Animal Husbandry
Introducing alternate and useful practices has brought a fair degree of adequacy for the residents
Introducing alternate and useful practices has brought a fair degree of adequacy for the residents
As the situation was not favorable for animal husbandry, steps were taken to improve the awareness levels through counseling and discussions. Farmers were provided with information regarding animal husbandry during the phase of interventions. In this way, they were presented with an opportunity to boost their income through allied activities like dairy, bio-gas and fisheries.
Farmers were encouraged to buy cross-bred cows for increased milk production. As a part of interventions, farmers visited many model dairies to understand the operations. Experts were invited to conduct training programs on varied aspects of dairy management. Micro finance for dairy enterprise was provided by NABARD under its UPNRM program. An increase in the number of productive animals could be observed in the village.
As a cumulative effect of all these measures, there was a remarkable rise in milk production and subsequently, in income generation as well.
Most of the villagers felled trees from the surrounding areas and used the wood as fuel for cooking purpose. Lupin Foundation arranged several study tours in Sindhudurga district and the field areas of BAIF organization to sensitize the community about the use of bio gas. Nearly, twenty bio gas units were constructed in the village. These units are now being extensively used by the villagers, decreasing their dependence on the trees for fuel.
Lupin Foundation observed many tribal youth catching fish as a leisure activity. The Foundation, with the help of Ratnagiri’s Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Agriculture University conducted a short training on fishery enterprise for these boys. These young boys now have started their own enterprise by rearing fish in the percolation & minor irrigation tank situated in the village. The youngsters are also encouraged to get their enterprise approved by the Fishery department of the Government. That way, they get a valid permission to use these tanks for fish enterprise. The group involved in the fishing activities has recorded a 610 kg of fish production in the month of January, 2015 and expect similar results in the coming months. The fish produced in the village are sold in Junnar and Ambegaon areas. Tribal youth of the village have gained an assured employment owing to this fishery initiative.
