ACCORD- Action for Community Organisation Rehabilitation and Development

The local community cultivates both Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties, each distinguished by its caffeine content. Arabica, being more challenging to grow and having a milder flavor, commands higher prices compared to Robusta. Coffee here is manually harvested and sun-dried, without any machinery. After drying, the beans are sold at market rates to the Adivasi Kappi Society, a farmers' collective. This collective ensures transparency by weighing the beans in the presence of farmers, countering past cheating practices.
Historically, tribal people were disadvantaged in mainstream markets. Unfamiliar with market prices, they were often underpaid for their beans. Adivasi Kappi Society, formed under Adivasi Munnetra Sangam in 2015 with 22 members, addresses these issues. Most members are small coffee growers who lack individual bargaining power but, together, wield influence. The society prevents exploitation by retailers and shop owners, fostering fair trade.
Part of the remuneration is

ASHWINI, our medical branch, leads medical interventions, while ACCORD runs "Aroghya Krishi" or "Gardens for Health," aiding families with seeds and guidance for home gardens to supplement diets. Local climate-suitable vegetables are chosen, promoting traditional usage. Over 1000 families embraced the program last year. This year, seeds like spinach, pumpkin, brinjals, and more are distributed, and villagers share saved seeds. The focus now shifts to preserving endangered tubers in local cuisine.