MPRLP UPDATE SERIES NO. 3 BETTER LIVESTOCK-KEEPING
Better livestockkeeping improves lives in remote areas of Madhya Pradesh Chicken rearing. Photo: © MPRLP/Sandeep Khanwalkar
Goats, chickens, fish and other livestock are an important part of poor people's livelihoods in remote areas of India. If these people can keep their animals healthy and get them to produce more meat, milk or eggs, they can break age-old cycles of debt and set foot on the path out of poverty. MPRLP has shown that, with basic veterinary services and sound advice, poor livestock owners can generate a regular income and accumulate savings as a buffer against life's shocks and stresses. Some can even build small but profitable livestock enterprises.
Boosting returns from livestock Between July 2007 and August 2010 MPRLP, working through Gram Sabhas, helped boost returns from livestock in over a third of poor communities in nine remote tribal districts of Madhya Pradesh.
Vaccinating goats Many poor households keep goats for meat and milk, but these animals often fall ill or die of disease. To overcome this, MPRLP has been working with
Gram Sabhas and vets from the BAIF Development Research Foundation to organise and run annual vaccination camps. Between July 2007 and August 2010, 8027 of these camps were held, at which 565,615 animals were vaccinated against diseases that could affect or kill them.
Achievements
Paravet services MPRLP has also pioneered paravet coverage for clusters of villages in Barwani District. Previously, livestock owners could do little to prevent their animals succumbing to common animal complaints. At best the animals became feeble and unproductive; at worst they died, and owners lost valuable household assets. Since August 2010, 208 paravets have each been taking responsibility for the treatment of animals with each paravet covering about 15 villages. They vaccinate, de-worm, castrate and attend to livestock for set fees, working to a code of conduct agreed by the Gram Sabhas. This approach succeeds because, as long as paravets visit villages regularly to provide services and follow up on treatment, they can be sure they will be paid. Controlled and managed by Gram Sabhas and backed up by the BAIF
By working with Gram Sabhas, MPRLP has helped thousands of poor livestock owners in tribal areas learn how to boost meat, milk and fish output. By working with Gram Sabhas and the BAIF Development Research Foundation, MPRLP has put basic livestock services and advice within the reach of nearly 3000 remote villages, resulting in fewer livestock deaths and healthier animals. By working with Gram Sabhas to channel funds through Gram Kosh for promoting a successful poultry business model, MPRLP has helped many women start viable chicken-rearing enterprises.
"With basic veterinary services and sound advice, poor livestock owners can generate a regular income"
MADHYA PRADESH RURAL LIVELIHOODS PROJECT
Chickens Rearing chickens in their backyards also provides households with food for themselves and eggs and chickens to sell. Working with Gram Sabhas, MPRLP has helped 994 households select and breed local chickens to produce more meat and eggs.
Development Research Foundation (which provides appropriate technical expertise), this scheme is an outstanding example of how to deliver basic veterinary services to remote communities in a practical way. Such a scheme can be easily replicated, is transparent and delivers services effectively at prices villagers can afford.
Building livestock enterprises Fish Remote areas of Madhya Pradesh are dotted with water bodies that communities traditionally use for fish culture. Working with Gram Sabhas, MPRLP is helping people to access healthy fingerlings (young fish) and is providing advice on low-cost inputs such as oil cake and rice bran (used as fish feed) and cow dung (used as a pond fertiliser). By August 2010, this project had helped communities get more fish from 817 ponds. In Dindori in 2009, for example, four self-help groups netted fish that sold for Rs.13,000 (£193). In Mandla District in the same year, a self-help group invested Rs.4,200 (£62) in fingerlings and harvested 250kg of fish, which they sold in the local market for Rs.25,000 (£371). This
group organised watchmen to prevent thieves from stealing the fish. As well as fetching good cash returns, the protein in fish improves nutrition and fish-rearing provides jobs.
The way ahead
Involve Gram Sabhas in planning and managing livestock development in remote communities. Strengthen Gram Sabhas' capacity to plan, manage and use the Gram Kosh to provide efficient and affordable basic veterinary services to village clusters. Train a livestock development committee in each village to give them knowledge about the selection and breeding of animals and how to buy animals (their dental health, whether to buy a pregnant animal etc). Mainstream the paravet approach to providing basic veterinary services through Gram Sabhas in government programmes. Replicate successful approaches to launching livestock microenterprises.
But there is also a ready market for chickens in growing urban areas. In Dindori District, MPRLP worked with PRADAN, a local NGO, to replicate a successful model for small poultry businesses. The Gram Sabha played an important role in helping 302 women (by August 2010) to start raising chickens. The women formed and registered a cooperative, and joined a producer company to help them solve problems they might encounter. Each woman works for about four hours a day looking after the chickens and makes Rs.10,000 to Rs.17,500 (£148 to £193) a year.
Contact Telephone: +91-(0)755-2766812, 814, 815 Fax: +91-(0)755-2766818 Email: mprlp@mprlp.in Website: www.mprlp.in MPRLP is funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). This publication does not necessarily represent the views of the Department for International Development.