Transforming Communities, One Woman at a Time: The Kudumbashree Story

"When I started my career as an entrepreneur in Pallichal, Nemom — a place on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram — my first sale brought me just 20 rupees. Today, I earn around 2.5 lakh rupees every month. For this achievement, I am forever grateful to Kudumbashree,' says Bindu, her smile widening as she begins to share her inspiring journey.
Her venture, Athira Herbals, which currently holds a 4.7-star rating on Google Reviews, is in high demand. Kudumbashree played a key role in her success, offering both financial support and the opportunity to showcase her products at various exhibitions, helping her business take off. Bindu primarily markets products made from khus roots, aloe vera, true indigo, and brahmi. In 2022, she established Ayuraj Industries Private Limited. Just last year, she received an interest -free loan of one lakh rupees from Kudumbashree.
Bindu’s story is one among thousands of success stories made possible by Kudumbashree.
In the past nine years alone, Kudumbashree has facilitated the creation of 1,63,458 startups in Kerala, providing employment and income to over 3.23 lakh members of various Ayalkoottams. It has launched 10 premium café-style restaurants across the state and set up 1,028 Janakeeya Hotels to generate jobs for its members. Additionally, 288 women-led construction units have been established.

Bindu(top left corner) and her Website AYURAJ

Currently, 4,438 women are employed under the Haritha Karma Sena, and 241 Amrutham Nutrimix units are operational. Events like the Saras Mela, held in Kerala and other states, have contributed a total of 126.35 crore rupees in sales to Kerala-based startups. Local exhibitions have generated another 185.88 crore rupees in revenue.
Statewide, there are around 3,17,724 Kudumbashree Ayalkoottams, with a total of 48,08,737 members. Over the past nine years, 98,023 new Ayalkoottams have been formed, and 11.5 lakh new members have joined. Kudumbashree has also established 48 transgender Ayalkoottams, 3,352 PWD (Persons with Disabilities) Ayalkoottams, and 25,992 senior citizen Ayalkoottams. Additionally, 10,472 auxiliary groups and 94,594 farmers’ groups are actively functioning.
Under the Kudumbashree- backed Broiler Farmers Producer Company, the Kerala Chicken initiative has seen great success, generating 317 crore rupees in revenue. In the financial year 2024–25 alone, it recorded 105.63 crore rupees in sales.
According to records, Ayalkoottam members have collectively deposited around 9,369 crore rupees in various banks. Moreover, 28,723.89 crore rupees has been disbursed as internal loans to neighboring states. Insurance coverage has been extended to 42 lakh people through various Kudumbashree initiatives.