Tribal Health Initiative began with the efforts of a doctor couple in Sittilingi Valley in 1993, catering to the health needs of the local Malaivasi tribal population. In 2004, after successful community health work in the region, the team realized that to holistically address the health issues of the population, other socio-economic concerns would have to be taken into consideration and improved upon. This was the motivation for starting the Tribal Farming Initiative which encouraged farmers to switch from cash crops and mono cropping to their traditional organic roots, as a means to improve their financial status by escaping debts and forced migration. The Sittilingi Valley Organic Farmers Association was formed with around 500 certified organic farmers promoting the further use of traditional seeds, organic fertilizers, pesticides and manure.