Tribal Agriculture

Tribal agriculture represents a holistic approach to farming that goes beyond mere production, emphasizing harmony with nature, soil health, and ecosystem preservation. Indigenous communities have nurtured a wealth of cultural, ecological, and agricultural knowledge over centuries, contributing to biodiversity conservation, natural resource protection, and food security enhancement. Traditional farming methods offer multifaceted benefits, including improved community health and nutrition, livelihood security, and environmental and cultural preservation.

In the face of contemporary challenges such as climate change, population growth, and natural resource degradation, sustainable food production has become paramount. Tribal agriculture stands out as a resilient and sustainable system, characterized by eco-friendly practices and risk-minimizing techniques. As the world increasingly seeks to transition to sustainable agriculture, we are actively promoting and supporting the revival of traditional agrarian practices in Kerala.
Thanal’s efforts are particularly focused on collaborating with indigenous farmers in regions like Attappady, Wayanad, and Pathanamthitta to revive their age-old agricultural methods, along with their associated culture, rituals, and traditions. Technical assistance is provided to farmers, and efforts are made to educate and empower the younger generation to become knowledgeable stewards of the land.

In 2018, Thanal partnered with the Kerala State Scheduled Tribes Development Department and the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council in the Namuth Vellame Project. This initiative aimed to ensure the nutritional security of tribal communities by reviving Panja Krishi, the traditional farming method of Attappadi. Thanal’s ongoing endeavors include supporting the revival of tribal agriculture, providing technical assistance to family farmers, assisting in organic certification, and conducting fellowships to facilitate the transmission of indigenous knowledge on farming and sustainable living across generations. Through these initiatives, Thanal continues to play a crucial role in preserving traditional agricultural practices, promoting environmental sustainability, and empowering indigenous communities in Kerala.

Our Objectives Speak Volumes

Revive Indigenous Farming Practices

Collaborate with indigenous communities to revive traditional farming methods while preserving their culture, traditions, and crop diversity.

Achieve Nutrition Sufficiency

Promote sustainable agriculture practices that connect food production to farming, aiming to achieve nutrition sufficiency and contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).

Cultivate environmental consciousness

Educate and engage youth in sustainable agriculture practices, fostering an environmentally conscious generation while providing job opportunities within tribal communities.

Foster Collaborations

Collaborate with government and non-government organizations to integrate tribal agriculture programs, working towards self-sufficiency and food security among tribal communities.

Promote Holistic Development

Strive for holistic development by integrating cultural preservation, sustainable agriculture, nutrition sufficiency, community empowerment, and environmental consciousness into tribal agriculture programs.

Latest News and Updates

Empowering Attappadi: The Millet Processing Center

Thanal, in collaboration with UST, established a Millet Processing Centre in the Sambarcode hamlet of Attappadi, inaugurated by UST Chief Value Officer Sunil Balakrishnan on December 20, 2021. This initiative proved to be a boon for Attappadi in multiple ways. The center streamlined millet processing, enhancing product saleability and profitability while creating job opportunities for local youth. Additionally, it facilitated the consumption of nutritious food, contributing to the overall health and well-being of the community. Ward Member Mani expressed gratitude for the project, emphasizing its importance in

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enabling easy millet processing and promoting a healthier generation. The Millet Processing Centre is run by a women’s group, aligning with Thanal’s focus on women empowerment. As part of this initiative, Thanal trained 8 women and 2 men in millet processing techniques, imparting valuable skills to the indigenous population. The Millet Processing Unit plays a crucial role in fostering a healthier generation by efficiently utilizing locally grown grains.

Vedhavalla Manookaran School Of Agriculture

With financial and technical assistance from Thanal, Vedhavalla was established in May 2019 to revive and cultivate lost crop varieties in Attappadi, leading to the formation of Vedhe Vella. Managed by a youth group, Vedhavella aims to revive Panjakrishi, traditional tribal agriculture, and preserve indigenous rice and millet varieties. Tribal communities designate an expert, known as Mannookkaran, and his wife, Manookkari, to oversee agricultural activities. Thanal’s Tribal Agriculture School educates youth on tribal farming and seed preservation. Plans include establishing a tribal academy to conserve arts, rituals, and traditions,

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and marketing traditional agricultural products. With the help of young men from Sambarcode, Thanal harvested 460 kg of traditional food grains in 2021.Registered under the Kerala Charitable Societies Registration Act in 2020, the team documents traditional agricultural practices to preserve indigenous culture and promote sustainable farming. Through these; we hope to preserve the traditional practices and culture of the indigenous people, which may otherwise be lost due to modernization. It can help to promote sustainable farming practices, which can benefit the environment and local communities.

Kuttivanam; The little forest by little friends

The Kuttivanam project, initiated in 2021 as a tribute to renowned poet and environmentalist Sugathakumari teacher, signifies a promising effort towards environmental conservation and community engagement in Attappadi. With the support of 406 bridge course students from 16 hamlets of Attappadi, Thanal collaborated with the Attappadi Kudumbashree Mission and the Social Forestry Division to plant 14 kuttivanams, comprising 3000 trees across 5.90 acres of land. This initiative not only contributes to afforestation but also fosters a sense of environmental stewardship among the youth.

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Every year on Sugathakumari teacher’s birthday, the students gather in the forests, reciting her beloved poems. This practice not only honors the memory of the renowned poet but also instills a deep connection with nature in the younger generation.

Moreover, the students’ active involvement in taking care of the planted trees demonstrates their commitment to environmental sustainability and community development. Through initiatives like the Kuttivanam project, Thanal is shaping young minds, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment, and handholding tribal communities towards a greener and more sustainable future.