Research

Agricultural Sciences

Title :	Enhancing forest-based livelihood opportunities among indigenous tribes in the Western Ghats of Kerala
Area of research :	Agricultural Sciences
Focus area :	Climate Change, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Food and agriculture, Land Resources, Life Sciences
Principal Investigator :	Dr. Manju Vasudevan Sharma, River Research Centre, Thrissur, Kerala (680306)
Timeline Start Year :	2024
Timeline End Year :	2027
Contact info :	mann.vasu@gmail.com
Equipments :	Aluminum Drier ( Rs.0.00 ) , Aluminum Drier ( Rs.0.00 ) , Aluminum Drier ( Rs.0.00 ) , Cupboards ( Rs.0.00 ) , Cupboards ( Rs.0.00 ) , Cupboards ( Rs.0.00 ) , Coffee Huller ( Rs.0.00 ) , Coffee Huller ( Rs.0.00 ) , Coffee Huller ( Rs.0.00 ) , Smoke Chamber ( Rs.0.00 ) , Smoke Chamber ( Rs.0.00 ) , Smoke Chamber ( Rs.0.00 ) , Soap Press ( Rs.0.00 ) , Soap Press ( Rs.0.00 ) , Soap Press ( Rs.0.00 ) , Large plastic drums for finished goods, Steel drum for storing carrier oil ( Rs.159040.00 ) , Large plastic drums for finished goods, Steel drum for storing carrier oil ( Rs.0.00 ) , Large plastic drums for finished goods, Steel drum for storing carrier oil ( Rs.0.00 ) , Fabrication of prototype equipment ( Rs.60000.00 ) , Fabrication of prototype equipment ( Rs.0.00 ) , Fabrication of prototype equipment ( Rs.0.00 )

Details

Executive Summary :

The project aims to support indigenous people in the Western Ghats of Kerala by supporting sustainable enterprises based on unconventional non-timber forest products (NTFPs), such as coffee, cocoa, pepper, and wild ginger. The project aims to demonstrate that it is possible to take on stewardship roles for conservation and use forest rights in meaningful ways without jeopardizing the security of forests and the river. The project will focus on reviving millet and tuber crops and encouraging the harvest of forgotten wilds, with the aim of addressing nutrition among these populations. The project will involve skill development trainings, focusing on forgotten foods and medicinal plants, and exploring technology to reduce manual labor and maximize efficiency during value-addition processes. The project will also streamline production and enhance the market potential of traditional and unconventional NTFPs through existing networks and e-commerce platforms.