Tribal Women From Kerala Learn Economic Empowerment at Kovai Institute
The training featured expert sessions on turning local food traditions into sustainable livelihoods
Coimbatore: The Icar-Sugarcane Breeding Institute (Icar-SBI) in Coimbatore, organised a campaign on ‘Economic Empowerment of Tribal women of Attappadi’, at its research centre in Agali, in Kerala, bordering Coimbatore, under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes Component (DAPSTC).
Dr. D. Puthira Prathap, principal scientist and nodal officer, DAPSTC, highlighted the socio-economic and health challenges faced by tribal women in Attappadi, including chronic malnutrition and maternal anaemia.
He outlined Icar-SBI’s initiatives to address these gaps and cited the example of Aruna Tirkey, an Oraon tribal entrepreneur from Jharkhand, who popularised indigenous cuisine through her restaurant in Ranchi.
“Entrepreneurship fosters financial independence, preserves indigenous skills, and strengthens the tribal women’s voice in household and community decisions,” he added, noting that studies show about 60 per cent of tribal women entrepreneurs report greater decision-making power and social recognition.
The training featured expert sessions on turning local food traditions into sustainable livelihoods.
Dr Saraswathi Eswaran, retired professor from TNAU-Coimbatore, spoke on ‘Empowering Tribal Women through Food Entrepreneurship’, emphasising value addition to traditional recipes and local produce.
Participants got their doubts clarified on processing, packaging and marketing, and prepared ‘banana jam’ during the hands-on practical session.
Dr V. Thirunavukkarasu from TNAU-Coimbatore focused on low-input, high-return livestock options suited to the region. He highlighted the Attappady black goat — a slender, medium-sized indigenous breed — and the Gramapriya layer chicken, which yields 180–200 eggs up to 72 weeks. He also covered green fodder cultivation, dry straw feeding and strategies for effective marketing of livestock and poultry products.
Shinu Babukutty, tribal extension officer, integrated tribal development project, Agali, P. Pravijith, agricultural officer, Agali, spoke on the occasion.