Njavalparrakudi is a small village falling in Adimali Panchayat of Idukki district, Kerala. Home to 26 tribal families, this village saw massive devastation as a result of the floods and landslides in 2018. Several families lost their crops. As part of its efforts to support communities in livelihood restoration, ActionAid Association (AAA), with support from Oracle and Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), provided support for agricultural activities to 21 worst-affected families in this village in the form of a sapling kit, cash support of Rs. 1,200 each and a training in organic farming.

Mini, 35, is one of those women farmers who received this support. Recollecting her memories from last year, she narrates, “Before the landslide hit our village, I had coffee, pepper plant, cocoa and banana growing on my farm. All of it got damaged. And just when we needed some support to get our lives back on track, ActionAid Association, Oracle and Charities Aid Foundation entered our village.” She further shares that she has already sown all the saplings provided to her.

“While the vegetables that grow will all be used for my family’s self-consumption, I will sell fruits and other items in the market,” she adds. Mother of four, Mini hopes to also see an increase in her income very soon. Trained in organic farming now, she has decided to practice the same. “The sale of organic products in the market promises to multiply profits. I plan to use the increased income to buy more seeds and invest in enhancing my farm produce – all of it the organic way,” she says.

In total, AAA, Oracle and CAF have provided 237 families, covering 13 villages of Idukki, with agricultural support, besides supporting the repair of five anganwadis, five schools and one community hall in the district.