Malappuram Beedi Rolling Women Cooperative Workers Kerala

Malappuram district in Kerala is South India's leading beedi-rolling district, employing over 200,000 workers — predominantly Muslim women — in home-based and cooperative rolling units that produce beedis using tendu leaf wrappers and sun-dried country tobacco. Workers collect bundles of pre-cut tendu leaf from cooperative depots, grade leaves for quality, place a pinch of tobacco at one end, roll into a tight cone, and tie with cotton thread by hand — producing 1,000 to 1,200 beedis per day per skilled roller. Workers are covered under the Beedi Workers Welfare Fund Board of India and receive provident fund contributions, medical benefit cards, and housing scheme access. Primary beedi cooperatives under the Malappuram District Cooperative Union operate rolling units where women workers earn piece-rate wages with social security, distinct from the contractor system that dominates Andhra and Maharashtra beedi production. Malappuram beedi production peaks for Ramzan and Onam seasons and supplies branded rolls to Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Gulf NRI tobacco markets.