Kudumbashree earns Rs 40.44 crore from Onam markets

Thiruvananthapuram: Kudumbashree entrepreneurs and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) registered sales worth Rs 40.44 crore from this year’s Onam markets, Minister for Local Self Government M B Rajesh said in a Facebook post. The figure marks a sharp rise from Rs 28.47 crore last year.

According to official figures, Kudumbashree members produced 1,378 tonnes of vegetables and 109 tonnes of flowers for the festive season. The sales were achieved through 1,943 Onam fairs held across Kerala, along with Onam feasts and gift hamper sales. The fairs alone accounted for Rs 31.9 crore in revenue.

Through the Kudumbashree Pocket Mart e-commerce platform and Community Development Societies (CDS), 98,910 Onam gift hampers were sold, generating Rs 6.3 crore. Kudumbashree also supplied 1,22,557 Onam feasts, earning Rs 2.24 crore.

Special Onam-focused farming initiatives, ‘Onakani’ vegetable cultivation and ‘Nirapolima’ flower farming, on 8,913 acres and 1,820 acres respectively brought in Rs 10.32 crore in sales.

Officials said this year’s higher sales reflect the success of Kudumbashree’s Onam initiatives and congratulated all those who contributed to the effort.