Peermade Development Society

More than two decades of dedicated service, successful implementation of a good number of developmental activities, increasing support and participation from the people have made the tri letter PDS, a name synonymous with rural development. . Located amidst a typical natural setting at Peermade in Idukki District, Kerala, Peermade Development Society (PDS) with its genuine efforts to address the rural poor has attained high reputation and phenomenal growth and today it has become one of the largest voluntary organization in India.

PDS was established in the year 1980 and was registered as an non governmental organizations under the Travancore –Cochin Literary and Charitable Act of 1955. Its formal launch was the culmination of long interaction of its founder, Mar Mathew Arackal , the present Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kanjirappally , with the people of the High Ranges of Kerala during which he got sensitized on some of the dire predicaments the people suffered at large. The society resolved to cater to the development needs of the tribal people, marginal farmers and women and children of area by undertaking various developmental activities. It keeps a broad humanitarian outlook by reaching out to the people irrespective of the difference in terms of caste, religion, language, sex and age. The main areas of concern are Human resource development, Natural resource management, & Promotion of sustainable health.

The participatory approach is a characteristic feature of all the projects & programmes of PDS. PDS has taken efforts to document traditional, farmers and local innovations. In order to achieve ecologically sound, economically viable and socially just development of people, scientists of PDS has envisages a envisaged a novel type of participatory technology development termed Land to lab for the promotion of farmers & local innovation. Documentation, IPR protection, validation value addition and popularization are the activities included in the Land to lab approach Peermade Development Society will act as a trusted advisor, approachable companion and a compassionate counselor in the grassroots voyage of creativity, there by promoting culture of creativity. .

PDS has documented more than 750 grass innovations from all over Kerala and 35 Innovations documented by PDS were bagged National Awards from National Innovation Foundation. PDS in collaboration with National Innovation Foundation, Sristi Ahmedabad & Honeybee Network have organized 16th Shodhyatra in Idukki district. PDS is also publishing a newsletter in Malayalam ‘Ini Karshakan samsarikkattae (regional version of Honeybee Network) for giving visibility of grassroots innovations and also for networking. PDS has taken efforts to develop & popularize innovations with the support of DST, CAPART and NIF. Support has been extended to following innovations for developing prototype and for value addition. Low cost hand pump, multi utility stove, manual washing machine, banana slicing machine, Kumbukkal pepper variety and Pepper thekkan Low cost cardamom drier has been developed and popularized among women self-help groups. We have started an Innovators Technology Development Center for exhibiting grassroots Innovations. Photographs & models of 40 innovations were exhibited in the center. PDS has won 2 National Awards from National Innovation Foundation for scouting grass root Innovations in 2001 & 2002.