She has also won the prestigious Kathir 2025 award, recognising outstanding contributions to farming. Notably, she is also the first transgender person in India to receive a farmer's ID, an initiative launched by the Kerala Agricultural Department.
Published Jan 31, 2025 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 31, 2025 | 12:00 PM
Sravanthika, is the winner of the prestigious Kathir 2025 award, recognizing outstanding contributions to farming.
Kerala’s transgender community has long relied on professions such as art and makeup for survival. More recently, government initiatives like the Kochi Metro have provided opportunities for inclusion. However, in Alappuzha, a transgender woman named Shravanthika is forging a unique path as a farmer, breaking traditional moulds and inspiring change.
She has also won the prestigious Kathir 2025 award, recognising outstanding contributions to farming. Notably, she is also the first transgender person in India to receive a farmer’s ID, an initiative launched by the Kerala Agricultural Department.
Born into a family with a strong agricultural background, Shravanthika is the granddaughter of the renowned farmer Thankappan. Even though farming was in her blood, she initially pursued a career in healthcare, earning a diploma in Ayurvedic Panchakarma and working at a private hospital in Ernakulam.
Her life took an unforeseen turn when her partner, BS Arun, suffered severe injuries in a car accident. Stepping into the role of a caregiver, she left her job, pushing the family into financial difficulties. In this challenging period, Shravanthika returned to her agricultural roots, embracing farming as a means of survival.
The Navodaya project by the Mar Thoma Church, designed to uplift the transgender community, became pivotal in Shravanthika’s journey. Leasing 2.75 acres of land through the program, she started with an initial investment of ₹1,600, planting 40 banana saplings. Over time, her dedication and hard work transformed the small beginning into a thriving enterprise.
Today, her farm includes a wide variety of crops, including turmeric, yams, mushrooms, and livestock such as cows, goats, chickens, and ducks. Her remarkable efforts have earned her recognition, including the prestigious Best Transgender Farmer award.
Beyond her personal achievements, Shravanthika’s journey has become a source of inspiration for the transgender community, encouraging others to take up farming. With the unwavering support of her partner, Arun, she has turned adversity into a story of resilience and success.
Shravanthika’s life stands as a shining example of determination and innovation, proving that with community support and perseverance, barriers can be overcome, and new paths can be forged.
When South First contacted Shravanthika, she shared, “When I received the Kathir Award from Mammootty, I deeply missed my mother. Her absence during such a significant moment is my only sorrow.
“Many people doubt whether farming can be profitable or provide a stable livelihood, but I can confidently say it is possible. My entire family depends on farming for our livelihood. I’ve also adopted mixed farming, combining fish, vegetables, poultry, and more, which minimises market risks and ensures sustainability,” she added.
Shravanthika has achieved another milestone also; she is the first transgender person in India to receive a farmer’s ID card. This initiative, launched by the Kerala Agriculture Department, is designed to instil a sense of pride and recognition among farmers, affirming their identity that, I am a proud farmer.
The process of obtaining this identification card has been made accessible through the Kathir app, allowing farmers to apply from the comfort of their homes. By submitting necessary documents, including farm photographs and identity proofs, applicants can secure their farmer’s ID, which serves multiple purposes. It facilitates access to agricultural services, simplifies loan applications, and aids in official documentation.
Agriculture Minister P Prasad emphasised that the initiative extends beyond being just a government project. He likened it to a community-driven effort, similar to Kerala’s historic literacy movement. He highlighted that the card is more than a simple identification tool, it systematically records all farming activities, ensuring that farmers receive the recognition and support they deserve.
The state government has launched “Kathir,” a digital platform aimed at modernising the agricultural sector. This initiative includes a mobile app and web portal designed to support farmers by providing a wide range of services. Available on the Play Store, the app enables farmers to apply for agricultural schemes, request soil testing, seek expert advice on pest and disease management, access weather forecasts, and utilise agricultural machinery services.
A senior official from the Agriculture Department told South First that Kathir acted as a comprehensive support system for farmers.
The app features real-time weather updates, soil testing options, and a “Plant Doctor” service, allowing farmers to upload photos of affected crops and consult agricultural officers for guidance.
Additionally, it offers a one-click application process for government agricultural schemes, ensuring farmers stay informed about new policies and financial assistance. The web portal will also consolidate land-related data by integrating records from the Revenue and Survey Departments.
In its second phase, Kathir will expand to include information on seed and fertiliser availability, agricultural equipment, and workforce resources.
Farmers will also benefit from enhanced market access and distribution networks. The third phase will introduce services such as crop insurance and compensation mechanisms for losses due to natural disasters, further strengthening support for the farming community.
Kerala’s farmers are embracing innovative solutions to transform their agricultural practices, with the state’s Agriculture Department set to introduce Ashraya Centres, a trailblazing initiative to simplify and enhance access to digital agricultural services.
Currently, farmers in Kerala rely on a combination of a mobile application and a web portal to access various agriculture-related digital services.
However, recognising the need for a more integrated and accessible approach, the government has launched Ashraya Centres as part of its broader hundred-day programme. These centres will consolidate essential digital services under one roof, streamlining processes and ensuring faster, more efficient service delivery.
The Ashraya Centres are modelled after the highly successful Akshaya Centres, which have been providing essential digital services to the general public for years.
By adopting a similar framework, the government aims to replicate this success within the agricultural sector. Farmers can access these services at a nominal fee comparable to Akshaya Centres, making the initiative both affordable and sustainable.
“I am an old man with no knowledge of digital dealings. Now, with everything digitised, I initially panicked, wondering how I would access these services. Earlier, I used to visit Nattakom Krishibhavan to clear my doubts and avail government services and aid. But now, we have multiple centres to rely on,” Ramakrishnan, a vegetable farmer from Kottayam told South First.
The implementation of Ashraya Centres will follow a collaborative and community-driven approach, involving entities such as farmers’ groups, Krishisree Centres, agro service centres, and Karshika Karma Sena. This inclusive framework will prioritise support for small and marginal farmers, ensuring their active participation in the initiative.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
