VDVK Programme
Under the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) programme, Aadhimalai has been supporting Indigenous communities in the Nilgiris to strengthen their livelihoods through value addition, processing, enterprise development and market access. The programme focuses on enabling community groups to move beyond the sale of raw forest and farm produce by developing local processing and business capabilities.
The program currently works in 2 areas - Masinagudi with the Irula Community and Nelakkottai, Pandalur with the Kaatunaicken Community.
1. VDVK Programme, Masinagudi
The VDVK centre at Masinagudi has been established with a focus on the Irula community, particularly for the collection, processing and marketing of wild honey and other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).
Masinagudi VDVK Stakeholder Consultation Meeting
Program Overview (Masinagudi)
Aadhimalai provided training to the community members in:
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Bookkeeping and basic financial management
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Honey processing and bottling
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Quality handling and hygienic processing
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Marketing and value addition
A Honey Bottling Machine was installed at the Masinagudi centre to enable the community to process and bottle honey locally. Necessary hands-on training was provided to the members on operating the equipment, handling honey, bottling and maintaining basic quality standards.
This facility is intended to help the community improve the quality, presentation and marketability of their honey, while creating greater opportunities for local value addition and income generation.
Masinagudi Bookkeeping
Nelakkottai Building
2. VDVK Programme, Nelakkottai (Pandalur)
A second VDVK centre has been established at Nelakkottai, Pandalur, primarily supporting the Kaatunaicken community. The centre focuses on the processing and value addition of locally available agricultural and forest-based products.
The centre has been equipped with:
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Spice Grinding Machine
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Coconut Oil Extractor
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Coffee Huller
Aadhimalai has provided training to the community members in marketing, bookkeeping and processing, enabling them to develop the skills required to operate the centre as a community-managed enterprise.
The introduction of processing equipment allows the community to undertake value addition closer to the source, reducing dependence on external processors and creating opportunities to improve the value of their products before they reach the market.
Building Community-Owned Enterprises
Through these two VDVK centres, Aadhimalai's approach goes beyond providing machinery. The programme combines infrastructure, equipment, technical training, financial management, processing skills and market knowledge.
The objective is to strengthen the capacity of Indigenous communities to manage their own enterprises, add value to locally available produce and gradually build sustainable sources of income.
Masinagudi focuses primarily on honey and NTFPs for the Irula community, while Nelakkottai–Pandalur focuses on spices, coconut oil, coffee and other locally available produce for the Kaatunaicken community. Together, these centres demonstrate how VDVK can support Indigenous producers in moving from raw produce collection to local processing, value addition and market-linked community enterprises.
Nelakkottai Coconut Oil Extractor