OREANDA-NEWS. February 04, 2015. South Asia Pro Poor Livestock Policy Programme (SAPPLPP) in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (DADF), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, organised a ‘National Workshop on Strengthening Small Ruminant Based Livelihoods’ from January 16-17, 2015 in New Delhi.

The inaugural session was graced by Shri Anup Kumar Thakur, Secretary, DADF, Mr T. Nandkumar, Chairman, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Mr Sanjay Bhoosreddy, Joint Secretary (Administration and National Livestock Mission), DADF, Mr R S Rana, Joint Secretary, Livestock Health, DADF, Dr. Suresh S. Honnappagol, Animal Husbandry Commissioner and Dr. Kevin Gallagher, FAO Representative, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN.

During the function, Mr T. Nandkumar in his keynote address stressed the need to have a link between farmers and Government organizations. Shri Anup Kumar Thankur, Secretary, DADF expressed his delight to see women community health workers, participate and share their experience, during the function. He emphasized that full potential of this function must be harnessed to draw a detailed demand supply framework, especially for meat markets, so that farmers get good remuneration and goat rearing emerges as a sustainable livelihood source for poor and marginal farmers.

The workshop was followed by a group discussion by a smaller working group with the aim to distil the lessons and recommendations emerging from presentations and deliberations in the workshop. Some of the recommendations, on strengthening goat and sheep based livelihoods in the country, which have emerged from this two days function are:-

1.    Under Mahila Kishan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) NGOs work closely with the Government and can submit proposals. Taking this as an analogy and precedence a window may be created under National Livestock Mission (NLM) enabling NGOs to take more interest and submit proposals to the State Government is consultation with district level officials.

2.    NGOs are interested in building capacities in the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) so as to develop proposal for improvement of productivity of different kinds of common lands since this is a very desirable activity for augmenting nutritional inputs for small ruminants. Similarly developing water bodies in common lands along migratory route of shepherds is another necessity. It will be helpful that desirability of Involving local NGOs by the PRIs for this purpose is highlighted in the guidelines for NLM.

3.    A standardized training curriculum for Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWS), clearly defining the kind of livestock to be dealt with by them may be developed under the Sub-Mission on Skill Development, Technology Transfer and Extension. This may be further followed up by preparation of occupational standards for CAHWS as well as specifications on quality and performance of services provided.

4.    Separate guidelines for sheep and goat development are necessary since sheep rearing is generally a primary vocation of the rearers while goat rearing is a supplementary activity.

5.    Design of breed improvement programme and breeding goats may be decided in consultation with livestock keepers. Community led breed improvement programmes must focus on formation of Breeder’s Association for conservation of indigenous breeds and their genetic improvement through selection.

6.    There is need for creation of a mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination of land use planning and policy making with respect to common land, wasteland and grazing areas. Involved Departments may be Animal Husbandry, Forest, Rural Development, Agriculture & Cooperation, Water Resources etc.

7.    Five Regional Workshops will follow this National Workshop.

8.    Use of ICT based tool for migratory shepherds may be encouraged and facilitated to enable them seek assistance on livestock health and production and obtain advice and information on related matters.

9.    Concerted efforts may be made to tap funds available under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for use in animal husbandry projects.

10.Animal shelters to be designed in accordance with the local agro climatic conditions.

11.For last mile delivery of health care the role of women community health workers is critical and requires sustained support in capacity building. Scope of their services needs to be clearly defined and demarcated. They are to be made accountable to the service recipient’s anchored within community institutions and also have linkage with local veterinary institutions.

12.Inclusion of community based livestock insurance within the framework of NLM was strongly recommended as a strategy for risk reduction is small livestock holdings.

13.Development of infrastructure of livestock markets as well as a conducive policy environment for livestock trading may be considered as priority areas for investment by the Government.

14.Significant investment on development of social and human capital over a sustained period of time would be necessary for the community based model to accrue sustainability.