RG-AOFG (Regional Group)

AOFG India has one executive division a Regional Group in Kerala. The Regional Group (RG-AOFG India) is functioning from Adimali, Idukki District, Kerala. RG-AOFG India is manned by a professional team of seven staff members. Two districts; Kottayam and Idukki, are of great importance in Kerala as they belong to the Western Ghats wherein large scale migrations took place from plains by disturbing the rainforests. The area is famous for its spices and plantation crops. Cardamom, tea, coffee, black pepper is grown abundantly. Idukki district is predominantly hilly and 50% of the area is under forest. The majority population is small and marginal farmers with a mix of tribal communities. The district was once part of Kottayam district and is having three wild life sanctuaries: - Iudkki, Chinnar and Periyar tiger reserve. The area is a biodiversity hot spot.

RG-AOFG India is primarily involved in the following activities:

Women Empowerment.

15 Villages from Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola Subdivisions are the focus for women empowerment and organization. RG-AOFG has successfully setup community based women associations in each of these villages and have a stron membership of 750 women. Training on leadership has strengthened the CBWAs in promoting their own programs, fund raising and animated activities. 15 CBWAs are promoting 75 SHGs. 5 SHGs have taken up Spice production processing and marketing. 5 SHGs have taken up plantation of medicinal and aromatic plants for income generation.

Micro Credit & Self Help Groups.

All the 75 SHGs are active and involved in income generation activities. Micro credit and internal loaning is carried out for various production and income generation activities.

Medicinal & Aromatic Plantation.

Under Supervision of 5 SHGs, 75 families are engaged in the production and multiplication of medicinal and aromatic plants for local use. The mother plants are collected from the forests and planted in the home gardens and multiplied. Home based remedies are practiced and are as such proving helpful in saving money and timely availability of medicines.

Rainforests & EcoTourism.

5 Groups are engaged in support service to Eco-Tourism. A useful route map has been prepared and organizing local schools and colleges to involve in the program. Now, several schools are interested and deputing their students to take part in participatory program which is carried out for one week.

Marketing.

All SHGs are supported with a marketing plan and the products of the SHGs are marketed in an organized manner. The main products are packed black pepper, cardamom, mixed spices and rare medicinal plant ingredients.