A simple idea to clean and cut vegetables like Chinese Potato and Banana Flower has turned into a life-changing venture for a group of women in a small village in Thrissur, Kerala.
For the last two years, a group of six women from Ashtamichira village near Mala has been selling over 70 kilograms of cleaned and cut Chinese Potato and Banana Flower per day, earning a steady source of revenue.
The women began the venture after customers buying freshly grown vegetables from a farmers’ cluster (Krishikottam) in Ashtamichira expressed their struggle to clean and cut the vegetables because of their hectic time schedules. Realising that many office-goers struggled with time-consuming vegetable preparation, they decided to offer a solution: neatly packed, pre-cut vegetables that are often difficult to peel and chop, such as Chinese potato (Koorka) and banana flower (Vazhapoo).
“We have regular customers who buy vegetables from the cluster comprising over 16 farmers in the locality. When we discussed the idea of offering cut vegetables to our customers with the Krishi Bhavan, they agreed to support it, and six women from the locality came forward to take up the task,” said Sinoj K S, who is the coordinator of the cluster.
Their idea struck a chord instantly. Word spread quickly, and their small venture, initially supplying to a handful of households, soon saw demand soaring. Within weeks, they were receiving bulk orders from working professionals, elderly individuals, and even small restaurants looking for a hassle-free way to prepare traditional Kerala dishes.
“We started small, unsure of how people would respond. But soon, we couldn’t keep up with the demand. People loved the convenience we provided. Now we are selling over 70 kilograms of cut vegetables per day, and the demand is soaring,” he said.
What made their business model unique was its focus on fresh, locally sourced produce and hygienic packaging. Customers appreciated not just the time-saving aspect but also the high quality of the vegetables. Encouraged by their initial success, the women have now expanded their operations, investing in better equipment for peeling and cutting.
“We cannot now keep up with the growing demand. We are planning to expand the supply to Thrissur and Kochi cities. We ensure all the cut vegetables reach the retail shops before 12 noon so that they can sell them freshly to the customers on the same day,” Sinoj added.
