infrastructure
- Local milling services became available within the region
- Indigenous food products began reaching wider markets
- Dependence on distant processing facilities reduced
Most importantly, women moved from informal skills to collective entrepreneurship, managing production, quality, and sales themselves.
The enterprises continue to evolve through diversified product portfolios, improved quality standards and consistency and participation in exhibitions and local market platforms, including regional events such as the NABARD exhibition in Kollam. These exposures have strengthened market understanding, branding, and networking, while building confidence and financial discipline among SHG members.
Impact & Benefits
- Sustainable income generation for women-led SHGs
- Enhanced skills in enterprise management and customer engagement
- Value addition to local and forest-based produce
- Preservation of traditional food knowledge
- Reduced travel and processing costs for local communities
Both the food processing and flour mill units are fully operational and community-managed, continuing to grow as women-led enterprises. With ongoing support in training, branding, exhibition facilitation, and market linkages, these initiatives are steadily progressing toward self-reliant, sustainable livelihood models rooted in ownership and empowerment.
Our Approach to CSR Partnerships
Thanal works with CSR partners to co-create community-centred, ecologically responsible initiatives. Each project is designed for long-term relevance, local ownership, and sustainability beyond the funding period.