The Chilla tribal produce market underneath the Marayur Sandal forest division in Idukki.
| Picture Credit score: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

‘Chilla’, the weekly open market launched by the Marayoor Sandal forest division to make sure honest costs for organically grown farm produce from the area’s tribal settlements is scaling new heights.

Precisely a decade after its launch, the gross sales turnover right here has reached ₹6.5 crore offering a secure revenue and market for the tribespeople in 20 settlements underneath Marayur and Kanthallur areas in Idukki.

This initiative is spearheaded by former Marayur Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Saby Varghese, with Vary officers M.G. Vinod Kumar and B. Renjith main the workforce.

Forest division officers famous that they determined to open a tribal produce market after witnessing first hand the exploitation of tribal farmers by distributors. Mr. Saby Varghese recalled, “At some point, we noticed a vendor buying produce from a tribal farmer at a fee that was solely 20 p.c of the particular market worth. After witnessing this, we mentioned the difficulty, and Mr. Vinod Kumar steered the concept for a tribal produce market. That marked the origin of Chilla.”

Earlier than the market’s inception, Marayur was suffering from rampant sandalwood smuggling, with some tribal folks taking part in these unlawful actions. Nevertheless, with the market offering a reliable supply of revenue, these incidents have considerably decreased. Mr. Varghese defined, “After the market opened, folks acquired correct revenue.”

The market now operates each Thursday, promoting over 168 kinds of tribal produce. Distributors from varied areas come to buy these high-quality natural objects. Mr. Vinod Kumar talked about that the market has considerably impacted the native financial system. “Chicken’s eye chili, eggs, and cattle are offered on the market. Over the previous 4 years, the market has offered ₹3.33 crore price of Chinese language potato (koorka) alone. This has inspired many tribal farmers to interact in Koorka farming,” he mentioned.

Kathireshan, a farmer from the Kammalamkudy settlement, shared his expertise, “Earlier than Chilla, we needed to promote our merchandise to middlemen at unfair costs. Most of us are illiterate, and the distributors set the charges. However after Chilla opened, we now obtain a good worth and an assured market. Many farmers have since taken up full-time farming.”

Mr. Kumar highlighted the market’s significance, stating, “If farmers have an assured market and honest fee, they’re extra prone to interact in farming. Chilla ensures a correct marketplace for them. The market operates underneath a Vana Samrakshana Samity. Beforehand, wild gooseberry had no market outdoors, however now it’s a preferred merchandise. Farmers may even promote chickens or goats by the market.”

The market has performed a vital function in making the tribal group self-sufficient, supporting over 20 settlements underneath the Marayur Sandal Division. Officers mentioned that after the arrival of the market, a socio-economic change was witnessed among the many tribal group. “The assured revenue helps the tribespeople present higher training for his or her youngsters and guarantee self-sufficiency for the households,” mentioned Mr. Kumar.