Livestock, considered an asset for the poor families, has enormous scope for improvement while uplifting livelihoods. It is observed that even though there is considerable livestock population, their productivity is low, rearing practices remain unhygienic, breeds are non-descript, veterinary services are non-existent, and market infrastructure is often absent. SST focuses on the induction of good breeds, better housing and veterinary care, especially immunization against certain well-known killer disease.
Dairy
Systems have been set up to procure and administer necessary vaccines in collaboration with government veterinary department. Training a cadre of para-vets named “pashu sakhi” to provide animal health care on a routine basis is also an important aspect of the intervention.
Looking at the growth of dairy industry and demand for dairy products, SST plans to initiate programs where SST would intensify its efforts for developing program beyond goat /cattle rearing. In the project location, there is immense potential for dairy promotion activities, poultry, fishery, and scope for marketing of surplus milk through a collective. In dairy, calf rearing is promoted where loan for calf purchase is extended and again veterinary support at door steps is ensured to ensure the health of animals.
About 25 families have been covered by dairy activity. A cluster of dairy rearars is also emerging in a cluster of 14 villages in a contiguous patch.
Livestock Rearing
Focuses on the induction of good breeds, better housing and veterinary care, especially immunization against certain common killer disease
Veterinary support has been created in the form of Pashu Sakhi in each village. “Pashu Sakhi” are Trained cadre of women para-vets to provide animal health care on a routine basis. They extend doorstep veterinary support to the rearers and charge a nominal fee for their services.
Extensive support for reproductive care has been ensured .Families have been encouraged to take loan from groups, cluster or federation for purchasing goats. Goats of Sirohi breed have also been procured from Mewar region of Rajasthan. In Dairy, calf rearing is promoted and loan for calf purchase is extended to families who have been involved in milk production activity (diary).
