Producing Nutrimix and making annual turnover of Rs 2.5 crores: Success Story of Bhageerathi

The name of Smt. Bhageerathi of Palakkad is one of the popular names mentioned while discussing about Nutrimix, the Take Home Ration (THR) being supplied through Anganwadis for children of 6 months to 3 years of age. Smt. Bhageerathi hails from Kodunthirapally of Palakkad district of Kerala. She was once a woman who couldn’t even think of travelling from her district to another. But now, she is making regular visits to Delhi, Hyderabad, Bihar etc for giving lectures about Nutrimix before as many invited guests. Many higher officials from government, including IAS officials keeps on keenly listening to her lectures.

Amrutham Nutrimix

Amrutham Nutrimix is a food supplement suitable for six months to three-year-old children prepared by the Kudumbashree microenterprise units, consisting of NHG members, prevailing in every district of Kerala with the patronage and guidance of Kudumbashree. It has been pioneer initiative in the field of rural development, financial inclusion and most importantly in the battle against malnutrition.

The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) provides Supplementary Nutrition for children in the age group of six months to three years in the form of Take-Home-Ration (THR). The Social Welfare Department, Government of Kerala, has adopted the decentralized model of production and distribution of the THR in collaboration of Kudumbashree-State Poverty Eradication Mission from the year 2006 onwards.

Amrutham Nutrimix as a Take Home Ration (THR) gets supplied to Anganwadis by the units, from where the children get for free. On the other hand, the units get paid by the ICDS supervisor through Panchayath.

Now, Amrutham Nutrimix is being produced through 242 Kudumbashree units. The ingredients of Amrutham Nutrimix includes, wheat, soya chunks, groundnut, bengal gram and sugar. Smt. Bhageerathi is the leader of all Nutrimix producing units in Palakkad district. Nutrimix’s popularity has increased over the years for the standardized quality and the unit’s capability to meet the demand with adequate supply under all circumstances.

How Amrutham Nutrimix changed Bhageerathi’s life

Bhageerathi belonged to a poor family in Palakkad district of Kerala. Her life changed when she decided to eradicate poverty out of her life through hard work and when Kudumbashree Mission came for helping her. She was a post graduate who couldn’t succeed in getting a job then.  During 2004, she formed neighborhood group (Akshaya NHG) by joining other women residing near her ‘agrahaara’. Later they started two micro enterprises of their own and had received financial assistance and other help from Kudumbashree Mission. One was a micro enterprise unit which prepared pickles and snacks and the other one was a tailoring unit.

When Kudumbashree started Nutrimix production, Bhageerathi also became its part and attended the training held at Kasaragod. After coming back, she gave training to 149 women in her district regarding Nutrimix production. ‘Ammu Foods’ Nutrimix unit was formed under the leadership of Bhageerathi. Smt. P. Valsala, Smt. V. Indiramani. Smt. M. Khadija and Smt. M. Girija, other Kudumbashree members also joined her.

Later she began succeeding in her business and her life. She felt like studying more and go for higher studies for managing her business in better ways. As a result, she secured Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources, Post-Graduation in Social Welfare Administration and PGDCA. She also set up a software for digitalizing the accounts of Nutimix units in Palakkad.

Ammu Foods is producing about 10 tons of Nutrimix and 12 tons of Arogya Mix (supplementary nutrition for pregnant women and lactating mothers) a month. They are also producing Nutrimix biscuits and Nutrimix puttu powder as well.

Rs 2.5 crores is the annual turnover of ‘Ammu Foods’ now. The life style of Bhageerathi and other members were changed through Kudumbashree Mission. Bhageerathi could built a new house of her own. She had registered for PhD and is planning and working harder for getting a doctorate.

Bhageerathi’s life story is indeed a motivation for many. Her life story proves that it is possible for anyone to succeed in their life, if they have the confidence to make it a reality. Bhageerathi has proved that any women can make it happen with sheer self-confidence. Bhageerathi is already a role model to aspiring women entrepreneurs inside and outside the state.