The Onam Markets organized under the leadership of Kudumbashree will begin on 22 August 2023 across the state. The aim of the Onam Markets is to provide pure and unadulterated unique products at fair prices.
Shri. M.B. Rajesh, Minister of Local Self-Government Department and Excise Department, Government of Kerala will perform the State Level Inauguration of the Onam Markets during the function proposed to be held at Police Ground, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram on 22 August 2023. Shri. Antony Raju, Minister for Transport, Government of Kerala will preside over the function.
Onam Markets will be organized in a comprehensive manner in all 1070 CDSs in collaboration with local institutions. Apart from this, preparations for organizing district level fairs have also been completed. Kudumbashree will provide Rs. 1 lakh at district level, Rs. 15,000 at Urban CDS level and Rs. 12,000 at Grama panchayat level for organizing marketing fairs. In addition, the Government has also issued an order to allocate up to Rs. 1 lakh from the local self-government bodies’ own funds for Onam market fairs.
Various products produced by Kudumbashree micro-entrepreneurs and collective farming groups are marketed at the fairs. Various types of flours, food products and agricultural products will be marketed. Various flowers such as marigold, bandi, jasmine and lotus cultivated by Kudumbashree women farmers groups active in the field of floriculture will add more colour to Kudumbashree fairs this time.
Most of the CDSs are organizing various types of competitions like Athapookkalam, Vadamvali and Thiruvathira in connection with the marketing fair. Various art programmes will also be staged under the leadership of Balasabha members. CDSs in urban areas will also be active in organizing Onam Markets. Full participation of all individual and group entrepreneurs will be ensured in Onan Markets. Preparatory meetings of District Missions, Formation of Organizing Committee and Entrepreneurial Meetings were completed in connection with the effective conduct of Onam Markets.
The State Level Marketing Fair in Thiruvananthapuram will be from 22 to 28 August 2023. Apart from the 50 product marketing stalls, special Onam Marketing Counters will also be set up at the fair in Thycaud. The fair will also feature a food court with a variety of food and arts and cultural events.