Our story begins

from time immemorial. We, the PANIYAS, KATTUNAYAKANS, BETTAKURUMBAS AND MULLUKURUMBAS, are the original people of the Gudalur Valley – the Adivasis!

Our lives intertwined with nature till outsiders came and usurped our fertile lands. Many of us especially the Paniyas were reduced to bonded labourers in land which was once our own.

During colonial times, the British Government declared forests national property, which was continued after independence. We were thus considered encroachers on land which was once our own. Colonial tea plantations soon followed and we were pushed to the periphery of society – unseen and unheard in our homeland.

A situation that continued till 1986 when ACCORD – Action for Community Organisation Rehabilitation and Development entered our lives and helped us form the ADIVASI MUNNETRA SANGAM, a community organization to represent us and defend our rights.

ACCORD

ACCORD (Action for Community Organisation, Rehabilitation and Development), established in 1986, addresses the historical injustices faced by the Adivasi communities of the Gudalur Valley - the Paniyas, Kattunayakans, Bettakurumbas, and Mullukurumbas, recognized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. ACCORD's mission is to ensure that Adivasis engage with mainstream society with dignity and pride, working toward a just society where their economic, health, education, and cultural needs are met.

This long journey has created a robust ecosystem of community-owned institutions led by the Adivasi Munnetra Sangam (AMS), a 4,000-family tribal organization governing all initiatives.

Key institutions include ASHWINI (Gudalur Adivasi Hospital and community health programme), the Viswa Bharathi Vidyodaya Trust (Vidyodaya School and village education programmes), the Just Change India Producer Company and the Adivasi Innovation Hub (market engagement), and our latest venture, the Ippimala Third Share Producer Company (Adivasi product marketing). The majority of staff and board members across all organizations are Adivasis, truly community-owned and driven.

Today, ACCORD focuses on fostering economic resilience in the Adivasi community through the Village Tree Economy, the Adivasi Innovation Hub and other interventions.

THE IPPIMALA THIRD SHARE PRODUCER COMPANY is the latest initiative to enhance market access and shorter value chains to ensure self reliance in a rapidly changing economy. Today we bring you this story and our offerings under our brand new initiative.

We sincerely thank HDFC Bank for their valued support in setting up the Ippimala ThirdShare Producer Company. This partnership has been instrumental in strengthening our efforts to support Adivasi communities, enhance sustainable livelihoods and create meaningful economic opportunities.

THE IPPIMALA STORY

Every time a Paniya is startled, we exclaim "ippi"; even young children say it involuntarily, though most don't know why.The elders explain that the Paniyas once lived on Ippimala, a beautiful mountain that was their birthplace.To this day, Paniyas invoke Ippi, calling upon their ancestral mountain for protection from harm and danger.Our name reflects our value of sharing and our ancient history, keeping this tradition alive.

Our success with selling our honey collectively through the THIRD SHARE brand led us to wonder why don’t we market ALL our products collectively. In village after village we discussed this idea and finally nearly 700 farmers from 26 villages decided to form our very own company THE IPPIMALA THIRD SHARE PRODUCER COMPANY. We combine our origins with our value of protecting nature at all costs in our name.

In the coming year we will expand to cover all our farmers – close to 1500! Wecurrently offer Tea, coffee, honey and spices but we will soon be expanding into other local products – both from our farm lands and from the forest.

Meet the Ippimala Family

The Paniyas

Traditionally landless agricultural laborers on tea estates or in bonded labor, we have faced generations of poverty, social exclusion, and lack of access to education, healthcare, and stable employment. A growing movement among the Paniyas, especially the youth, is now breaking this cycle, seeking better opportunities in employment and education. Our Paniya farmers produce naturally grown coffee, tea, and pepper.

The Kattunayakans

The Kattunayakans, meaning "King of the Forest" in Tamil, are forest dwellers who depend on nature for their livelihood through honey collection, medicinal plants, and small-scale agriculture. Conservation laws and displacement have disrupted forest access over time. Our Kattunayakan community members collect natural forest honey and grow coffee and pepper.

The Bettakurumbas

The Bettakurumbas are skilled elephant trainers and forest guides with deep knowledge of the terrain and wildlife, viewing the forest as both sacred and practical. Today, many are moving towards economic independence through education and diverse livelihood opportunities. Our Bettakurumba farmers produce naturally grown coffee and pepper.

The Mullukurumbas

The Mullukurumbas historically depended on hunting and gathering, later becoming land-owning communities with extensive forest knowledge passed down through generations. Today, youth are completing education, with some pursuing higher studies. Our Mullukurumba farmers produce coffee, tea, and pepper.

Take only what you need. Give back what you can.