The Beekeeper from Wayanad
Recurring floods between 2018-2020 in Wayanad district, Kerala severely impacted Tanuja’s family’s income, with additional difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With little support from her husband, she found a way to economically empower herself with determination and commitment.
When Tanuja joined the Sakhi Farmers Group facilitated by SSP, she was eager to start any business that would provide her with a regular income. She received training on beekeeping through SSP. In 2021, Tanuja approached the Kerala Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and was able to get a honey box and bee’s at 80% subsidized rate.
She also received a loan of Rs. 5,000 from the Community Resilience Fund (CRF) to start the business. SSP connected Tanuja with a model bee keeper to advance her knowledge and orient her to the impacts of climatic change on honey production. They also helped her to apply for a loan from a local bank.
Tanuja has been able to create a successful beekeeping business in her village, where she receives a stable income of Rs. 6000 per month.
Seeing her success, her husband has also started supporting her in honey collection and maintenance activities. Today, Tanuja has become the local resource person in beekeeping and honey marketing, inspiring many women from nearby villages with her work.
“I was able to grow bees at home, collect honey, sell it in markets and use the income to run my family. Becoming a decision maker in the family is a big change for me”, says Tanuja.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
05th February, 2022