Suja Balan hails from Aneri village in the Wayanad district of Kerala. Her family was entirely dependent on her husband’s income from farming and daily-wage labour before the devastating floods of 2019 put the family in a precarious economic condition. Aware of SSP’s work in the area, she immediately joined the Sakhi Farmer’s Group (SFG) that was created with their support, and she attended various trainings related to income generation, management of producer companies and farmer groups, leadership, and women’s empowerment.
Suja’s maternal family were strong proponents of organic farming and followed traditional methods of farming on their land. With additional knowledge gained through trainings, she began to promote traditional cultivation amongst her own Farmer’s Group in the village. Together, the SFG began cultivating indigenous crops and seasonal vegetables. Starting on a collective basis, she soon gained the confidence and resources to individually lease 50 cents of land. She cultivates medicinal plants, traditional varieties of rice and vegetables on her own. Using knowledge passed down amongst Kurichiya elders, she also preserves indigenous seeds and mentors other women in her community to do the same.
With the support of SSP, Suja and her group became founding members of the Keravriksha Farmer Producer Organization (FPO). In addition to her work with the FPO in promoting and processing medicinal plants, she also regularly sells her organic produce in Kudumbashree markets. In the past 3 years, Suja has increased her income to Rs. 9,000 per month on average.
During the difficult Covid-19 lockdown, she was able to purchase a smartphone for her children’s education with her own money. With her earnings, she takes greater responsibility in managing household finances. As a result of her growth as a leader, she has also been selected as a member of the local Panchayat Village Development Committee.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
11th August, 2022