๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐: ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐๐ง๐ข ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ
In Kottathara village of Wayanad district, Kerala, Karthyayani Amma represents the quiet strength of rural women who preserve local food heritage. With deep knowledge of traditional food processing, she has long prepared Vaduku โ a cherished Wayanad delicacy made from 100% organic Turkey Berry, using indigenous methods passed down through generations.
While her skills were rich, access to structured markets and organised platforms remained limited. As an elderly woman entrepreneur, opportunities to expand her enterprise were few. The formation of the Keravriksha Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO), facilitated by Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP), created a new pathway. The FPO became a space for collective growth โ enabling women like Karthyayani Amma to transform traditional knowledge into sustainable livelihoods.
Today, she is a proud shareholder-member, earning a steady income through the FPO retail outlet. Beyond income, she has emerged as a respected community leader and mentor โ guiding fellow members in traditional food processing, sharing indigenous recipes, and strengthening confidence among women entrepreneurs.
Her story reflects the power of women-led collectives in restoring dignity, identity, and economic independence. By preserving organic food traditions and mentoring younger women, she is building a future where experience is valued, women lead confidently, and age is never a barrier to entrepreneurship.
โI am very proud to have become a successful entrepreneur, but still have a long way to go,โ she says โ with humility and determination.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
23 February, 2026