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Programmes - Tribal Development

Originally, PDS was started with tribal development programmes and it continues to implement various programmes addressing the livelihood and other issues of the tribal people.


‘Wadi’ approach in Tribal Development
In colaboration with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) PDS has initiated a major programme for the integrated development of the tribal communities in Idukki district. The programme aims at promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities for 500 tribal families belonging to Urali and Ulladan tribal communities in Kannampady tribal colony located in Upputhara Panchayat. Under the project the tribal families will be motivated and capacitated to undertake scientific agriculture practices, animal husbandry, micro finance, NTFP processing units, drinking water schemes and soil and water conservation measures in the next five years. The programme is implemented through Wadi (small orchard) approach in a participatory manner. Under the project each beneficiary family who is having cultivable land is motivated to demarcate at least 50 cents of land for undertaking scientific agriculture practices. Various orientation and capacity building programmes are organized to motivate the tribal farmers to adopt scientific agriculture.

Organic cultivatin of cardamom among tribal farmers
Popularisation of Proven Bio-agents and Standardisation of Traditional Botanical Pesticides for Scientific Organic Cultivation of Cardamom among the Tribal Farmers of Idukki District is a project supported by Dept. of Science & Technology, Govt. of India. Three awareness campaigns on importance of organic cultivation were conducted in different villages, in which 92 farmers participated. In addition, two training classes on Agronomic, pest and disease management aspects of organic cultivation of cardamom were conducted for equipping the selected tribal farmers (30 direct beneficiaries). Different trials on developing Package of Practice were carried out in this period.

Marketing support for organic spices
One of the major problems faced by the tribal communities in Idukki district is the lack of marketing facilities for their agriculture produce. In order to check the exploitation of the middlemen and ensure reasonable price for the products of tribals, PDS continues to buy the organic spices from the tribals at a price higher than the market rate. The tribals are given training in organic cultivation of pepper, ginger, turmeric and cardamom and are certified by Control Union as organic farmers. Presently there are 276 certified tribal farmers and during the reporting period, PDS collected 12 tonnes of black pepper, 3 tonnes of turmeric and 2 tonnes of ginger from them.